Latest / Reformed Thinking / Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart | John Piper

Transcript

Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart | John Piper · Reformed Thinking

0:00
Welcome to Reformed thinking. This is where we unpack central
0:04
truths for the Christian life. That's right.
0:06
And today we're doing one of our special deep dives.
0:08
We're looking at something really core to our walk with the
0:11
Lord Prayer. We've gathered sources focusing
0:14
specifically on what Jesus himself taught about prayer.
0:17
You know, trying to cut through maybe some confusion and get
0:20
straight to his instructions. Yeah, exactly.
0:23
Our sources really center on Jesus command.
0:26
You know the one about how we ought always to pray and not
0:29
lose heart, right? He clearly intends to cultivate
0:32
a praying people and he gives us, well, very specific
0:36
guidance. Why we pray, How, who for?
0:39
What to pray for? In his own example too, right?
0:41
That's huge. Oh, absolutely.
0:43
His example is well, it's just as instructive as his words,
0:46
sometimes more so. So our mission here for you
0:49
listening is to pull out the key insights, maybe some surprising
0:52
facts and definitely the crucial applications from these texts.
0:55
So you can walk away hopefully well informed and really
0:59
encouraged in your own prayer life.
1:01
Yeah, we'll look at the foundational reasons for prayer
1:04
the practical way he calls us to pray the the wide circle of
1:08
people we should be praying for. And the actual content of our
1:11
prayers drawing heavily, like you said, on Jesus's own model,
1:14
especially the Lord's Prayer, the core instruction in Jesus's
1:18
own practice. Always pray and do not lose
1:21
heart. OK, so let's start right there
1:23
at the beginning, Luke 18 verse one.
1:26
Jesus gives this really clear instruction.
1:28
His followers are always to pray and not lose heart.
1:32
That kind of sets the stage, doesn't it?
1:34
It absolutely does. It's not a suggestion, it's
1:36
well, it's a command. It shows Jesus strong desire to
1:39
create a community, a people who are just characterized by
1:42
consistent prayer. But what does always pray
1:45
practically mean? I mean, we can't literally be on
1:48
our knees 2047. No, no, of course not.
1:50
It's not about neglecting, you know, work or family to be in a
1:54
constant state of formal prayer. It's more about the Spirit, the
1:57
disposition. It's about maintaining this
1:59
inner reliance, this open channel with God ready to
2:02
connect with Him at any moment about anything.
2:04
A kind of constant communion. Like breathing, almost,
2:07
spiritually speaking. That's a good way to put it.
2:09
It's essential, not optional. And that phrase and not lose
2:12
heart? That's critical, too.
2:14
Yeah, why add that? Well, it anticipates reality,
2:17
doesn't it? It tells us prayer might
2:19
sometimes feel like hard work. Answers might seem delayed.
2:22
We'll face discouragement. So he's preparing us for the
2:25
long haul, telling us to persevere even when it's tough.
2:28
Precisely. It acknowledges the struggle,
2:30
but commands persistence through it.
2:32
And then there's his example. I mean, it's striking, isn't it?
2:35
The Son of God praying constantly.
2:37
If anyone didn't need to pray, you'd think it was him.
2:40
Right. But he did.
2:41
It tells us so much about dependence.
2:43
Even for someone who was perfectly human, perfectly
2:45
divine, His humanity relied on the Father.
2:49
So what did the sources show us about his actual practice?
2:53
Well, they show consistent deliberate effort.
2:55
Mark 1.35 for instance, it says in the early morning, while it
3:00
was still dark, he arose and went out to a desolate place,
3:03
and there he prayed. Before the chaos of the day
3:06
started. Exactly.
3:08
Deliberate solitude, seeking God before the demands piled up.
3:12
It highlights that need for focused time away from
3:15
distractions. And it wasn't just a quick check
3:17
in, right? He sought solitude at other
3:20
times, too. Oh definitely Matthew 14.23
3:23
after feeding the 5000 a huge miracle, lots of public
3:27
attention. What does he do?
3:29
He sends the crowds away, sends the disciples off in the boat.
3:32
And goes up the mountain alone. Up on the mountain by himself to
3:35
pray, he withdrew after intense ministry.
