July 2, 2023
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

I. Pretending To Pray

Matthew 6:5
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.

II. Dependency Of Prayer

Matthew 6:6
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.

The act of prayer is a reminder of our dependence on God

III. Simplicity Of Prayer

Matthew 6:7-8
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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

PRAYER IS ABOUT GOD MOLDING ME, NOT ME MOVING GOD

“Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’
For Yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.”

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time
• I confess to an unhealthy attitude and practice of prayer.
• I commit to accept God’s answer even if it isn’t what I asked for

Deep Dive

1. Read out loud the Lord’s Prayer together from Matthew 5:9-13. Discuss how this prayer models what our daily prayers should be.
2. Matthew 6:5 begins with a simple phrase, “When you pray…” While there isn’t a challenge to be like ancient Jews who prayed three times each day at designated times, share what your daily prayer life does look like compared to what it should look like.
3. How does a common view of prayer compare to God being a genie in a bottle? What is wrong with this view?

Springboard

1. Describe a time when you had a fun experience that someone else had done all the planning and preparing.
2. When you pray are you informing God of things you think He doesn’t already know?
3. Read Deuteronomy 31:8. How should this trait of God impact our prayer?