Matthew 6:5-15 – PROPER PRAYING
THE PROBLEMS OF THOSE WHO PRAY
Some seek to be seen. Vs. 5
Some use vain repetition. Vss. 7-8
Some refuse to forgive. Vss. 14-15
THE PLACE OF PRAYER – Vs. 6
Personal prayers are to be prayed in private places.
THE PATTERN OF PRAYER – Vss. 9-13
The Lord’s prayer is a pattern. It is a model prayer. We can elaborate on each phrase in the prayer and apply it to our lives. For instance, when I pray “Thy will be done”, I can ask the Lord to reveal his will in situations which relate to me or to those I know. When I pray “Forgive us our debts”, I should name my specific sins that need forgiving (1 John 1:9). And when I say, “as we forgive our debtors”, I should name those who have hurt me that I chose to forgive.