3:38
It suggests a need to, well, recharge spiritually, to
3:42
reconnect deeply with the Father away from the noise.
3:45
And sometimes these sessions are really long.
3:48
Luke 6 point Nelve is a prime example in these days he went
3:51
out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer
3:54
to God. All night.
3:55
What was happening then? That was right before he chose
3:57
the 12 apostles. Think about that.
3:59
A decision with massive implications for his entire
4:02
ministry for the future church. So he spends the whole night
4:05
seeking his father's wisdom and guidance.
4:07
That shows incredible reliance. It really does.
4:10
It wasn't a casual decision. It involved serious, prolonged
4:13
communion and seeking the father's will, especially for
4:16
something so crucial. And then maybe the most intense
4:19
example, Gethsemane ah. Yes, Luke 22.
4:24
He's facing the cross. Unimaginable agony.
4:27
He withdraws even from his closest disciples, just about a
4:30
stone's throw. Kneels down.
4:32
And praise that incredibly raw prayer.
4:35
Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.
4:38
The honesty is staggering. But then the submission
4:40
nevertheless not my will, but yours be done right?
4:43
It shows prayer as the place where our desires, even
4:46
legitimate human desires to avoid suffering, are brought
4:49
into alignment with God's perfect, though sometimes
4:52
painful. Will he's modeling perfect
4:54
dependence right up to the end. Exactly.
4:56
His whole life was this consistent display of reliant
4:59
prayer, not because he lacked anything as God, but because he
5:02
lived out perfect humanity and dependence on the Father.
5:04
He's showing us the. So for us, his example isn't
5:08
some impossible ideal we just admire.
5:10
No, it's a living demonstration of how we're meant to live.
5:13
Constantly looking to God, relying on Him, communicating
5:17
with him. Sick.
5:20
Why? Pray God's glory and our joy.
5:23
OK, so we have that foundational command.
5:25
We always pray, don't lose heart, and we have Jesus's
5:28
powerful example. Now let's dig into the why.
5:31
Why did Jesus tell us to pray? He gives 2 main reasons, and
5:35
they're tightly connected to God's big purposes.
5:37
That's right. Understanding these reasons
5:39
really transforms prayer from maybe a duty into something much
5:43
richer, a for God's glory. So the first big reason Prayer
5:48
is fundamentally designed by God to put His fullness on display
5:52
right alongside our neediness. How does that work?
5:55
Well, think about it. When we genuinely ask God for
5:57
something we need, we're essentially saying I can't do
5:59
this. I'm empty here, I need help.
6:00
We're like the thirsty person coming to the fountain.
6:02
OK, so we're acknowledging our lack.
6:04
Precisely. And God in answering, shows
6:07
himself as the all supplying fountain, the one who has what
6:09
we lack, the one who provides, so we get the help.
6:12
And he gets the glory, the honor.
6:14
Exactly our asking actually becomes the platform for
6:17
showcase His greatness, His power, His generosity.
6:21
So if we didn't ask, if we tried to be totally self-sufficient,
6:25
we'd actually be robbing God of an opportunity to display His
6:28
character to us and through us. That's a great way to put it.
6:31
Our weakness, acknowledged in prayer, becomes the backdrop
6:34
against which his strength and provision shine brightly.
6:37
Jesus connects this directly doesn't.
6:39
He he does. John 14.13 is key.
6:41
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.
6:44
Why? That the Father may be glorified
6:46
in the Son. So prayer offered through Jesus
6:50
in his name is explicitly designed to bring honor back to
6:53
the Father. Yes, it highlights that our very
6:56
ability to approach God and receive anything is because of
6:59
Jesus. So the whole process points back
7:01
to the Father's goodness and the sons mediation, ensuring God
7:04
gets the ultimate praise. And this isn't just a New
7:06
Testament idea, is it? I'm thinking of the Psalms.
7:09
No, it's woven throughout Scripture.
7:11
Psalm 50.15 is a classic example.
7:13
God says call upon me in the day of trouble.
7:16
I will deliver you, and you shall glory glorify me.
7:18
Same pattern we call a need. He delivers, we glorify Him.
7:23
It's a consistent truth. God has set up the world so that
7:26
His glory is magnified when His dependent people cry out to Him
7:30
and He acts on their behalf. B.
7:32
For our joy. OK, so God's glory is primary.
7:35
That's clear. But Jesus also links prayer
7:37
directly to our experience, specifically to our joy.
7:40
He does, and this is wonderful. Jesus's teachings consistently
7:44
aimed at freeing his followers from things that steal joy,
7:47
anxiety, fear, sin, and filling them instead with a deep,
7:51
lasting joy found in God Himself.
7:53
And prayer is a key part of that.
7:55
A central part. He makes the connection explicit
7:57
in John 16.24. After urging them to ask, he
8:00
says ask and you will receive. Why?
8:03
That your joy may be full. Not just some joy, but full joy.
8:06
Full joy. Complete satisfaction.
8:08
He's saying that the act of asking and receiving from the
8:10
Father is designed to lead us into the fullness of joy that He
8:13
intends for us. It implies God delights to give
8:15
us things that ultimately satisfy us in Him.
8:18
So it seems prayer is this amazing mechanism that achieves
8:21
both goals at once, God's glory and our joy.
8:25
They aren't competing. Not at all.
8:27
They work together perfectly when we pray, seeking God's
8:30
glory, asking for things that align with His will and
8:33
character, and He answers. Our joy naturally increases
8:36
because we see His goodness, His power, His faithfulness first
8:40
hand. And experiencing that joy in Him
8:43
leads us to glorify Him more. Exactly.
8:45
It creates this wonderful upward cycle.
8:48
Dependence leads to prayer. Prayer leads to God's provision
8:52
and glory, which leads to our joy in Him, which leads back to
8:55
more dependent prayer and praise.
8:57
It's beautifully designed. See further incentives for
9:00
hopeful prayer. Beyond those two main pillars,
9:03
God's glory, our joy, Jesus gives even more reasons to
9:07
approach prayer with well, with hope and confidence.
9:10
Yes, several things that should really encourage us when we come
9:13
to God. One big one is God's prior
9:15
knowledge of our needs. Right, Matthew 6.8 Your Father
9:18
knows what you need before you ask him.
9:20
How should that affect how we pray?
9:21
Well, it takes the pressure off, doesn't it?
9:23
We don't need to inform God. We don't need to find the
9:25
perfect words or use fancy pious phrases to get His attention or
9:29
convince Him. He already knows the situation
9:30
better than we do. He does.
9:32
So. Prayer isn't primarily about
9:34
information transfer. It's about relationship.
9:36
It's about relating to Him as our Father.
9:39
Expressing our trust and dependence on Him, even though
9:42
He already knows it, frees us from performance.
9:45
That really simplifies things, yeah.
9:46
No need for elaborate speech. No, just honest communication
9:50
with a father who already understands.
9:52
Then he ramps up the encouragement even more by
9:55
comparing God to a human father. The passage in Matthew 7, right?
10:00
He says, look, even earthly fathers who are sinful and
10:03
flawed know how to give good gifts to their children.
10:06
They don't give a stone if asked for bread, or a serpent if asked
10:10
for fish. It would be unnatural.
10:12
Unnatural. So Jesus draws the comparison.
10:15
How much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give good
10:18
things to those who ask Him? The How much more is key?
10:21
God's goodness and willingness far exceed even the best human
10:24
parent. Infinitely more.
10:26
It's meant to build our confidence in his inclination to
10:29
answer, his desire to give generously and appropriately.
10:32
He's not stingy or reluctant. And among those good things,
10:35
Luke's version highlights something specific.
10:38
Yes, Luke 11.13 specifies that the Father will give the Holy
10:41
Spirit to those who ask Him, which is arguably the greatest
10:45
gift we could receive, the side of heaven.
10:47
So God's good gifts include not just material provision, but the
10:51
very presence and power of his Spirit in our lives.
10:54
That's incredible. It truly is.
10:56
And then there's one more piece. Prayers role in achieving God's
11:00
bigger purposes. How so?
11:02
If God's plan is sovereign and certain, where does prayer fit
11:06
in? It's a wonderful mystery.
11:07
Even though God's Kingdom will certainly triumph, Jesus still
11:11
commands his followers, For example in Matthew 9.38, to pray
11:15
earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
11:18
into his harvest. So God's plan includes using our
11:21
prayers to accomplish His goals. Yes.
11:23
He hasn't just ordained the ends, he's ordained the means.
11:27
And prayer is one of his primary ordained means.
11:30
The success of the harvest is certain in his plan, but he
11:33
intends to bring it about in part through the prayers of his
11:36
people asking for workers. So our praying for His Kingdom
11:39
to advance isn't just wishful thinking, it's participating in
11:42
the way God has chosen to work out His sovereign plan.
11:45
Exactly. It's not that our prayers change
11:47
God's ultimate plan, but rather that His plan includes our
11:51
prayers as instrumental in its unfolding.
11:54
Wow, that makes prayer feel even more significant.
11:57
It's not just an obligation, it's a gift, an invitation to
12:00
partner with God and what He's doing in the.
12:02
World it really is. He stirs in us the desire to ask
12:05
for the very things He intends to do.
12:07
That's grace upon grace. Three how to pray, principles
12:12
and practice. OK, so we've got the why, God's
12:14
glory, our joy, and these encouraging truths.
12:18
Now let's dive into the how. Jesus was very practical.
12:21
He gave specific instructions on the manner in which we should
12:24
approach God. A simplicity, not empty phrases.
12:28
Right. One of the first things he
12:29
addresses is, well, what not to do.
12:31
Matthew 6.7. He warns against heaping up
12:34
empty phrases as the Gentiles do.
12:36
What do you mean by empty phrases like mindless
12:39
repetition? Exactly.
12:40
Or, like magical incantations, the surrounding cultures often
12:43
believe that the sheer volume of words or repeating certain
12:46
phrases over and over could somehow manipulate their gods or
12:49
force them to listen. Thinking they'd be heard for
12:51
their many words. Yes, and Jesus says do not be
12:55
like them. Why?
12:57
Because, as we just discussed, your Father knows what you need
13:00
before you ask Him. So, because God already knows,
13:03
there's no need for that kind of verbal barrage.
13:05
Precisely. It encourages simple, direct,
13:08
sincere communication. It's about the heart connecting
13:11
with God, not about trying to impress him or wear him down
13:14
with endless, meaningless repetition.
13:16
Does that mean prayers have to be short?
13:18
Not necessarily. Jesus himself prayed all night.
13:21
The point isn't length, it's authenticity versus mechanical
13:24
repetition or praying and just to be heard by others, which she
13:27
also condemns. It's about avoiding vain,
13:29
thoughtless babbling. Sincerity matters more than
13:32
style or quantity. B with perseverance.
13:36
OK, so simplicity and sincerity are key.
13:39
But then Jesus also seems to teach persistence, doesn't he?
13:42
Like in the parable of the persistent widow or the friend
13:44
at midnight. How does that fit with avoiding
13:47
empty phrases? That's a great.
13:48
Question. It's a balance.
13:50
The parables Luke 18 and Luke 11 definitely encourage
13:53
perseverance, sometimes over a long time, especially when we're
13:56
seeking something significant for God's justice or His
13:59
Kingdom. So what's the difference between
14:00
persistence and heaping up empty phrases the.
14:03
Motivation and the understanding empty phrases are about trying
14:08
to manipulate God through repetition.
14:10
Persistence, as Jesus teaches it, isn't about wearing God down
14:13
as if he's unwilling. The unjust judge and the sleepy
14:17
friend in the parables are contrasts, not comparisons to
14:20
God. So the point is if even they
14:24
eventually respond to persistence.
14:26
How much more will our loving, just, heavenly Father respond to
14:29
the persistent cries of his children?
14:31
It's an argument from lesser to greater, designed to build our
14:33
faith in God's willingness not to suggest He's reluctant.
14:36
So persevering in prayer isn't about breaking God's resistance.
14:40
No, it's more about expressing our continued dependence, our
14:43
deep conviction that He is our only hope.
