How to and How Not to Pray: Are You Praying for God's Will or Your Own?

Everybody you're listening to a new beginning, which is a podcast made possible by harvest partners. If this program is impacted you, I love to hear from you. So just send an email to me at greg@harvest.org again it's greg@harvest.org you can learn more about becoming harvest partner by going to harvest.org when we pray the Lord's prayer. It's a prayer of surrender today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie explains what it means. Jesus I give you the master key to every door in my life: general over my social media I went to the rollover.

My friendship I want to rule over my marriage. I want to rule over my career, I want to rule over my life.

I want to rule over everything. Your kingdom come, your will be done in God giving us carte blanche for our wants and desires Father's Day for my child reality today on a new beginning pastor Greg Laurie points out that the Lord our model for effective advice. The father to take over our wants and desires to be the Lord of our lives, but it turns out that with the registrable film joy you bring will in line with God. Let's grab our Bibles and turn to Matthew chapter 6, wherein a new series on the Lord's prayer now or in part two, the title of my messages how to and how not to pray.

I was gone my message on not to break but I thought no one would ever listen to a method like that.

So let's talk about how to pray. But before then let's talk about how not to pray.

That's what Jesus addresses in the verses that precede what we call the Lord's prayer.

Look at Matthew six. Starting in verse five and our Lord says this when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray going to your room when you will shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place in your Father who sees you in secret will reward you openly when you pray, don't use vain repetitions is the key.

Then there were the nonbelievers they think will be heard for their many words. Therefore, don't be like them, for your Father knows the things you amenable for US. There noticed Jesus did not say if you pray, or if you have time in your busy schedule and pray always says when you pray he's assuming we understand the importance of prayer. But here is insight that might surprise us that sin knows no boundaries going to go, I get it that the I can send when I go to this place or hang out with these people but whatever think that one could sin when they're coming into God's presence to pray.

But Jesus is showing you can still be guilty of hypocrisy and self centered to the primary problem of the Pharisees and used with the religious elite, the leaders of the day is for them. Prayer was theater.

It was a performance. You know they would stand on the street corner.

Sometimes someone would sound the trumpet and they would prayer their great, beautiful, eloquent prayers and Jesus said you know what God doesn't care about stuff like that you're putting on a show you're praying to be seen by men. You're so worried about impressing people. God is not impressed to hear was a problem with the Pharisees.

They had ritualized memorized prayers that they would pray over and over. It's possible to pray with no thought of God whatsoever.

God doesn't hear prayers like that. But here's something you need to understand why do we pray what Jesus says in verse eight.

Your father knows what you need before you ask all of that's the case, and why pray I have I can change my why pray Evergreen will save you I been wrestling with God in prayer but I hope you lost. I'd hate to see what would happen if God did what you wanted him to do. So here's the thing we need to know about prayer.

God knows what you need before you pray. So the objective of prayer is not to change God. It's a change you are not telling God something he's not aware of prayer is not to inform God. Rather, it's to invite God. I'm inviting him in the my life. I'm inviting them in the my challenges I'm inviting them into the things that I am dealing with. Think of prayer as a conversation between a father and a child. The value of prayer is it keeps me in touch with God.

Prayer is getting closer to God. That's why you should pray so, coming back to the Lord's prayer. He says in verse nine. Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread.

Now we know that this person be divided into two sections.

I pointed out the first three statements your kingdom come, your will be done deal with the glory of God.

The final statements deal with the need of man and that's, or focusing on now our needs regarding discovered that we should pray our father who art in heaven. Jesus did not teach us to pray our deity, who art in heaven, or our God, who art in heaven, or a creator, who art in heaven, though he is all those things. He's your father. It speaks of intimacy that speaks of closeness now. Don't base your view of God on your earthly father. You may have had an awesome debtor still have one or may have had the worst dad ever let your heavenly father is different in every way as Jesus pointed out the story of the prodigal son. These father who misses us. Former gone a father who longs for communication with us a father who will throw his arms around us and kiss us even when we've gone astray. Our father who art in heaven how would be your name. What is that even mean and means honored beer name set apart is your name.

