Prayed all night…
- Jesus did not pray all night because he was a marathon prayer warrior…
o Why did He pray all night - if Jesus was already perfect, what benefit would he receive from such a marathon prayer session?
o Was it very easy for Jesus to pray that long?
o Would it be very easy for you to pray all night?
- Jesus prayed all night because He enjoyed intimacy with the Father.
o It was not duty
o He was not seeking to improve Himself
Prayer is…
- talking to God
o Do you know what language God speaks? If God only spoke Chinese, what efforts would you make to learn Chinese?
- Being honest with God
o Honesty means admitting…
§ I have sinned or are ashamed
§ I am frustrated, or angry, or vengeful, or spiteful
§ I are disobedient
§ I need forgiveness
§ I need to change my ways
In my experience, prayer is a relationship – it is time spent with another person, and that “other” person happens to be the almighty creator of the universe.
My prayer sessions differ…
- sometimes very good
o much weaping, both in joy and sometimes sorrow
o invigorating, refreshing and strengthening
o clarifies my view – I can see truth much more clearly
- sometimes not so good…
o tired and sleepy
o impatient
o seems like God isn’t there
Mix up structure
- all “relationships” need variety (sing a new song)
o try reading scripture (Psalms are great) while in prayer… ask about what you’re reading then LISTEN for His reply
o praise music… many tears…
- default to the Lords Prayer
o Hallowed be Thy Name
o Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
§ Can you imagine how God’s will is carried out in heaven? (Do this NOW because God has said so!)
§ Thy will be done IN MY LIFE as it is in heaven…
o Give us this day our daily bread…
§ What do you *need* today?
§ What do others in your life *need* today?
§ Would you like to add some deli meats and condiments to that bread? (If a son asks his father for a fish will he give him a snake?)
o Forgive our sins AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS
o Lead us not into temptation
§ Do you know your particular weaknesses?
6.20 POOR VS. 6.24
RICH
20 Blessed are
you who are poor, for yours is the
24 But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.
Comfort: relief in affliction; a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants; freedom from pain and anxiety
Contemporary Application: “Developed” nations are far more “comfortable” than 70-80% of the rest of the world. In these wealthy countries there has been a significant moral decline and denial of godliness.
Future Promise: Suffering brings with it an opportunity to find God? You have a better chance of finding God if you avoid wealth?
6.21 HUNGRY, WEEPING
VS. 6.25 WELL FED, LAUGHING
21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
25 Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Contemporary Application: Cable TV, internet, music, movies, food, sports, technology, medication, knowledge, etc… all contribute to the numbing of our need for God. Do not ignore spiritual hunger pains - an honest examination of our spiritual lacking will cause us to mourn.
Future Promise: If you are honest about your spiritual hunger and lacking now, you will be satisfied and happy later on. But if you ignore these things you bring about woeful hunger and weeping later on.
6.22 PRAISE OF JESUS VS. 6.26 PRAISE OF MAN
22-23 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
Contemporary
Application: Do NOT talk about God – but if you must, don’t dare talk about
Jesus. You will be rejected by the world. There is room for Buddah, Allah, and
Future Promise: When you speak honestly about Jesus you are associating yourself with faithful prophets mentioned in the Bible. But if you seek the friendship of those who do not accept Jesus you will be despised as a false prophet.