Lesson Two • The Tone of Prayer
Devotion 1: Prayer
Pastor John Carter
As we walk through Matthew chapter 6 this week, we are going to look at the specifics of prayer. Prayer is an amazing topic to study in the Bible. Prayer is talked about all through Scripture. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see the importance of prayer being a constant. This week, we are going to observe the distinction between a prideful person and the person who intently seeks God in their prayer. It looks different, feels different, and has dramatically different results.
In preparation for this week, I found this passage in Chronicles to be a powerful Scripture to consider before we dive into Matthew 6:5-6. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we read, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
I think this passage in Chronicles is a great Old Testament passage that Jesus will walk us through this week in Matthew chapter 6. The main idea is really understanding the tone of our prayer to God.
You are going to see the elements of pride versus humility in prayer. It is the difference between prayer for selfish motives versus the power of prayer that comes from seeking God’s face. You are going to be challenged to turn from things that are not right. God has a way of pointing out those wrong and wicked things we so desperately want to hang on to. Ultimately, you are going to learn that prayer is so much more than just saying, “Hey!” to God. There is the power of forgiveness that comes from rightly approaching God, and there is healing that comes from walking in step with the instructions He gives us for prayer. This week, you are going to walk through Jesus’ very words on how we ought to pray.
In preparation, start by setting aside time every day to talk to God. I would encourage you to do this before anything else in the day gets started. It might mean you set the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier than normal. Every person is different and the schedules of all do not necessarily match up, but make sure the first thing you do is take time to be with God. As we read in Chronicles, we need to seek His face. Make it a priority despite all the responsibilities you may have this week. If you are a new believer and you are not really sure how prayer even works, just sit quietly, be still for a moment, and ask God to prepare your heart for how you can be better connected and in communion with Him. Ask God to show you how you can improve and better understand how to approach Him, learn, and hear from Him.
I will conclude today with some words from Hebrews. The passage is meant to be words of encouragement. As believers in Christ, we should encourage each other to walk in a way that is honoring and pleasing to God. It is designed so that we would not fall for the lies of sins, but hold true to the person of Jesus Christ. When we hear His voice calling to us, we would not reject it, but we would humble ourselves to His voice and listing to what He wants to teach and share with us.
Hebrews 3:12-15 says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”