Qualities of a Healthy Church

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Qualities of a Healthy Church
(9) Constant PrayerMatthew 65-18
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Matthew 65-18

• "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. But 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. And when
  you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans,
  for they think they will be heard because of
  their many words. Do not be like them, for your
  Father knows what you need before you ask him.
• "This, then, is how you should pray
• " 'Our Father in heaven,
• hallowed be your name,
• your kingdom come,
• your will be done
• on earth as it is in heaven.
• Give us today our daily bread.
• Forgive us our debts,
• as we also have forgiven our debtors.
• And lead us not into temptation,
• but deliver us from the evil one.'

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Matthew 65-18

• For if you forgive men when they sin against you,
  your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But
  if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father
  will not forgive your sins.
• "When you fast, do not look somber as the
  hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to
  show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth,
  they have received their reward in full. But when
  you fast, put oil on your head and wash your
  face, so that it will not be obvious to men that
  you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is
  unseen and your Father, who sees what is done in
  secret, will reward you.

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What is prayer?

• Talking to God about what we are doing together
• Dallas Willard
• We have confidence to approach the Father through
  Jesus
• Hebrews 1019-22

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Why Pray?

• Jesus expects us to pray Matt 65-7
• There is a reward! Matt 66
• The time of prayer itself Phil 46-7
• God has great things for us Matt 77-11, James
  42-3, 1 John 514-15
• Prayer changes us Luke 2243, Acts 109ff
• Prayer can change the world Acts 423-31
• Healing James 513-18

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When should we pray?

• Daily Matt 611
• At a planned time Matt 66
• Always Eph 618-20
• On all occasions
• With all kinds of prayers and requests
• Be alert and always keep praying
• For all the saints

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How should we pray?

• Sincerely
• Matt 65-6
• Simply
• Matt 67-8

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What should we pray?

• God-Centred Matt 69-10
• Hallowed be Your name
• Your kingdom come
• Your will be done
• Man-Centred Matt 611-13
• Give us today our daily bread
• Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven
  our debtors
• Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
  the evil one