WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.820 Well, here we are at the end of the first full week of 2021. 00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:09.700 How's it gone for you so far? 00:00:14.800 --> 00:00:16.359 I got one thumbs up. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.940 Got a couple nods of, okay, it's gone good for some. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:21.660 That's good. 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:24.379 How are the New Year's resolutions holding up? 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:30.480 So, you got a couple nods and thumbs up. 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:31.059 That's good. 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:34.879 I know for myself, it's felt like a bit of a battle. 00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:39.460 And not because anything's really changed in our circumstances, 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:46.299 but because the change that I long to see happen in my own life and in my own heart isn't coming easy. 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:51.299 Old habits die hard, as they say. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:57.299 And new habits sure take a lot of work and effort to get set in and established. 00:00:58.299 --> 00:00:59.599 At least for me, they do. 00:01:01.439 --> 00:01:05.140 Last Sunday, I encouraged us to watch daily at Wisdom's Door 00:01:05.140 --> 00:01:12.819 and to make it one of our daily habits this year to spend quality time in the Word of God, listening to Him. 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:22.059 He's given us countless promises in His Word that if we do this, we will find such great benefit and blessing. 00:01:22.899 --> 00:01:25.019 And we need that in this year ahead. 00:01:26.639 --> 00:01:30.019 Well, this morning, I want to encourage us with one more daily habit 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:33.119 before we move next week back into our series in John. 00:01:33.639 --> 00:01:39.419 One more daily habit which can and will make all the difference in this new year ahead. 00:01:39.420 --> 00:01:41.739 And that's the habit of prayer. 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:46.480 Every single one of us knows just how important prayer is. 00:01:47.640 --> 00:01:53.460 Not a one of us would ever say that we don't need to spend time in prayer every day. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:02:02.479 And yet it's something that is so easily choked out and pushed to the side by everything else. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:08.939 Hopefully, many of you have had some great minutes and moments already in this new year in prayer. 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:17.799 For others of you, maybe you can't even remember the last time that you felt as if you really connected with God in prayer. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:25.480 So what we want to do this morning is to just take a few minutes to listen to what Jesus had to say about prayer. 00:02:25.580 --> 00:02:27.560 Not all of it, just one occasion. 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:33.180 Who better to learn from about prayer than the Son of God sent from the Father? 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:41.560 And so if you have your Bible with you this morning, please open it up to Matthew 6, verse 5. 00:02:41.760 --> 00:02:43.900 Matthew 6, verse 5. 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:54.780 As we come to this passage, Jesus is teaching his disciples and the crowds that have gathered as well up on a hillside. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:57.780 This is kind of the famous Sermon on the Mount. 00:02:58.740 --> 00:03:04.759 And in this sermon, Jesus teaches his disciples about how they should live in a whole variety of areas of life. 00:03:05.920 --> 00:03:07.819 First, he talks about the law of Moses. 00:03:07.819 --> 00:03:13.099 And he talks about the way that the religious leaders are keeping the law. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:23.639 What God really desires when it comes to relationships with other people and marital faithfulness and oaths or promises that we make. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:27.560 How to treat those who wrong us or treat us poorly. 00:03:27.560 --> 00:03:34.780 And then here in chapter 6, he comes to talk about a number of good works or righteous deeds that we should do. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:38.039 And how we should go about doing them. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:45.599 And specifically, he talks about giving to the needy and fasting and prayer. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:51.840 Let's read what Jesus has to say, starting in Matthew 6, verse 5. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:04:00.680 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:08.680 For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:16.000 Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:27.199 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:34.120 Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:39.100 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:43.240 For they think they will be heard because of their many words. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:45.900 Do not be like them. 00:04:46.680 --> 00:04:50.160 For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 00:04:51.660 --> 00:04:53.780 This then is how you should pray. 00:04:55.160 --> 00:05:00.360 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:03.000 Your kingdom come. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:09.079 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:05:10.280 --> 00:05:12.620 Give us today our daily bread. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:15.639 And forgive us our debts. 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:19.420 As we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.019 And lead us not into temptation. 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:26.600 But deliver us from the evil one. 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:35.819 Jesus begins by telling His disciples how not to pray. 00:05:36.819 --> 00:05:39.360 He speaks again of the Jewish religious leaders. 00:05:40.280 --> 00:05:41.579 And He calls them what they are. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.620 He says, do not be like the hypocrites. 00:05:46.859 --> 00:05:48.439 People who lack integrity. 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:56.319 People whose outward behaviors do not match what's really going on in their hearts. 00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:58.060 And in their thoughts. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:05.259 The religious leaders, He says, they love to pray standing in public places. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:06.719 Why? 00:06:06.719 --> 00:06:13.480 They love to pray in those places because it gives them the opportunity to be seen by others. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:19.020 It gives other people the chance to see just how eloquent. 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:20.860 How righteous. 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:23.180 How devoted to God they are. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:25.700 How much they know about God. 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:30.340 Jesus says, when it comes to prayer, don't pray like that. 00:06:31.200 --> 00:06:32.460 Don't be like them. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:35.699 Truly, I tell you. