How To Pray

Pastor Josh Surratt looks to Jesus to teach us how to pray.

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One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray… Luke 11:1 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)

PRAYER PITFALLS

1. TRYING TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY PRAYERS

2. TRYING TO MANIPULATE GOD WITH OUR PRAYERS

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)

This, then, is how you should pray: Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

WHEN I TALK TO GOD…

1. DECLARE GOD’S GREATNESS

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Matthew 6:9 (NIV)

2. SURRENDER MY WILL

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NIV)

“God always gives you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows.” Tim Keller

3. ACKNOWLEDGE MY DEPENDENCY

• For my Provision

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV)

• For my Forgiveness

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

• For my Protection

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

For a digital version of the reading plan, visit SEACOAST.ORG/AYEARINTHEWORD