14:46
It's about waiting patiently on his wisdom for the right timing
14:49
and the right answer. And maybe it shapes us in the
14:51
process, teaches us patience, aligns our desires more with
14:55
His. I think that's definitely part
14:56
of it. Continued seeking keeps our
14:58
focus on Him and deepens our trust even when the answer is
15:02
delayed. It shows where our true hope
15:04
lies. See through His death and in His
15:07
name. Now, a really crucial aspect of
15:09
how we pray is understanding the basis of our approach to God.
15:13
Where does our confidence come from?
15:15
It comes entirely from Jesus Christ, specifically from His
15:18
death and resurrection. That's the foundation.
15:20
How so? Well, sin creates A barrier
15:23
between US and a holy God. His justice demands a penalty.
15:27
Without Christ's sacrifice, His atoning death that paid that
15:30
penalty, we would have no right to approach God, no basis to
15:33
expect Him to hear us favorably. Our sin, God's wrath.
15:37
These were insurmountable obstacles.
15:39
But Jesus's finished work removed those obstacles.
15:41
Yes, He bridged the gap. He opened the way.
15:44
He is the reason we can draw near to God with confidence.
15:46
Which leads to the idea of praying in His name.
15:49
This is more than just tacking the phrase under the end of our
15:52
prayers, isn't it? Oh much more.
15:54
It's not a magic formula. Praying in Jesus name is a
15:58
profound statement of faith. It means we are approaching the
16:01
Father on the basis of who Jesus is and what he has done.
16:04
Relying on his merit, not our own.
16:06
Exactly. We're acknowledging He is our
16:08
mediator, our high priest, our advocate.
16:10
We come under His authority, covered by His righteousness,
16:13
accessing the Father only through Him.
16:15
Looks like we have his permission, his standing.
16:17
Precisely and affirms our belief that Jesus is the only way to
16:20
the Father. That's why he could say again in
16:23
John 1413, Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.
16:27
It connects the asking directly to his person and work.
16:30
And ultimately back to the Father's glory, that the Father
16:33
may be glorified in the Son. Yes, it all ties together
16:36
beautifully. Our access is through Christ,
16:38
the answers come through Christ, and the glory goes to the Father
16:41
through Christ. D With faith in God.
16:43
OK, another element Jesus stresses is praying with faith.
16:47
Mark 11.24 says whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have
16:50
received it and it will be yours.
16:53
That sounds, well, almost like a blank check.
16:55
How should we understand that? That verse and others like it,
16:58
needs careful handling. It's crucial to see it's about
17:01
faith in God, not sort of faith in our faith.
17:04
What's the difference? Well, some misunderstanding
17:07
suggests that if you just generate enough positive
17:09
thinking or mental energy, enough faith as a force, you can
17:13
make things happen. That puts the power in US.
17:15
And can lead to guilt if prayers aren't answered the way we
17:18
expect. I didn't have enough faith.
17:20
Exactly. But Jesus directs our faith
17:23
toward God. It's about trusting his
17:25
character, his wisdom, his power, his promises.
17:27
Not the intensity of our own belief.
17:29
It's confidence in the one we're asking.
17:31
And Jesus puts a condition on it too, doesn't he in John 15?
17:33
Yes, John 15.7 is vital context. If you abide in me and my words
17:38
abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for
17:41
you. If you abide in me and my words
17:43
abide in you, that's a significant if.
17:46
It is. It means our desires themselves
17:49
are being shaped by our relationship with Christ and by
17:51
His teaching. As His words saturate our hearts
17:54
and minds, what we wish for begins to align with what He
17:58
wishes for. So the promise isn't for
18:00
fulfilling just any random desire, but for desires that are
18:03
formed by abiding in Him. Correct.
18:06
Praying in faith, then, means trusting God will hear us and
18:09
act according to His perfect wisdom and love, which are
18:12
revealed in His Word. The answer might be exactly what
18:15
we asked for, or it might be something different, something
18:19
ultimately better for us, even if it doesn't feel like it at
18:21
the time. Maybe it's spiritual growth
18:23
instead of relief from a trial. Maybe it's a no or a wait
18:26
because He sees the picture picture.
18:28
So Faith trusts his wisdom even in the answer we didn't expect.
18:32
Yes, it trusts him and there are moral conditions too.
