Matthew 6:5-15 (NIV)

5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

10your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

11Give us today our daily bread.

12Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

I.        Introduction:

II.      A Pattern To Avoid

A.      Praying To Impress Others: Hypocrites Motivated By Vain Glory

1.       The Recognition Of Men Is Desired

2.       The Reward Of Prayer Is Temporal

B.      Praying To Manipulate God: Heathens Mistaken In Vain Repetition

1.       Trying To Overcome God’s Reluctance: Mistaken In The Nature Of Prayer – My Will Be Done

2.       Trying To Overcome God’s Ignorance: Mistaken About The Nature Of God – I Know What’s Best

III.   A Pattern To Follow

A.      Respect The Nature Of God

1.       Addressed As Father

2.       Exalted In Heaven

3.       Distinguished As Holy

B.      Regard The Kingdom Of God

1.       A Kingdom To Come

2.       A Will To Be Done

C.      Rely On The Provision Of God

1.       A Daily Reliance

2.       A Dependant Relationship

D.      Receive Pardon From God

1.       We Require God’s Forgiveness

2.       God Requires We Forgive

E.       Request Deliverance Of God

1.       From The Pull Of Sin

2.       From The Power Of Satan

IV.    Conclusion: