Spiritual Disciplines: The Discipline of Prayer (Part 2)
Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: January 25, 2022
Series: SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Lesson 2: The DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER - 2
Scripture Text: St. Matthew 6:5-13
“5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy 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. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 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” - St. Matthew 6:5-13.
The disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ saw Him do many unprecedented and remarkable things. They were present when He turned the water into wine (St. John 2). They saw Him cleanse the lepers (St. Luke 17). They were in that crowded house in Capernaum when four men, who could not find room to get through the door, climbed up on the roof and tore a hole in the tiles large enough to let their friend down on his bed so he could have an encounter with Jesus (St. Mark 2).
They witnessed that same man, at the command of the Master, stand up on his feet, take up his bed, and walk out. This same Jesus, who was so gentle and approachable that little children felt comfortable climbing into His arms to receive His blessing, also had the power and authority to command demons and the forces of nature. On one occasion, Jesus stepped onto the deck of a storm-tossed ship and commanded the wind and waves, “Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).
Although the disciples witnessed many miracles, never do we read where they asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to perform miracles.” But we do read in Luke’s writing of their coming to the Lord with this plea: “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).
Something about Jesus’ prayer life so impacted the disciples that they instinctively understood if they could just learn to pray as He prayed, they would have the same amazing results He had.
BELIEVER’S APPROACH TO PRAYER
A. We Are to Pray in Secret
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy 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” (Matthew 6:6).
Prayer is not to be a public spectacle but rather should be viewed as a personal visit with our beloved Father. This principle of prayer is also foreshadowed in the Old Testament.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
B. God Will Reward Us Openly
The Scriptures are saturated with examples of secret prayer being rewarded and answered by the Lord. The children of Israel were saved and delivered from slavery and bondage in Egypt when the Lord “heard their groaning.”
“And it came to pass in process of time that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them” (Exodus 2:23–25).
Not many persons would have heard the words Joshua spoke to the Lord when the evening sun was sinking in the west and the battle was yet to be won. But an entire world beheld the wonder of the sun standing still as God hearkened to the prayer of a man who dared to ask Him to do what had never been done before.
“12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel” - Joshua 10:12–14.
Peter was delivered from prison when the church prayed. “3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place” -Acts 12:3-17.
God still provides, still heals, still saves, and still delivers when His people pray.
II. UNLIKE THE HYPOCRITES
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (Matthew 6:5).
Prayers directed to earthly audiences, prayed to impress men rather than God, rarely get answers. The only reward a person who prays in such a way might receive is human affirmation.
III. UNLIKE THE HEATHEN
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).
Jesus warned against vain repetitions and believing that prayer is effectual because of “much speaking.” Attributing the success of prayer to the amount of time spent or energy expended is dangerously close to the false doctrine of salvation by works. Rather, the attitude of our hearts and the sincerity of our faith, along with our obedience to God’s Word, make our prayers acceptable to Him.
The Scripture instructs us to ask, to make known our needs. But the Word reveals that even before we ask, the Lord knows of our needs.
“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:27–32).
IV. THE LORD’S PRAYER—THE MODEL
A. Recognition
Jesus began His instructions regarding prayer with these words: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).
Jesus taught His disciples to begin their prayer by acknowledging God as their Father. We do not approach the throne of grace like an unworthy supplicant but rather with the confidence of children coming to a loving Father. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
We also acknowledge that His dwelling is in Heaven. His perspective is farseeing and superior to ours. He is the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity. We can bring our needs to Him, knowing and trusting that He does all things well and that His way is perfect.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
B. Praise
Because He is high and because He is worthy, we come with praise, acknowledging that His name is “hallowed,” or holy. The psalmist penned these words regarding our approach to the Lord: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).
Even as we would not enter the home of a friend without knocking on the door, we should not come into the presence of the Lord without “knocking on the door” with praise. A grateful heart sets the tone for entering the presence of God. As Jesus gave us the sequence and structure of the priority of prayer, praise comes before petition.
C. Submission
God is not our personal servant, doing our bidding at a moment’s notice! If we really believe He is God, then it follows that we should humbly submit to Him. An individual cannot even repent and begin to walk with God without being willing to submit.
Notice the next verse in our Lord’s instructions regarding prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
Before we bring our petitions and needs before the Lord, Jesus taught us that we must be submitted to His will. Submission must be more than just words. The Lord rebuked the nation of Israel for honoring Him with their words when their hearts were far from Him:
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: therefore, . . . the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid” (Isaiah 29:13–14).
They had not forsaken the form of prayer; they spoke with their lips all the right words. But words spoken, no matter how eloquent, poetic, or spiritual they sound, mean nothing to God if they do not come from a submitted heart.
The psalmist wrote these sobering words concerning prayer: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). Even if iniquity lies buried deep within the heart, far from the eyes of mortal men, it causes the Lord not to hear an individual who prays.