18:36
We can't expect God to answer prayers if we're harboring
18:39
unforgiveness, for example. Mark 11.25 links praying and
18:42
forgiving very closely. Our heart attitude matters E not
18:46
for the praise of others against hypocrisy.
18:49
One last point on how to pray, and Jesus seemed really
18:51
passionate about this one concerns our motivation.
18:54
It's about why we're praying, who we're praying for.
18:57
Absolutely. He delivers a blistering
19:00
critique of hypocrisy and prayer in Matthew 6.
19:03
He points to those who love to stand and pray in the synagogues
19:06
and at the street corners that they may be seen by others.
19:09
Praying to be noticed, to look spiritual.
19:11
Right. And Jesus says very bluntly,
19:14
truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
19:18
Meaning the praise of people was what they wanted and that's all
19:21
they're going to get, nothing from God.
19:24
Exactly. They got their fleeting human
19:25
applause, but forfeited the true reward that comes from the
19:28
Father. It's a stark warning about
19:31
performing spirituality. So what's the alternative he
19:34
prescribes? But when you pray, go into your
19:37
room and shut the door, and pray to your Father, who is in
19:39
secret. Privacy seclusion, yes.
19:42
And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
19:44
The emphasis is on praying to God who sees the heart, not for
19:48
a human audience. Does this mean all public prayer
19:50
is wrong? The early church certainly
19:53
prayed together. No, it's not condemning
19:55
corporate prayer. The issue is the motivation of
19:58
the heart, whether in public or private.
20:01
Is our prayer directed genuinely toward God, seeking his approval
20:05
alone? Or are we subtly, or maybe not
20:07
so subtly, playing to the gallery?
20:10
It's about authenticity versus performance.
20:13
Precisely. Jesus uses strong language
20:15
against hypocrisy, blind guides, whitewashed tombs.
20:19
He wants genuine heart, connection with the Father,
20:21
cherishing God himself, not the admiration of others.
20:24
We must avoid turning this intimate act of communion into a
20:27
platform for self promotion. 4 For whom to pray a comprehensive
20:33
scope. OK, we've looked at why and how.
20:35
Now Who should we be praying for?
20:37
Jesus expands the circle quite broadly, doesn't he?
20:40
He really does. The scope is remarkably
20:42
comprehensive and interestingly, it starts with ourselves.
20:44
Praying for ourselves. Doesn't that sound a bit
20:46
selfish? Not in the way Jesus frames it.
20:48
It's not self centeredness, it's realism.
20:50
It's acknowledging our own weakness, our tendency towards
20:53
sin, our desperate need for God's grace just to stand firm
20:57
and obey Him. Like in the Lord's Prayer, lead
21:00
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
21:03
That's a prayer for ourselves. Exactly.
21:05
It starts with recognizing our own frailty and our total
21:08
dependence on God's preserving power.
21:11
We need His help daily to navigate temptations and stay
21:14
true to Him. So praying for our own spiritual
21:17
health and protection is foundational.
21:19
Then beyond ourselves. The circle widens immediately to
21:22
other followers of Jesus. We're part of a body, a family.
21:25
Prayer is a primary way. We care for one another, bear
21:28
each other's burdens, support each other spiritually.
21:31
What kind of things should we pray for other believers?
21:33
Jesus's own prayer in John 17 gives a great model.
21:36
He prayed for their unity, their protection from the evil one,
21:40
their sanctification being made holy through God's truth.
21:43
So we pray for their growth, their strength and trials,
21:46
wisdom, boldness and witness, their overall spiritual
21:50
well-being. OK ourselves fellow believers
21:52
then. Then the circle expands to the
21:55
entire world, anyone who doesn't yet know or honor God.
21:59
When we pray Hallowed Be Your Name, that's implicitly a prayer
22:02
for everyone to come to Revere God.
22:04
We pray for the lost, for those hostile to the Gospel, that
22:07
their eyes would be open. No one is excluded.
22:10
No one, which leads to perhaps the most challenging
22:13
instruction. Praying for enemies.
22:15
Yes, Jesus is unmistakable. Matthew 5.44 Love your enemies
22:19
and pray for those who persecute you.
