Praying According to the

Father’s WillPraise and Prayer Service

Sunday evening, October 11, 2009Video Hymn: A Perfect Heart

“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name,

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven…” Matthew 6:9, 10

If our greatest desire is to pray in a way that we are confident the Lord will hear and answer; then our praying must be according to the Father’s will. Consider the following Biblical teachings:

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18 - We must repent and abstain from all known sin.

“Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24Jesus made it clear that offences between believers hinder prayers.

“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” John 4:23-24 - Keeping Jesus’ teachings is essential to pleasing the Father.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - This example of Godly character was modeled for us by Jesus, and is to be the goal for our daily conduct.

In addition to the conducting our lives in a Godly way, how else can we be sure we are praying according to the will of the Father? Here are some of the specific ways the Bible says we should pray:

Pray for our nation: We must humble ourselves, seek God’s face, turn from our wicked ways, and ask Him to forgive our sin and heal our land, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Pray for our leaders: 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul urges prayer for kings and all those in authority. If leaders do not follow the ways of the Lord, we should pray for a revelation of truth to them that they may change and rule righteously.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Psalm 122:6 instructs us to pray for Jerusalem. The people that bless Israel will be blessed and those that curse Israel will be cursed, Genesis 27:29.

Pray for the lost: As we pray for the lost, Matthew 9:38 and 2 Peter 3:9, ask the Lord to give us wisdom and boldness to be His Witnesses to our neighbors and acquaintances.

Pray for one another: James 5:16 - confession of our sins and praying for one another brings healing. Praying for one another with righteous motivation is powerful and effective.

Pray for our enemies: Jesus himself gave one of the most difficult commands for us to follow – that we must love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Matthew 5:44

Finally, it is extremely important for us to learn God’s purposeand plan for us as individuals. This can only be discovered

through time spent in worship, praise, prayer and in His Word.

We need to seek God’s face (in worship and praise)

before we seek His hand (for provision).

My personal spiritual worship and prayer goals: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri SatTime in worship and praise: ____/____/____/____/____/____/____ Time in reading the Word: ____/____/____/____/____/____/____Time in prayer and petition: ____/____/____/____/____/____/____

Video Hymn: Gaither Gospel SeriesLarry Gatlin and brothers Trio

© 1999 Spring House Productions, Inc.

A Perfect Heart

Morning sun, light of creation,Grassy fields, a velvet floor,Silver clouds, a shimmering curtain,He’s designed a perfect world.

I’m amazed at His talents,Stand in awe of One so great,Now my soul begins to sing out,To the Source from which it came.

Bless the Lord Who reigns in beautyBless the Lord Who reigns with wisdom and with powerBless the Lord Who reigns my life with so much loveHe can make a perfect heart

(Repeat chorus)

“I will sing of mercy and justice: To You, O Lord I will sing praises. I will behave wisely in a perfect way. O, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

Psalm 101:1-2, New KJV

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal (perfect) to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9, New KJV

Psalms of praise that we can pray back to the Lord:

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your Name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:1-3

“Praise the Lord. Praise the Name of the Lord; Praise Him, you servants of the Lord, you who minister in the house of the Lord , in the courts of the house of our God. Praise the lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to His Name.” Psalm 135:1-2

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust’”. Psalm 91:1-2

“…may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to His Name, extol Him who rides on the clouds – His Name is The Lord – and rejoice before Him.” Psalm 68:3-4

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:9-10

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. Psalm 19:7-9