LET'S TALK - Praying The Character of God
LET'S TALK • Sermon • Submitted
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· 44 viewsPart 2 of the Let's Talk prayer series. How praying the character of God impacts our communication and relationship with Him.
Notes
Transcript
Lord’s Prayer Recap
Lord’s Prayer Recap
We do not serve prayer, Prayer is designed to serve us
We pray to Heavenly Father that we are called to have a personal and authentic relationship with
The Lords prayer serves as a template for us to follow
The disciples asked Jesus how they should pray after they watched him pray in Luke 11
Jesus again walks them through the Lords prayer
The Lords prayer creates a template that breaks down into 6 parts
Character
Kingdom
Provision
Confession/Forgiveness
Guidance
Deliverance
The Character of God
The Character of God
Jesus starts the Lord’s prayer with our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name
What does the word hallowed mean?
Hallowed -1. Holy, Consecrated; 2. Sacred, Revered
Holy, Sacred, Revered - Be your name
What would determine someone considering a name to be revered, holy, sacred?
It would have to based on the actions or attributes someone portrays.
If someone treats us well or does something that is extraordinary then we would take notice.
On the contrary if some treated us poorly we would notice as well.
In either case we would have a feeling or emotion tied to that person based on their actions or attributes
That’s how we define someones character
character - 1. attributes or features that make up and distinguish a person.; 2. A persons moral excellence and firmness.
And that’s exactly how we come to know the character of God
We know his character by his attributes.
Attributes communicated through:
Creation
Scripture
Our Experiences - vetted experiences
But before we dive into the attributes of God, why would Jesus start the Lord’s prayer with the character of God?
As we said there are 6 parts in the template of the lords prayer so why does his start with this one?
His character.
Who he is ?
This has bearing on everything else we pray
If prayer is designed to serve us, for relationship, encouragement, provision, direction, guidance, deliverance and forgiveness.
Why start with Character
If we are being honest - Praying the character of God seems strange
Why would we pray the attributes of God back to him?
Doesn’t he know who he is?
Do we have to remind him?
No! We have to remind ourselves!
Why would we or How could we come to God in prayer if we don’t believe he has the power to do anything with or about our prayers?
In order to pray powerful prayers they must be accompanied by faith.
Faith is what moves the heart of God
Its what excites him!
And nothing encourages our faith like when we remember, vocalize and recall who God is and how powerful and gracious he is.
Something happens within me when I start focusing on who God is and what only he can accomplish instead of focusing on the fear and overwhelming anxiety we can feel about the things we are coming to him with.
Praying his character sets the stage for great things. In creates expectation in him. And that’s no t a bad thing that is a God honoring and holy thing.
That gives God his due and puts him in a place that no one else can measure up too.
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak.” CS Lewis
When we start praying with a focus on God’s character, It inspires us, it lifts our spirits, it reminds us of what is possible, instead of what we think is impossible.
Praying the character of God gives us courage and gives us boldness to come to him and ask him to get involved in things and in ways we otherwise would never bring to him.
And when we pray his character back to him in light of our personal experiences we give glory back to him. By putting more faith and trust in him because of who he is and what he is able to accomplish that is so far beyond anything we could ever imagine.
The Attributes of God
The Attributes of God
A psalm of David. 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 6 The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. 20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.