It's acknowledging the greatness of God to pray how would be your name is to say, Lord, I want to send you a part of my life in character. I want to live a life that honors you.

So periodically I need to ask myself as I look at my interests my ambitions my pursuits.

Is this for the glory of God. Can I write how would be your name over this over your career. Whatever it is you do can you write how it would be his name over it. Or maybe the friends you hang out with Jenny write, would be his name over your close circle of friends about the TV programs you watch of the movies you see or the music you listen to. Can you write how would be his name over it.

Listen if you can ask the Lord to bless it, then don't do it you should be able to ask the blessing of God what you're about to do. So you're getting up today to go to church.

Could you us the Lord to bless you as you went to church.

Sure Lord bless us as we go to church and now afterward to be got any can US the Lord to bless the food that you're bobbing up. Sure you can do that to continue as the Lord to bless you as you go to work absolutely okay about this. Lord bless me as I go out tonight and party and get drunk and have sex with my girlfriend and he was not about Greg. You shouldn't even say that I'm asking you question tenuous God the bottom. Of course I would even say it and why are you doing it are you doing Lord bless me know as I rip this guy off and lighting him and tell him this completely worthless object. Just bless Lord know know you you can. You would never pray something like that. If you can ask God, the blessed don't do it if you can see how it would be your name over it, then don't engage in it so he says we should pray your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This reminds us that the primary objective of prayer is the first line up my will with the will of God to praying is not overcoming God's reluctance it's taking hold of his willingness listen. Prayer is not about getting my will in heaven.

It's about getting God's will on earth. If you want to see your prayers answered in the affirmative. That's a secret.

That's the key. Find out with the will of God is and start praying that way you say how do you know the will of God right here in this book. It's right here in the Scripture, the more you read it, the more you understand it, the more you'll discover what God's will is for you. Listen to this amazing promise of Jesus and John 15. He says if you abide in me and my words abide in you shall ask what you will and it shall be done on the a better translation would put it this way, Jesus speaking. If you maintain a living communion with me. My words are at home with you. You can ask at once for yourself. Whatever your heart desires. Edit yours who, whatever, my heart desires something one of those genie jokes right all master I'll give you whatever you want. Yeah, that's what I want God to do what I want this and I want that hold on now go back to the conditions Jesus is that you maintain the living communion with me and my word is at home in you see that's going to change the way that you pray to God wants us to discover his will is sort of like I'm in the boat. I want to get to the document though my little boat cook toward the dog and my pulling the dog toward me for my pulling myself toward the dog will employ myself toward the dock in the same way and for my pulling God my way here God do what I wanted to do. Knowing pulling myself God's way. So, we should pray by kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven as your great glory will have the second half of this message in just a moment. Pastor Greg Laurie talks about his new book, Billy Graham and the man I knew. Billy said to me I'm just a country preacher.

He was just a country preacher but God elevated him and offense thousands of young people, and when he spoke those kids listen, you could've heard a pin drop. Are you certain that God has forgiven you. That's why Christ died on the cross and that's why he rose again so you might be forgiven. You said he will even instant salvation certain new now as you write this instant.

Every link would go on to be the greatest evangelist in history so I write about them a lot more in this book I've written called Billy Graham the man I knew, get to know the country preacher Sean millions come to Christ, Pastor Greg introduce you to Billy Graham, the man I knew a brand-new biography available for your gift of any size and harvest.or will today. Pastor Greg is presenting a practical series examining the principles of the Lord's prayer found in Matthew six let's continue now what does it mean when we pray your kingdom come. Little multilevel request with different shades of meaning, first and foremost, I pray for the kingdom of God. I'm simply praying. I want the rule and reign of Jesus Christ in my life. What is the kingdom of God. It's it's a relationship with God. When Jesus walked this earth. On one occasion, he said the kingdom of God is in the midst of you and speaking of himself. He was there. This is also translated the kingdom of God is within you. Summa falsely understood it to say we all of God's kingdom living in us and we have the Christ consciousness inside and the kingdom of God is with you know let's go get loaded. No, that's not what it means he was saying I'm here and wherever I am.

