WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT PRAYER !

WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT PRAYER : The Lord's prayer is a pattern in which we see certain principal of prayer. While Jesus was here on earth, He taught much about prayer. Perhaps the best-known of His teaching on prayer is the often repeated "Lord's Prayer." In this brief prayer, we find a pattern for prayer which Jesus gave to His disciples. Because they were still under the law of Moses. Just preceding this prayer, as recorded in (Matthew;s Gospel, on a few verses which also are very enlightening on this subject, They actually are a prelude to the prayer. (Matthew 6:5-13). "And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in this corner of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily or truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into life closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before you ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. PRIVATE PRAYER ! One of the first things Jesus said here was, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are. . ." Silly none of us wants to be hypocritical, especially in our praying. Then he described the hypocrite: ". . . They love to pray standing in the synagogues [buildings that are made by mens hands] and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men." This does not mean, however, that all of our praying should be private. As we look at the early church in prayer in our previous lessons, we saw them praying together as a group throughout the Book of Acts. What Jesus was referring to here was the danger of praying only to be seen of men, and the danger of using repetitious vain words in prayer ! There are those who pray in public to appear really spiritual; to make people think they are real prayer warriors. Those who pray only for the applause of men having their reward, and that is all it is -- the fleeting applause of men. Jesus told His disciples to "enter into life closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret." He was stressing the importance of a private prayer life. Not a public one ! Public-prayer is necessary and vital in the life of the Believer who is the Church. Praying together as a family is necessary and vital to the spiritual strength of the home. But private prayer is essential to the spiritual life of the individual. It is when we crawled in spiritual stature. It should not be just at those crisis times when we are driven to our knees. We should be spiritually prepared for such times through a daily prayer time which we set aside for fellowship with God our Father.