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:39.060 They have received their reward in full. 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:45.480 Of course, one of the reasons that we come to God in prayer is for the reward. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:47.639 It's for the benefit. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:48.860 It's for the blessing. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:51.199 It's for His favor in our lives. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:59.219 Jesus says that these hypocrites, these people who pray like that, their reward for their prayer is just what they're looking for. 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:01.339 And nothing more. 00:07:01.479 --> 00:07:03.539 The praise and attention of other people. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:06.560 That's all they get when they pray like that. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:12.680 They're not getting the blessing and favor that God gives to those who seek Him. 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:17.379 Because the truth is, they're not really seeking Him. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:21.340 They're seeking glory and honor for themselves. 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:27.100 And then Jesus gives His disciples some instruction about how they should pray. 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:39.280 He says, but when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:45.179 There's one sure way to strip away all of the desire to be praised by other people. 00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:48.799 And that's to strip away all the people from what you're doing. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:55.439 Would that Pharisee really pray like that if there wasn't a large crowd gathered to listen? 00:07:56.659 --> 00:08:02.019 If he was just sitting in the quiet of his own home by himself, would he pray like that? 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.619 Would he pray at all? 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:09.420 I love what John Wooden said. 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:13.019 He was a Christian man and an NCAA basketball coach. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:13.819 He said this, 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:19.160 Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.780 Because your character is what you really are. 00:08:23.780 --> 00:08:26.980 While your reputation is merely what others think you are. 00:08:28.139 --> 00:08:30.360 And then this is the words he's most famous for. 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:36.620 The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching. 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.639 I love those words. 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:44.460 The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching. 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.639 That's when the real you comes out. 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:49.840 When there's nobody to impress. 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:51.480 No one to pass judgment. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:52.440 Nobody watching. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:56.920 It's then when you are alone that your faith in God. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:00.480 That your relationship with God will be seen for what it really is. 00:09:02.400 --> 00:09:04.100 How will you act in those moments? 00:09:04.260 --> 00:09:05.220 Will you pray at all? 00:09:06.660 --> 00:09:07.720 How will you pray? 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:12.960 Generally we don't go through the motions or try to put on a show just for ourselves. 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:15.580 Unless we're trying to fool ourselves. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:20.980 But when you pray, go into your room. 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:22.840 Close the door. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:26.379 And pray to your father who is unseen. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:29.560 Jesus says first get alone. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:32.440 And then talk to God. 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:35.560 That will strip away all the pretense. 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:36.520 All the acting. 00:09:37.040 --> 00:09:38.540 All the desire to impress. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:40.100 And leave just you and God. 00:09:41.800 --> 00:09:43.220 And then here's the promise. 00:09:43.220 --> 00:09:50.379 He says then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 00:09:52.300 --> 00:09:56.060 Do you want the reward that comes from God? 00:09:57.379 --> 00:10:00.779 Do you want the benefit and blessing of God in your life? 00:10:02.300 --> 00:10:04.519 Then seek God in secret. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:10.200 In a place where you have nothing to gain from anyone or anything else. 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:16.860 Now one thing that we should notice here are the very careful words of Jesus. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:19.000 Two things really. 00:10:19.160 --> 00:10:21.320 I'll put them on the screen so you can see them. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:23.259 The first is that word reward. 00:10:23.820 --> 00:10:25.820 Let's consider that word. 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:27.480 We need to be careful with this word. 00:10:28.660 --> 00:10:31.639 In English it usually refers to something positive. 00:10:31.639 --> 00:10:35.939 But in the original language that the Bible was written in. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:38.039 This word can go either way. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:42.319 Recompense is probably a more accurate word. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:44.399 But it's one that we don't really use in English. 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:48.980 It basically means to give a suitable return for something. 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:52.480 Whether good or bad. 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:59.399 You could think of a positive reward or a negative reward or consequence. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:03.180 But whatever you get fits with what you did. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:06.720 Or perhaps with what you failed to do. 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:10.860 The second thing to notice is this little phrase. 00:11:12.420 --> 00:11:13.259 What is done. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:20.480 Your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:24.240 Now in the original the words what is done are not there. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:29.440 It's literally your father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:32.879 But all the translations have added in that phrase because it's implied. 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:34.879 Who sees what? 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.200 Who sees what you do. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:44.139 We don't receive a reward from the father just for sitting alone in private and doing nothing. 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:53.860 And so the question is what does God see you doing in that moment where you go into the room. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:55.759 And you're on your own. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.379 And you shut the door. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.080 What does God see you doing in private? 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:08.939 It's what you do in secret or private that determines what a suitable reward. 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:12.420 Or perhaps even consequence from God will be. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.740 So for example if you go into a room and shut the door. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:22.220 And then watch things on a screen of some sort that you should not be watching. 00:12:22.400 --> 00:12:26.760 You don't get the reward or the benefit that God is talking about here. 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:33.500 Or if you go into your room and you shut the door to pray. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.460 But then you crank on the television or the music. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:42.439 Or you get another book to help you stay focused. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:46.139 And you know in that time you kind of say a few words here and there to God. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.460 Please help me with this. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:48.600 Please help me with that. 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:49.960 Amen. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:56.540 Then you will get the reward or the return from God that fits that kind of prayer. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:00.700 The reward comes for what is done. 00:13:01.900 --> 00:13:07.259 And it fits what is done in secret. 00:13:09.660 --> 00:13:12.180 Think of it in terms of having a conversation with someone. 00:13:13.660 --> 00:13:15.800 Probably all of you have had this kind of a moment. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:19.419 When you are sitting at a table across from someone. 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:21.039 Trying to talk with them. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:24.159 How does it make you feel when that person just sits there. 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:27.399 And kind of pulls out their phone and scrolls through Facebook. 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:30.979 And you are sitting there at the table. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:33.459 And you are waiting for their attention to speak to them. 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:35.059 And they just keep scrolling. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:38.000 Maybe you even ask them a question and they just kind of say. 00:13:38.719 --> 00:13:41.159 Oh yeah, yeah, good, good. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:43.459 And they just keep scrolling. 00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:45.759 Don't even look up at you. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.980 You can tell that their attention is not on you. 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.960 It's on their device. 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:55.460 Nobody likes to be on the receiving end of that. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:14:02.540 How do you think God feels about when we pray to him like that? 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:08.759 Or worse, perhaps you've tried to continue a conversation with someone. 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:11.340 After they've pulled out their phone. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.799 And they're doing a similar kind of thing. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:17.379 But they're actually pretending to listen to you. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.700 You know, they keep glancing back. 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:23.799 But they're, you know, and they maybe ask a question or two just to keep you talking. 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:27.200 But you can just tell that what they really care about in that moment. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:29.580 Is what they're holding in their hand. 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:31.819 And not what you're saying. 00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:37.360 They're just kind of saying the conversational things to give the impression that they're listening. 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:48.120 Again, how much more does God see through our own attempts to pray when our hearts aren't really in it? 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:53.220 Or when we're not willing to just stop and really give him our attention. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:15:03.019 So just going to a private space or finding a moment in which you're alone isn't by itself the silver bullet. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:05.200 It's what we do in those moments. 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:08.220 The reward comes for what is done. 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:13.060 And it fits with what is done in that secret moment. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.200 That private place. 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:17.040 If we desire God to reward us. 00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:18.740 To bless us. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:20.899 To give us more of what we long to have. 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.180 What we're seeking from him. 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:26.539 Then we have to sincerely give our hearts and our minds to him. 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.739 When we talk with him. 00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:30.099 In prayer. 00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:35.500 Seeking God like this is what brings the fullest reward. 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:38.399 The best return from God. 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.359 That we desire in prayer. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:45.219 Jesus goes on. 00:15:45.479 --> 00:15:46.059 Verse 7. 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:47.139 And when you pray. 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:48.559 Says Jesus. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:51.240 Do not keep on babbling. 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.700 Like pagans. 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.820 Or like the pagans. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:56.899 For they think they will be heard because of their many words. 00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:59.120 Do not be like them. 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:03.139 For your father knows what you need. 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:05.379 Before you ask him. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:08.600 This is such an interesting word of instruction. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.480 Maybe a little bit counterintuitive to some of us. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:15.139 The reward for seeking God in prayer. 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.879 Is not somehow increased. 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:19.399 If we pray longer about that same thing. 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:23.259 Or if we pray with more words. 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:26.480 Jesus reminds them. 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.779 God is not ignorant of your needs. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.519 He already knows them. 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:33.899 But we should be careful here too. 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:36.560 Some might take these words. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:38.399 To mean that. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:41.659 God likes bare minimum prayers. 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.599 You know. 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.719 Like God. 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:46.359 Please give me this thing. 00:16:47.119 --> 00:16:47.439 Amen. 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.699 Now that's not a bad prayer. 00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:52.239 But it's not somehow better. 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.819 Simply because it's short. 00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.599 And to the point. 00:16:55.239 --> 00:16:57.539 There's a bit of a balance that we need to find here. 00:16:57.539 --> 00:17:00.199 On the one hand. 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.099 We need to remember. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.819 Just who we're talking to. 00:17:03.719 --> 00:17:04.960 We're talking to God. 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:08.119 Saying the same thing over and over again. 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:10.079 And asking for the same thing. 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:12.240 In ten different wordings. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:15.299 Isn't going to increase the reward of our prayer. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:18.339 Or the chance that we will get what we're asking for. 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:21.259 But on the other hand. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.079 I don't think God just wants us to treat him. 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.960 Like we might treat the person at the bank. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.460 As if we're just here to make a transaction. 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:30.360 Dear God. 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:33.039 I'm just here to make a withdrawal from my account. 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:36.140 Is there anything else you need today? 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:37.460 My child. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:38.640 No. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.220 That's it. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.259 Thank you. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.960 And go on our way. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:46.140 This is about more than just a transactional. 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.140 Or business kind of relationship. 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.180 What does Jesus say? 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.900 He says. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.680 Pray to your father. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.019 Your father. 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.840 This is to be like a close. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.420 Warm. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.019 Intimate. 00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.840 Father to child relationship. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:09.579 Let's not forget how David prays in countless psalms. 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:12.340 He just pours out his heart to God. 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:15.539 And he does use at times a lot of words. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.799 He tells God how he's feeling. 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:20.799 And he even encourages us to do the same. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:24.740 Psalm 62 verse 8. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:28.059 Trust in him at all times you people. 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:30.120 Pour out your hearts to him. 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.759 For God is our refuge. 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.900 So yes. 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:37.279 We should pour out our hearts in prayer. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:40.380 Which may mean that we use a lot of words. 00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:44.400 But not because more words will get us a better reward. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.440 Or get us what we want. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:49.039 But because in those moments our hearts are just full. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:53.399 And we long to express all of that to God. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.879 That's good. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.920 That's right too. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.379 Jesus goes on to give us an example prayer. 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:04.759 We all know and have heard of the Lord's prayer. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:08.579 And his prayer is short and to the point. 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:14.279 But his prayer in Gethsemane was long. 00:19:15.419 --> 00:19:19.779 And he asked the same thing multiple times. 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:24.559 Because it kept rising to the surface of his heart in those moments. 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:29.899 Let's talk briefly about the example prayer that Jesus gives here. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.480 The Lord's prayer. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:34.039 I'm not going to unpack every line here. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:37.079 We could do a whole series of messages on each. 00:19:37.659 --> 00:19:39.319 Going through each line of this prayer. 00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:44.440 But my guess is that you've probably heard at least a half dozen sermon series on that already. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:50.840 So I'm just going to draw out the kinds of things that Jesus says should be in our prayers. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:53.580 When we go into the room and shut the door. 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:57.059 Based on this example prayer. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:03.720 Our prayers in secret should acknowledge who God is. 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:08.600 In our prayers we should seek not just for ourselves. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.460 But for God. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:11.960 For his glory. 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.880 For his name. 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:18.980 In our prayers we should express our longings for what he has told us is coming. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:25.340 And what will truly be the solution to the problems that we see in our world. 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:30.320 In our prayers we should not only think about what we want to happen. 