DCLM Higher Everyday 2 September 2024 — Practice His Prayer Pattern
DCLM Higher Everyday 2 September 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Practice His Prayer Pattern
Topic: Practice His Prayer Pattern
Text: Matthew 6:5-15
5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Key Verse
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).
Message
A spiritual legend, John Wesley says: “God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” God, our Creator has given us all things that relate to our lives and godliness. However, our prayer must follow a godly pattern for it to be acceptable and potent. Those who engage in prayer and fasting for show like the Pharisees cannot please God and their prayers are worthless before Him.
The state of your heart is very important when you pray. You should never make prayer a thing of competition as the Lord will reject such. Praying to God in secret indicates a practice of privacy and intimacy with God. It goes with total surrendering of your life, actions and dealings to God. Prayers in anger and malice are abominable to God. Remember the Lord is interested in a prayer from a broken and contrite heart. It is important to note that God does not answer the prayers of a sinner, except if it is a prayer of repentance. Do you have a relationship with God? Repent of your sins for your prayers to be effective.
Quote: Follow a godly pattern
Challenge: Build a consistent relationship with God.
Prayer for today: Father, help me to walk with you avoiding hypocrisy.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
