Building a House of Prayer pt5

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (KJV)

The Pattern of Prayer (Matthew 6:9­-13)

Glorify God ­ Verse 9

Recognize His authority ­ Verse 10 & 13

Acknowledge our need ­ Verse 11 & 13

Confess our sin ­ Verse 12a

Exercise forgiveness ­ Verse 12b

            Our previous explorations into the construction of “a House of Pray” began with the foundation or purpose in prayer as REST – Repentance, Encouragement, Strength, and Transformation.  The strong walls of our house of prayer were erected by the process, STAND – Separate from evil, Talk to God from your heart, Allow God time to answer, Never lose hope, Devote yourself to prayer daily. Windows and doors were added into the mix with the passion of prayer, MOVE – Meet God on His terms, Overcome doubt and fear, Vanquish the enemy, and Exalt God’s majesty and glory. The roof protecting our house of prayer as well as offering God’s provision for us through prayer is  SUPPLY – Supernaturally, Unlimited, Promised, Potential, Lovingly, Yours.

            It’s time to furnish our house of prayer by employing the pattern of prayer designed by, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Generally in full gospel circles we are not invested in programmed prayer. Most of us do not script our conversations with God. We probably have all been taught “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” – A prayer which causes me to wonder how any of us can sleep at all. Think about the words to that prayer for a moment. “Now I lay me down to sleep…I pray the Lord my soul to keep…If I should die before I wake…I pray the Lord my soul to take.” We send our children to bed with thoughts of death and tell them to have sweet dreams – That’s sad.

            The pattern of prayer Jesus gave us is GRACE – Step one: Glorify God. Look at Matthew 6:9b where the Lord’s Prayer is located.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (KJV)

            First we glorify God. Next we recognize His authority. GRACE – Step one: Glorify God. Step two: Recognize His authority. We can see aspect of prayer in verses 10 & 13 of Matthew 6.

Matthew 10 & 13 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…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. (KJV)

            As we read through the Lord’s Prayer both verse 11 and verse 13 remind us to acknowledge our needs. God does not meet our needs a month at a time, nor does He meet them a week at a time. This is a daily conversation between our God and us, individually.

Matthew 11 & 13 Give us this day our daily bread…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. (KJV)

            GRACE – Step one: Glorify God. Step two: Recognize His authority. Step three: Acknowledge our need. Verse 12 of this passage deals with sin and forgiveness.  It talks about our sins and also the sins of those sinning against us. Dealing with sin always requires confession and forgiveness. GRACE – Step one: Glorify God. Step two: Recognize His authority. Step three: Acknowledge our need. Step four: Confess our sin. Step five: Exercise forgiveness.

Matthew 12a And forgive us our debts, (KJV)

Matthew 12b as we forgive our debtors. (KJV)

            When we employ GRACE as the pattern of our prayers the House of prayer will be furnished with all good things.

Matthew 6:13 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. (KJV)