00:20:30.320 --> 00:20:34.580 But also what God wants or wills to happen. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:39.799 We should pray and ask God for what we need for each day. 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:45.279 We should ask God regularly to forgive us of our sins. 00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:51.559 And even go beyond that to ask him to keep us from sin. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.359 To keep us from temptation. 00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:57.139 And to save us from the schemes of the devil. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.879 These are the kinds of things that can and should be part of our prayers. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.880 When we get alone. 00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:04.580 When we go into the room and shut the door. 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.940 To talk to God. 00:21:07.020 --> 00:21:08.280 And I think it follows. 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:12.200 You know we can keep all of this together. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.920 What Jesus is saying here. 00:21:14.040 --> 00:21:18.620 That when we pray from our hearts with these kinds of words. 00:21:18.780 --> 00:21:19.880 These kinds of things. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:23.480 We can generally expect to receive the reward. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.880 That Jesus is talking about. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.200 The blessing of God. 00:21:27.580 --> 00:21:29.060 The answer to prayer. 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.780 Last week we talked about. 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:37.800 When it came to reading our Bibles. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:41.760 How often we should read our Bibles. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:45.340 Let's take a minute to talk about how often we should pray. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:47.580 We all know the answer. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:50.039 What is it? 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:50.639 How often? 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.099 Every day. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:22:00.000 Paul said to the Thessalonians. 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:02.460 One of the shortest verses in the Bible. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.899 Pray continually. 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.599 Not unceasingly. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.619 As in never stopping. 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.919 But continually. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.899 Repeatedly. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.720 Regularly. 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.199 Often. 00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:16.839 Jesus prayed. 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.439 Early in the morning. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.980 He prayed sometimes late at night. 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:23.000 He gave thanks before meals. 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.779 He prayed before he did things. 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.679 And said things. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.000 Paul. 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.559 Another example of prayer. 00:22:28.699 --> 00:22:30.519 Said that he prayed night and day. 00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:33.099 Which is figurative. 00:22:33.359 --> 00:22:34.099 All the time. 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.859 For other people. 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.359 All throughout the day. 00:22:37.919 --> 00:22:40.139 And he told us that we should follow his example. 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:50.520 There's even a bit of a marker here in this prayer that Jesus gives to his disciples as an example of how often we should pray. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:50.619 Give us today. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:52.879 Give us today. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.960 Our daily bread. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.299 Think about that. 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.980 He could have said give us this week. 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.759 Our weekly provisions. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:08.440 But the kind of unstated suggestion I think here is that we ask for today's bread today. 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:11.740 And we ask for tomorrow's bread tomorrow. 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:14.019 And we ask for Wednesday's bread on Wednesday. 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:26.840 I would suggest to you that a mature believer makes time to go into the room and close the door and talk to God at least once a day. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:30.099 Maybe it's not your room in your house. 00:23:30.199 --> 00:23:31.319 Maybe it's a different spot. 00:23:32.159 --> 00:23:39.500 Maybe it's in your vehicle for a little while you are waiting for your work shift to start. 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:48.500 Some of you who live out on an acreage might find a nice spot across the yard to put a little bench for those beautiful summer days and just take a little walk out there. 00:23:49.919 --> 00:23:51.159 But think about this. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:24:01.180 Jesus could have easily said just pray secretly in your head or in your heart all throughout the day. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.120 He could have said that. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:07.279 But he said very specifically go into your room and close the door. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:14.259 The sense here is that this is going to be more than just one sentence or two sentences of prayer. 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:24.339 The sense here is that we should all make a quiet place and space for a little bit longer time of prayer with God each day. 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:28.180 And so that's my encouragement to you this morning. 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.359 Some of you may already have that as a habit. 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:40.759 But if not, I encourage you to make it your habit for this new year to get alone with God and spend time in prayer talking to him every single day. 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:43.599 Pray before you open his word. 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:47.140 Pray after you close it about what you read. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:50.119 Pray mixed in with it as you read it. 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.960 Talking to God about what you're reading. 00:24:52.099 --> 00:24:52.779 What he's saying. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:58.619 This will make all the difference in this new year ahead. 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:08.059 Last Sunday I said that being in God's word daily would make the difference in, I use the analogy of bull riding. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:10.420 In being able to stay on the bull. 