22:21
And Luke 6.28 ads bless those who curse you.
22:24
Play for those who abuse you. That's hard.
22:26
It goes against every natural instinct when someone is hurting
22:29
you. It absolutely does.
22:30
It's radically countercultural and radically counterintuitive,
22:33
but it's a clear command. What does praying for an enemy
22:36
even look like? What are we asking God to do for
22:38
them? Well, ultimately we should
22:40
desire their repentance and salvation just as God desires
22:43
it. We pray for God's mercy to reach
22:45
them, for their hearts to be changed.
22:48
We might pray for circumstances that lead them to recognize
22:50
their need for God. And importantly, praying for
22:53
them changes us. It helps prevent bitterness from
22:56
taking root in our own hearts. It fosters forgiveness.
22:59
It aligns our hearts more with gods who sends rain on the just
23:02
and the unjust. It's a powerful spiritual
23:05
discipline that reflects the character of Christ himself who
23:08
prayed. Father, forgive them from the
23:10
cross. So it's about reflecting God's
23:12
love, even to those who act hatefully.
23:14
Yes, our love expressed in prayer should extend even to
23:17
adversaries. And finally, looping back to
23:20
God's big plan. We're also specifically told to
23:22
pray for laborers for the harvest, as we mentioned from
23:25
Matthew 9, praying for more workers, for missionaries, for
23:28
pastors, for evangelists, to take the gospel to all nations.
23:32
So the scope is huge. Ourselves, fellow Christians,
23:35
the whole world, even our enemies, and specifically for
23:37
the progress of the Gospel. V What to pray for?
23:41
The Lord's Prayer is a model and more.
23:43
All right, last section. We know why, how and for whom.
23:47
Now what should we actually pray for?
23:49
Jesus gives us that incredible model prayer, the Lord's Prayer.
23:52
Yes, Matthew 6.9213. It's not just a prayer to be
23:56
recited by rote, though it can be, but it's really a pattern
23:59
for prayer, a summary of the kinds of things that should be
24:02
filling our prayers. It teaches us priorities A
24:05
petitions from the Lord's Prayer.
24:07
OK, let's walk through it. It starts our Father in heaven,
24:10
hallowed be your name. What does hallowed mean here?
24:13
It means holy, set apart, regarded with deepest reverence.
24:17
So we're praying that God's name, his character, his
24:20
reputation, everything he is would be honored and cherished
24:23
above all. Else I everyone everywhere.
24:26
Yes, it's a prayer for God's glory to be recognized and
24:29
pursued universally. It puts God's honor right at the
24:32
top of our prayer list. Then your Kingdom come.
24:35
What are we asking for there? We're praying for God's reign,
24:38
His rule, His saving and purifying influence, influence
24:41
to advance in the world, for it to hold sway in our own lives
24:45
more fully. And ultimately for Christ's
24:47
return, when his Kingdom will be fully established over all
24:50
creation. Exactly.
24:51
It's a prayer for His sovereignty to be manifest,
24:53
overcoming all opposition, bringing His perfect justice and
24:56
peace. Next, your will be done on earth
25:00
as it is in heaven. This flows right from the
25:02
Kingdom coming. We're asking that God's desires,
25:05
His commands, His purposes would be carried out here on earth
25:08
with the same readiness, the same completeness, the same joy
25:13
as they are by the angels in heaven.
25:14
So it's a prayer for obedience, our own and others, a yielding
25:18
of our will to His. Yes, a desire for total
25:21
alignment with His perfect will in every area.
25:24
Then the focus shifts slightly. Give us this day Our Daily
25:27
Bread. Now we move to our needs.
25:29
This is a simple dependent petition for God to provide what
25:32
we need for this day, physically, mentally,
25:35
materially, enough sustenance to live and serve Him today.
25:39
Not hoarding, not excessive wealth, but daily provision,
25:42
trusting him for today. Yes, it fosters dependence and
25:45
guards against anxiety about the future or greed in the present.
25:48
Then and forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our
25:52
debtors. This is crucial.
25:53
We're asking God to apply Christ's forgiveness to our
25:56
ongoing sins, our daily failures, debts against His
25:59
Holiness. We acknowledge our constant need
26:01
for His grace. And that challenging condition
26:04
is right there, as we also have forgiven.
