The Altar of Prayer Part II

Teach us to pray

The Altar of Prayer Part I Recap:

Don’t put the cart in front of the horse 

I Kings 18 - Elijah and the prophets of Baal 

Repair the Altar

Realign Dependency on the Father

Release the power of heaven 

Remain Steadfast 

Today’s Reading:

Matthew 5

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Introduction: 

Story of the Boiler room- Charles Spurgeon

Get alone with God 

Today we prepare the altar so that the fire may fall.

Pray Like This:

I.  Worship and Thankfulness 

Matthew 6: 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

A.  A Relational Father 

1. The prophets of Baal had relied on performance while Elijah relied on relationship with God the Father. 

2. We come to him relationally as a Father 

B.  A Heavenly Father 

Prayer involves worshiping our Heavenly Father.

Psalm 100

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Gratitude opens the gate and provides the proper perspective

II.  Pray for your spiritual walk

Matthew 6

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

1. His name is to be kept sacred and holy.

2. We are to walk worthy of a manner in which we have been called.  Ephesians 4:1 

3. Live in a way that brings glory and honor to His name 

4. Pray for progress in your spiritual walk 

       1. Power to practice spiritual disciplines in everyday life.

       2. A hunger that desires spiritual growth

III. Purposes of God’s Kingdom 

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 

A.   Pray for Christ’s return and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.

B.   Pray for the demonstration of God’s power on earth now. 

C.   Pray for the lost to be found.

D.   Pray for revival in the Church 

IV. Surrender ourselves to His will

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

  A. This is a pursuit of His plans and purposes for our lives.

             B. This is an exchange of our way for His way.

             C. Putting obedience into action toward His plans and purposes

V.  Express physical needs 

Matthew 6

11 Give us this day our daily bread,

A. Request for our physical needs.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

B.  This should be mirrored with contentment. 

VI. Forgiveness 

12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    A.  Confess our sins

• It is time to ask God to forgive our sins

     B.  Forgive others

• It is a time to ask for strength and help to forgive those who have offended or harmed us. 

VII.  Temptation and Deliverance from evil 

13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 

1. Pray for the overcoming of and the ability to resist temptation.

John 17             

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

Hebrews 4

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

B. Pray for the awareness of the enemy’s operation of lies 

2 Corinthians 2  

11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

C. Pray for the truth of God’s word to be readily on your lips.

Prayer Time 

1. Thankfulness 

Pray and thank God for specific things in your life

Pray and thank God for the work of the cross

Pray and thank God for his favor and protection 

Pray and thank God for connecting you with a body of believers

Pray and thank God for providing for the needs in your life 

2. Spiritual Growth 

Pray for a hunger that longs to be filled by His nearness through His word, presence and prayer.

Pray for a desire to not be stagnant but to grow in relationship with Him. 

Pray for you to have a heart that hates and is sickened by sin.

Pray that He will help you represent His holy name well.

Pray for help to be in His Word and prayer daily, and that He will speak to you. 

3. Purposes of God’s Kingdom 

Pray for Christ’s return and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.

Pray for the demonstration of God’s power on earth now. 

Pray for the enemy to be driven back.

Pray for the lost to be found. List specific people you know.

Pray for opportunities to share the gospel

Pray for protection and fruitfulness of missionaries

Pray for revival in the church

4. Surrender to His will

Pray for God to align your heart with His plan and purposes.

Pray for humility, wisdom and direction.

Prayer for obedience to lay down your own way and follow His.

5. Express physical needs 

Pray and ask God to meet whatever needs you have in your life.

Pray for revelation between a need and a want. 

Pray and ask God to help you to trust in His provision in accordance with His promises. 

Pray for contentment 

6. Forgiveness 

Pray for God to search your heart and show you areas you are sinning.

Pray and ask forgiveness for specific sins in your life and today.

Prayer and ask for  help to not return back but away from the sin.

Pray and ask God to help you forgive those who have offended or hurt you.

Pray and forgive those who have sinned against you at the altar in the presence of God 

7. Temptation and deliverance from evil 

Pray for strength to withstand the temptation of the enemy

Pray to expose the lies of the enemy 

Pray for victory in spiritual warfare 

Pray for the truth of God’s Word to be on your lips