That's for the kingdom is so really here's an interesting thing when I pray, thy kingdom come, thy will be done.

I'm really praying for the immediate return of Jesus Christ. Because the word that Jesus uses every kingdom is not primarily referred to a geographical territory but rather to sovereignty and dominion. Therefore, and I pray your kingdom come. I pray for God's will on earth that is coming. Revelation 1115 says the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, there were loud voices in heaven would said the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of the Messiah and he will reign forever and ever. That is going to come God's general everything but until that there was a Lord come soon come quickly. The word that is user first-come speaks of a sudden instantaneous coming Lord I'm not just praying you come back bring to come back soon. Is that your prayer. How many of you want Jesus to come back soon razor. The idea do by the way, if you didn't raise your hand, maybe that's an indication of where you're at spiritually because I think when you're actually walking with the Lord you long for his return. But if you're not as strong in your faith that you want to be. You may be a bit concerned about this. That's why second Peter 314 says dear friends, while you're waiting for these things to happen make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. So were praying for the Lord to return number two.

This is a personal request by kingdom come. I pray for the kingdom of God and the rule of Christ in my own life and affect everything Jesus I give you the master key to every door in my life, or maybe a more current illustration would be. I'm giving you my password.

Oh I hate passwords there so many we have to remember that any and all the time I'm clicking. Forget your password right end of the word moron. Yeah, that's me because you know you have to have so many numbers in them and in uppercase and lowercase and and so I can remember what that password isn't, but here's something you know my wife as my parents worked everything.

If she can remember, but she can access my emails.

She can look at anything that I write that mentor. My grandchildren have my password because those the public can we download again on iTunes now say okay so have all these games on my phone.

My wife wisely took all the games off of her phone. So when they want to play with her own.

It's my phone. So no get updates in the middle of the night. The hotel has a new update had a hotel, you will be able to in the morning to tell me this, but here's my point was a Lord you can know my password not by the way God already knows your password even if you have a secure server somewhere. You think you know God to get to any firewall anywhere it is enough to hack it. He just looks at it, but the point is you give it to him, Lord, I want you to rule over this. I want to rule over my social media.

I want you to rule over my friendship.

I want you to rule over my marriage.

I want you to rule over my career, I want to rule over my thought life. I want you to rule over everything.

Your kingdom come, your will be done this and you can't pray, thy kingdom come to you first pray my kingdom go.

So Lord I pray for your kingdom to come. Also, this is a request for the salvation of those that don't know the Lord you know is his kingdom is rolling and rainy in our lives we can play a part of bringing it to others as well. God's kingdom is brought to this earth. Every time a new person is introduced. Jesus's cousin kingdom of God just started in their life as well.

So really what I pray thy kingdom come. It's an evangelistic prayer.

I pray for the rule and reign of Christ in the life of others. God wants everyone to believe in Jesus.

The Bible says God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance is a great does not mean that in the end everyone will believe in everyone will go to heaven. Sadly, no sadly no. Because Jesus said brought as a way that leads to destruction, and many there are that go that way, but narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it so when I'm praying thy kingdom come. I'm praying for my nonbelieving friend or relative that I'm saying, Lord, open their hearts open their spiritual eyes and show them their need for Jesus.

Listen, they can escape your presence but they can never escape your prayers. By the way, there comes a point when you need to stop preaching and start praying were told in Scripture to pray for nonbelievers.

Remember, it says over in Isaiah 5312 that Jesus interceded for the transgressors interceded for them. When did he do that. Remember his first word from the cross. He said father forgive them for they know not what they do and that the right next to believe that we should pray provokes to come to the Lord. Greg Laurie pointing out our prayers are a powerful tool in our efforts to reach friends and loved ones for the Lord good insight today here on a new beginning and pastor Greg will have an additional illustration from today studying just a moment. So stay with us now.