26:08
Yes, it links receiving God's forgiveness intimately with our
26:12
willingness to extend forgiveness to others who have
26:14
wronged us. It's not that our forgiveness
26:17
earns God's, but it demonstrates whether we've truly understood
26:20
and received His grace ourselves.
26:23
An unforgiving heart questions the reality of its own
26:25
repentance. A daily need for forgiveness and
26:28
a daily call to forgive. Indeed.
26:31
And finally. And lead us not into temptation,
26:33
but deliver us from evil or the evil 1.
26:36
Right. This is a plea for God's
26:38
protection. Recognizing our vulnerability,
26:40
we asked Him to steer us away from situations of severe
26:43
testing that could overwhelm us and to rescue us from the snares
26:46
and attacks of Satan and the power of sin in the world.
26:49
A prayer for preservation and spiritual safety, Yes.
26:52
Keep us from falling. Protect our witness.
26:55
Guard our hearts. Be other subjects of prayer.
26:58
So the Lord's Prayer gives this amazing framework.
27:00
But Jesus mentioned other things too, right?
27:02
He did. We already touched on asking for
27:03
the Holy Spirit, which Luke highlights as a primary good
27:06
gift the Father loves to give. And those broader promises we
27:09
discussed. Yes, like whatever you ask in my
27:12
name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified.
27:15
John 14.13. And ask and you will receive
27:19
that your joy may be full. John 16.24.
27:23
But always remembering the context, right abiding in Him,
27:26
praying according to His will, seeking His glory.
27:29
Absolutely. These aren't unconditional
27:31
guarantees for anything we might whimsically desire.
27:34
They are massive encouragements to pray within the framework of
27:37
His revealed will and character, trusting His wisdom.
27:40
And the general promise of good things from the Father in
27:43
Matthew 7. Yes, reaffirming his generous
27:45
nature and his desire to bless his children appropriately.
27:48
And it circles back again, doesn't it?
27:50
Even Lord's Prayer shows God intends to use our prayers for
27:53
His big purposes. It really does.
27:55
Praying your Kingdom come, your will be done, hallowed to be
27:58
your name, and even asking for laborers.
28:01
These show that God invites us, through prayer, to participate
28:04
in the unfolding of His sovereign redemptive plan for
28:07
the entire universe. So while His Kingdom is certain,
28:10
our prayers are part of the ordained means by which it comes
28:13
about. Precisely.
28:15
It's not an afterthought. It's woven into the fabric of
28:18
how God works. Our prayers matter in His grand
28:21
design Outro. Wow, that really was a deep dive
28:25
into what Jesus taught about prayer.
28:27
It's so much richer than just, you know, asking for stuff.
28:29
It really is. We've seen His command always
28:32
pray, don't give up. We've seen the reasons, God's
28:35
glory, our deepest joy. We've seen how to pray simply,
28:38
persistently, through Christ, with faith for God's eyes only.
28:43
And the scope ourselves, believers, the world enemies,
28:46
the harvest and the content, patterned beautifully by the
28:50
Lord's Prayer, but encompassing all of God's good gifts and
28:52
purposes. And maybe the most encouraging
28:54
thing is seeing prayer not just as our duty, but as God's
28:56
gracious gift. He's the one who awakens the
28:58
desire to pray in us. He.
29:00
Prompts the very prayers he intends to answer.
29:02
Exactly aligning our desires with His will, drawing us into
29:05
His purposes. So when we pray according to His
29:07
will, we can have confidence because our prayers are part of
29:09
His unstoppable plan. That's a powerful thought to
29:12
carry into your own prayer times.
29:14
We really hope this exploration of Jesus own words gives you
29:19
clear guidance, maybe some fresh perspective, and definitely
29:23
renewed zeal for your conversations with your Father.
29:26
Yeah, think about how even your simplest prayers, shaped by his
29:29
teaching, are part of something cosmic, something eternal.
29:32
He delights to hear you. Thank you so much for joining us
29:35
for this deep dive. We look forward to our next time
29:37
together on Reformed Thinking.