Grace Covenant Church - Charlotte
HOW 'NOT' TO PRAY
We begin a new series today exploring "The Lord's Prayer" (found in Matthew 6 & Luke 11). Jesus sets up the model prayer with a warning: do not pray as the hypocrites and pagans do. They are wrong…they want attention and applause - that’s not how this works! Our
Locations & Times
Grace Covenant Church Charlotte
1800 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
WELCOME GUEST
If this is your first time at Grace Covenant Charlotte, thank you so much for worshiping with us today. Please take a moment to fill out a contact card (in the pew in front of you) and drop it in the offering box located in the rear of the sanctuary. We'd love to connect with you and see if we can help you in any way.
REFLECTION TEXT: Psalm 5:1-3
SERMON TEXT: Matthew 6:5-8
SERMON: "How NOT To Pray!" - Matthew 6:5-8
1. WHEN YOU PRAY (v 5a)
"Jesus assumed His disciples would pray. He had no category a for prayerless disciple."
OT Praying to Father in Isaiah 64:8-9
"Jesus assumed His disciples would pray. He had no category a for prayerless disciple."
OT Praying to Father in Isaiah 64:8-9
2. DON'T LOOK LIKE THE HYPOCRITES! (vv 5-6)
[God is not in the boxseats looking for GRANDSTANDING.]
SOLUTION: “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” (MSG)
[God is not in the boxseats looking for GRANDSTANDING.]
SOLUTION: “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” (MSG)
3. DON'T SOUND LIKE THE PAGANS (vv 7-8)
“meaningless repetition” - NASB
“vain repetitions” - KJV
“keep on babbling like Pagans” NIV
“We do not pray to inform God of our wants. Omniscient as he is, he cannot be informed of any thing which he knew not before: and he is always willing to relieve them. “ - Charles Spurgeon
“meaningless repetition” - NASB
“vain repetitions” - KJV
“keep on babbling like Pagans” NIV
“We do not pray to inform God of our wants. Omniscient as he is, he cannot be informed of any thing which he knew not before: and he is always willing to relieve them. “ - Charles Spurgeon
FINAL THOUGHTS:
From "The Prayer That Turned The World Upside Down", Dr. Al Mohler reminds us:
- “Prayer is not a matter of creative self-expression.”
- “Prayer is not an act of therapy.”
- “Prayer is not an act of manipulation or persuasion.”
- “Prayer is not a news report to the Creator.”
- “Prayer is not an act of bargaining.”
2 IMPORTANT DON'Ts
When You Pray, Don’t Look Like a Hypocrite and Don’t Sound Like a Pagan!
2 IMPORTANT DOs
Remember, you are the creature speaking to the Sovereign Creator!
From "The Prayer That Turned The World Upside Down", Dr. Al Mohler reminds us:
- “Prayer is not a matter of creative self-expression.”
- “Prayer is not an act of therapy.”
- “Prayer is not an act of manipulation or persuasion.”
- “Prayer is not a news report to the Creator.”
- “Prayer is not an act of bargaining.”
2 IMPORTANT DON'Ts
When You Pray, Don’t Look Like a Hypocrite and Don’t Sound Like a Pagan!
2 IMPORTANT DOs
Remember, you are the creature speaking to the Sovereign Creator!
EXERCISE
Reflect upon your actions today and in the past week. Which was more important to you: people’s praise or God’s reward?
1. Make a list of ways you find yourself pursuing the praise of others more than God. Doing so will help you become more aware of your motives.
2. Then, list ways you can live faithfully for God, and pray about these things.
Reflect upon your actions today and in the past week. Which was more important to you: people’s praise or God’s reward?
1. Make a list of ways you find yourself pursuing the praise of others more than God. Doing so will help you become more aware of your motives.
2. Then, list ways you can live faithfully for God, and pray about these things.
TOMORROW NIGHT!
THIS WEEK!
Online Giving for Church Family
Use this link to find out about our online giving option.
http://gracecovenantcharlotte.com/Giving
REGISTER NOW!
Ladies' Retreat Registration Info
To reserve your spot, please register with a deposit of $50 soon. You can submit this 2 ways:
Option 1: CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER ONLINE
Option 2: Place a check/cash in our offering box with "Ladies Retreat" in the memo of your check and the envelope. If giving by cash/check, email Sarah to let her know that you're reserving a spot!
If you have any questions, contact Sarah Head.
https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/896896Option 1: CLICK BELOW TO REGISTER ONLINE
Option 2: Place a check/cash in our offering box with "Ladies Retreat" in the memo of your check and the envelope. If giving by cash/check, email Sarah to let her know that you're reserving a spot!
If you have any questions, contact Sarah Head.