Matthew 6:6 – PRAYING PRIVATELY
- Jesus was not opposed to the church praying together. He was opposed to saying our private prayers in public places in order to be seen. Matthew 6:5
- Group prayer was practiced and encouraged in the early church. Acts 1:12-14, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:5, 1 Timothy 2:1-8
- Before we pray as a group, we should learn to pray in the closet or privately. Why?
Matthew 6:6 – 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.
OVERWHELMING PRIVACY – … enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door…
- What does Jesus mean by these words? What are some creative places for private prayer?
- How is praying privately a real test of our devotion?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of private prayer?
- How can we guard our prayer privacy?
OVERWHELMING PRESENCE – … pray to thy Father which is in secret…
- When we come to the Father in secret, we are coming to “the Throne of Grace”. Hebrews 4:14-16
- God is looking for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
- The desire of our hearts should be to abide in God’s presence. Psalm 27:4
- There is no safer place to be than in the presence of God. Psalm 27:5, Psalm 91:1
OVERWHELMING POWER – and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
- Our motive in our private prayers is that God be glorified through Jesus. John 14:13-14
- Some Scriptures that assure us of God’s answers to prayer are Psalm 50:15, Jeremiah 33:3,
James 5:17-18, 1 John 5:14-15.
OVERWHELMING PETITIONS – ASKING GOD TO MAKE SPIRITUAL CHANGES
- Although we have all sorts of promises that God will answer prayer, why are we hesitant to pray for specific requests for Spiritual maturity that we know God wants us to pray for? Examples – Philippians 1:9-11 and Ephesians 3:14-21
- Why is praying for the specific Spiritual qualities of our church family vital for the growth of this church?