Our prayers must acknowledge our submission to Him, to His will, and to His kingdom. His kingdom must come. His will must be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
D. Petition
What a blessed hope we receive from the fact that Jesus included in His model for prayer a time for us to bring our needs and petitions to the Lord: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
The Lord’s Prayer directs us to pray for daily bread, not weekly bread or monthly bread. He wants us to trust Him day by day and to ask Him daily. This reference hearkens back to the forty years Israel spent wandering in the wilderness, being fed supernaturally by heavenly manna.
New days bring new needs, but He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). We are not bothering God by bringing our needs to Him, whether they be great or small.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7–11).
He promised to give to them who ask. He wants us to ask. We are commanded to ask. James said, “Ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2).
E. Forgiveness
“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
For prayer to be effective in our lives, we must search our hearts and make sure there is no bitterness or unforgiveness lingering there. Lack of forgiveness is one thing that can prevent our prayers from being answered.
If we do not forgive, even our worship is unacceptable to the Lord. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Mat. 5:23–24).
As much as the Lord loves worship, if we come to the altar, the place of worship, and there we remember an unresolved conflict between us and a brother, we are to go and first be reconciled to our brother before we come back to offer our worship.
Lack of forgiveness also prevents us from praying an acceptable prayer of repentance. Jesus made this plain in His teaching: “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25–26).
F. Direction
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (John 10:11–14).
One of the most important functions of the shepherd was to lead the flock, to provide direction, and to make sure the sheep were led to pastures with no poisonous or harmful weeds.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1–3).
As we pray to our Father, let us remember that being led by the Spirit is one quality defining the sons of God. However, to be led, one must be willing to follow.
“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:12–14).
The discipline of prayer helps us to crucify our own flesh and stubborn human will so we can perceive more clearly the leading and guiding of the Spirit. We can be led by the Spirit only when we spend time fellowshipping with the Spirit. By spending time in prayer, we hone our sensitivity and learn to hear the voice of the Shepherd.
G. Worship
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
Notice that in the Lord’s Prayer, we are instructed to begin and end with expressions of worship. We acknowledge the pre-eminence of the Kingdom, and His ownership of it.
We acknowledge that everything is His. All power is given unto Him both in Heaven and on Earth. He alone is worthy of glory and honour. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are His, not just now but forever.
It is important to remember that His kingdom, His power, and His glory are not bounded by time but are eternal. Our faith is anchored in the sure knowledge that our God is the ruler of a Kingdom that is without end.
God is truly worthy of our worship.
CONCLUSION
Now that we studied this beautiful example of prayer Jesus gave us, how do we apply this to our lives and our walk with God?
Prayer is a place of refuge at times, a solace and a comfort during seasons of trouble and times of sorrow.
When we find ourselves overwhelmed by life and circumstances, finding the time and the motivation to pray is not difficult.
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (Psalm 61:1–3).
Times of crisis drive us in grateful surrender to our knees in prayer. But a crisis-driven prayer life does not make for a vibrant and healthy prayer life. There are times and seasons in our walk with God when we must discipline ourselves to pray. We cannot claim to be disciples of Jesus if we are not willing to embrace the spiritual disciplines Jesus taught us that should be a part of the life of every believer.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7).
Jesus did not say, “If you pray”; He said, “When ye pray.” There are certain things Jesus simply assumes will be a part of our lives if we claim to be one of His disciples, and prayer is one of those things.
As we survey the great men and women of Scripture, we find they were people of prayer. For example, Abraham, who “was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23), was a man of prayer. “And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD” (Genesis 19:27). Apparently Abraham had a special place where he regularly went to spend time talking with the Lord.
Certain places, because of how we have chosen to utilize them, have become special to us and have taken on significance and an atmosphere that helps us attain a prayerful attitude of mind and spirit. An established routine of prayer helps to assist us in disciplining our human nature and bringing it under subjection to the discipline of prayer. It may be a quiet place in our home or a favorite spot outside (when weather permits), but it should be a place where we feel comfortable being honest and open with God.
A regular set time for prayer can be a valuable tool in helping us maintain our faithfulness to prayer.
Because of various circumstances that may beset us, there will certainly be times when extra prayer and extended seasons of prayer are not only beneficial but essential to our spiritual survival. But these times of extended prayer cannot be the foundation of our prayer life.
A regular, consistent prayer life is one of the keys to a strong, vibrant walk with God. Without the discipline of prayer, we cannot grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth as the Lord intended us to. We can study the subject of prayer, read books about it, and attend seminars exploring and detailing its glories. But the reality is that no matter how much we may learn about prayer, we are benefited more by a single hour of time spent communing with the Master than by many hours of the best instruction on prayer.
A few minutes of quality prayer time everyday yield more consistent spiritual fruit than many hours at a time separated by long stretches of prayerless days. We must strive to build a consistent, faithful commitment to the discipline of prayer.
“The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained in sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
“The Ladder of St. Augustine”
Points to Personally Consider
1. Why do you believe Jesus stressed the importance of secret prayer as opposed to public prayer?
2. Jesus said, “my house shall be called a house of prayer….” Why do you believe He made this declaration?
3. What are some practical ways the discipline of prayer can be incorporated into a Christian’s daily routine?