When I was in college I took an advanced Math course where the professor did an unusual thing.  Now Math was my weakest subject, and when the first test came I really studied, with a friend, all night!  I did pretty well on the test.  I got a B+ and I was excited about it.  But then the professor, instead of going over the test with us, told us that we could check our answers by looking in the textbook.  “All of the test questions,” he said, “were the author’s examples from the textbook.”  Well I may not have been exceptionally bright in Math, but I wasn’t stupid, either.  I knew in advance what the test questions were going to be, and I had a perfect example to go by.   And as a matter of fact, I never missed another problem in that class.  Having a perfect example can sure be a big help.

Last week we saw the importance of having a time alone where we could hear from God.  In our text for this morning Jesus is praying, and as He does, He sets a wonderful example for us. 

[v.1]
I would love to have heard Jesus pray.  When the disciples heard Him pray they asked, as soon as He was finished, for Jesus to teach them to pray like that.  It must really have been something!  And the answer He gives them contains part of what we commonly call The Lord’s Prayer.  I have divided His advice into four parts to help us remember.  The all start with a “P”.  Although this is not intended to be a comprehensive look at prayer, let me say at the outset that I think that an active prayer life is essential for us to have as Christians.  In fact, every church I know of which has meaningful growth,  where members grow in their walk and knowledge of Jesus Christ, is a praying church.  So, let’s look at Jesus’ example and advice:

1. Praise
True prayer is always sandwiched between praise.
[Howard be thy name?]
[v.2b]
“Hallowed” means to be one of a kind, set aside as something totally unique.
 
When we pray we should contemplate who we are praying to.  Are we praying to an old, weak grandfather in the sky?  To some kind of sugar-daddy God who is there to pass out anything we want, as if we were spoiled brats?  NO!  When we are praying, we actually have the privilege of talking to the God who made the entire world.  Think about it for a moment.  Is there anything God can’t do?  Of course not!  This is the One we have the privilege of talking to!  But let me reiterate one thing.  No matter what happens, remember, God is God.  Prayer  does not turn us into God so that we call the shots.  God is still the Almighty God.  And it is both wise and scriptural to be awestruck by who it is we are praying to.

2.  Petition
By petition I mean presenting to God those things which are needed in this life.  Let’s look at verse 3:

[v.3]
I find that people usually go to one or another extreme in their prayer lives.  Either they forget about their own needs, thinking their needs are not important,  or they spend all their time talking about what they need.  Don’t miss how balanced Jesus’ statement is.
He says, Give us our daily bread.  Did you notice it does not say Give me?  It is plural!  We are not to be so consumed by our own needs that we forget the needs of others.  What a joy there is when, as James 5:16 teaches, we pray one for another.   This is not an option.  Do you ever tell someone you will be praying for them, and then don’t?  May God forgive us.  Parents, pray for your children.  Every one of us can have a real ministry in prayer for our family members.  When you can’t do anything else, I assure you, you can pray.  One of the reasons I am here today is because I had a godly grandmother who was faithful and prayed for me.  After she died I found her Bible and her notes of prayer.  Don’t miss the blessings of prayer!
And look what we are told to pray for...daily bread.  Jesus is saying that God is concerned about even the most basic needs in our lives.  God really wants to hear about those needs in prayer.   There is nothing too trivial for you to pray about.  Don’t ever think that God isn’t concerned about what is happening in your life.  God is glorified when prayer is answered, and sometimes, I am convinced, He is just waiting for us to ask.  James said that sometimes we have not because we ask not.  Could that be the case in you life right now?  Phil. 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God.”  And while I am at it, don’t forget the needs of your church or your pastor.  Some churches have elders in continual prayer while the pastor is preaching, holding up his words before the Lord and praying for receptive hearts.  Let me tell you, that really makes a difference.
 
3. Pardon
[4 a,b]
Forgiveness, or pardon may be the hardest thing we are called to do as Christians.  Sometimes in this life people do some really crummy things to us.  But I can tell you from experience that a life which holds on to resentment is a miserable life, and unforgiveness will ruin our fellowship with God.  It will seem as if our prayers kind of bounce off the ceiling.  We are told to forgive others the same way God has forgiven us, which means, completely.  That includes you friends, your teachers, other Christians, the police, your spouse, your ex-spouse, your parents, or whoever.  A friend of mine once told me that forgiveness is a gift we give others in Jesus’ name for our own sake. (repeat)  Who is there you need to forgive?  You say, “I can’t forgive so and so.”  You’re right.  You can’t.  But Jesus did and in His strength He will help you to do it too.   In a moment we’re going to pray for the strength and ability to forgive others.

4. Persistence
Remember, God is still God.  And God knows, not only the best time to answer, but also the best answer.  And I, for one, am glad.  When I look back over the years at some of the ridiculous things I have asked God for I am glad God says NO sometimes.  And then sometimes God answers YES and we receive the answers immediately.  But one of the hardest times in our spiritual lives is when God answers WAIT.  Maybe the timing isn’t quite right.  Or perhaps God is in the process of answering your prayers in a much better way than you even imagined, a way that would bring Him more glory, which is the purpose of prayer.  Keep on praying.  Don’t give up.  Trust God.  Three times in this passage Jesus makes that point.  The man who needs bread gets what he needs.  And Jesus says that we receive good gifts.  God is concerned about your needs, physical, emotional and spiritual.  You can trust God.  Keep knocking!

Have you been praying for something you need?  Maybe you’re tired of praying.  Maybe you just can’t seem to trust God with it any more.  Maybe you’ve never had an active prayer life.  God knows about that.  Ask for help.  Remember, this is His idea and His advice.  Your life won’t be the same and this church won’t be the same if we would ask God to put that desire on our hearts.
 
In conclusion, let me reiterate that God is God.  And we have the wonderful privilege of talking with Him in a personal relationship.  Remember the 4 P’s...Praise, Petition, Pardon, Persistence.  May God give us praying hearts.