Today's extended length message is being presented over three days here on a new beginning. If you missed any of today study you can go online and look for the title how to and how not to pray. You constrain the presentation while you're online or downloaded MP3 for later. Again, go to harvest.org pastor Greg were talking about your new book, Billy Graham, the man I knew yes now Billy died just shy of his 100th birthday and I was marveling at how many decades his ministry spanned. It started around World War II and grew up through the time of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the turbulent 60s, the 70s with the Jesus movement really all the way up past the dawn of the new millennium trip and I know you have some surprises you're revealing to us drawn from your new book, including the fact that he was really good at seeing where cultural trends were headed. He really did you know there's an amazing video out there. You can Google it were billing spoken Silicon Valley to many of the top technology, people, and he took that opportunity to speak to them in because he was so well-respected we all gathered to hear what he had to say and as always he shared the gospel with them.

But Billy was always an early adopter of new technologies. I've mentioned the fact that he was on television and radio and making films that have the gospel in them long before anybody else was doing it and Billy also understood that the Internet was a powerful tool use that as well. Way back in 1971 Billy made this statement and I quote there will be worldwide lawlessness. Don't be an over emphasis on sex, though be an acceleration of technology", that sounds a good description of what's happening right now and he understood these things were coming any always look for opportunities to use these platforms to reach more people with the gospel. So this is just one of the many things that bring out my new book called Billy Graham the man I knew the reason I wrote this book was to introduce Billy to a younger generation. You know, a generation of people that have heard his name, but they have no real point of reference. He doesn't seem like a real flesh and blood person, but I think after reading this book, you'll feel like you met Billy Graham even spent some time with him and I think you'll appreciate and understand why God used him in such a singular way so I'll send you a copy of this book, Billy Graham, the men I knew for your gift of any size tour ministry. Whatever you send.

It will be used. To reach more people with the teaching of God's word and the proclamation of the gospel. You know that he heard a new beginning were one of the few ministries that actually throw the net as I like to say which means we invite people to come to Christ and many do things to your prayers and thanks to your financial support.

So whatever he can do to help us. It's appreciated.

I will send you your copy of Billy Graham, the man on you yet. It's a unique look and evangelists look at the life of history's greatest evangelist is a celebration of a remarkable life again. The title is Billy Graham, the man I knew can be sent a copy your way as pastor Greg said were making it available to thank you for your donation of any size.

And please know there are no churches or large organizations covering all the expenses notes only through the investments of listeners that these insights can come your way. Each day, so thanks for being a partner with us and with your donation today. Be sure to ask for Billy Graham, the man I knew and we won't be mentioning this much longer.

So contact her soon. You can write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or call 1-800-821-3300 call anytime. That's a 24 hour phone number 1-800-821-3300 or just go online to harvest.org everybody Greg Laurie here encouraging you to join us as we give her what we call Harvest at Home is worse and it's a message of the word of God.

You can watch it with your family and your front room where you can watch it on the go on your tablet on your phone or your computer. Take it with you think the word of God with you. Join us for Harvest at Home harvest when next I pastor Greg offers even more practical insight on effective prayer will point out that God wants us to pray to him regularly see evidence of that fact in the Lord's prayer itself. Find out more next time. But before we go a pastor. Greg has a final comment about personal evangelism and how at times. Prayer may be a better option than preaching. And when you share the gospel is someone over and over and over again come a point where your sermonizing can start driving them away. I was in a restaurant a while back and I wanted order a hamburger, but I got some lame sandwich instead and I wanted to get a napkin and I noticed some guy ordered a burger and it looked amazing. I said Sir tell me is that burger good. He said this burger spent testing. I said, in order that burger next time I come point she staring at me really strangely that she says she is me yes are you, Greg Laurie, the pastor yeah all I am a Christian. I said well that's fantastic.

She says mine does when he's not a Christian I was talking to him about Jesus for years. Just then and there with his hamburger during the headlamps of the poor wanderer is not a Christian. She says say something to my husband. I looked at this poor guy and I said, enjoy your burger. You didn't preach a sermon and of the harvest to St. Paul, but one know you know the poor guys earn enough sermons comes up when women we need to just shut up and stop and start the God will help them to see your kingdom come, your will be done under positive test with me by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God learn how to become harvest partner sign up for daily devotions and find resources to help you grow in your faith harvest.org