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:14.500 Many of us feel like we got bucked off at a few times last year. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:17.960 This Sunday I'm going to point you to Jesus' own illustration. 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:28.360 And say that a daily time of prayer will make all the difference between whether your year ends up looking like this or not. 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:33.679 Most of you can already see where I'm going with this. 00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:38.019 There are basically two ways to respond to Jesus' words here. 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:43.759 Flip ahead to Matthew chapter 7 verse 24. 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:50.279 This is at the end of the same sermon after Jesus has just said these things about prayer. 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.079 He says, 00:25:52.079 --> 00:26:22.059 It says, 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:40.539 Here in this picture, this is somebody who literally built a nice beach house right by the sea in Britain. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:46.740 And along came the worst storm that this little coastal neighborhood had seen in over 60 years. 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:51.680 And as you can see, this home is absolutely destroyed. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:59.740 The first way that we can respond to Jesus' words about prayer that we just heard is to say, 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:02.200 It sounds good to me. 00:27:02.320 --> 00:27:03.240 I agree with that. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.120 Pray every day. 00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:04.580 Yeah. 00:27:05.360 --> 00:27:11.779 And then carry on with our lives and let daily prayer just fall by the wayside and get choked out. 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:18.960 If that's what you do, Jesus says you're a foolish man or woman. 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:27.839 When the storms, the difficulties of 2021 come, this will be your 2021. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:34.039 A beach house smashed and destroyed by the storms of the year. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:37.139 Listen to it in Jesus' own words. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:42.819 But everyone who hears these words of mine, including the ones he just spoke about prayer, 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:48.420 and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 00:27:49.619 --> 00:27:56.319 The rain, I'm going to add, just for emphasis, of 2021 came down. 00:27:56.319 --> 00:28:04.019 The streams of 2021 rose, and the winds of 2021 blew and beat against that house, 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.839 and it fell with a great crash. 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:11.259 That's one way we can respond. 00:28:11.879 --> 00:28:16.639 We can choose not to make what Jesus said about daily prayer, 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:20.700 going into the room and closing the door, a big priority, 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.919 and just let it fall by the wayside. 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:27.800 Or the second way that we can respond to Jesus' words, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:31.519 the other way is to take them deep into our hearts. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.880 And no matter what comes this year, 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:38.660 to fight that battle, 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:44.740 to be on our knees with God every single day, 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:47.980 talking to him about what's going on, 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:52.140 asking for help, for grace, for strength, 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.800 for his blessing. 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:58.100 If that's what you do as a result of hearing this, 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.880 Jesus says, you're a wise man. 00:29:00.780 --> 00:29:02.020 You're a wise woman. 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:04.540 When the storms, 00:29:05.540 --> 00:29:07.700 the difficulties of 2021 come, 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:10.120 your house will stand. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:14.420 The streams of 2021 will rise, 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:17.680 the winds of 2021 will blow and beat against you, 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:20.299 but you'll stand 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:24.779 because you built your life 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:28.420 on the words of Christ. 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.620 You're anchored, you're secure. 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:35.519 And so what kind of house are you going to start building 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:38.680 with your prayer life in 2021? 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:43.240 Father in heaven, 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:45.259 thank you for these words. 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:50.920 Oh, I pray that you would give us grace and help 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:53.299 and strength and courage and faith 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:57.860 to really take them in and hear them 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.360 and put them into practice. 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.900 Lord, I know from my own life 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:04.680 that as much as I have sought to have this habit, 00:30:04.680 --> 00:30:09.940 there have been times where it just gets shoved to the side. 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:13.000 Something comes along, something so important, 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:15.539 but nothing is as important 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:17.380 as spending time with you each day, 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.400 seeking you, 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.740 asking, seeking, knocking, 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.880 as you said earlier. 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:25.860 So I pray that you would put that desire 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.960 in all of our hearts, 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.920 that commitment, 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:31.380 and that you would help us to see it through 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:33.660 and reap the benefit and the blessing 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:36.900 that comes through prayer for each one of us. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:41.100 Help us also to instill this into our children as well 00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:43.800 so that they know and can live 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:45.680 with that sense of security 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:48.160 because they know that you are with them. 00:30:49.040 --> 00:30:50.440 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.680 Amen.