“Lord, teach us to pray”… Luke 11:1
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one.” Matthew 6:5-13
Fake News: Prayer is mostly an exercise to make us feel better.
Truth: Prayer is God’s only plan for world-change; it is on-the-job training for eternity.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9
Fake news: God is far away and uninterested.
Truth: God is a Father.
“…hallowed be your name…” Matthew 6:9
“And this will be his name: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:6
“I am the Lord who makes you Holy.” Leviticus 20:8
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
“The Lord your Peace.” Judges 6:24
”The Lord is there.” Ezekiel 48:35
“My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” Jeremiah 3:22
“I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far,” says the Lord, who heals them.” Isaiah 57:18-19
“The Lord will provide.” Genesis 22:14
Fake news: Praying for God’s will to be done is nice, but it probably won’t happen.
Truth: God has given us the authority to go to war, spiritually, to accomplish His will on this prodigal planet.
“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
Fake News: God must be convinced to provide for us.
Truth: God loves you and desires to provide for you.
“ Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12 12
Fake News: God forgives us no matter what.
Truth: Only one thing stops God’s forgiveness – our unforgiveness.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15
Fake News: We win over temptation by standing and fighting.
Truth: We win over temptation by fleeing.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13
“Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace…” 2 Timothy 2:22
