Lord, Teach Us to Pray (Principles of Powerful Prayer) – Part One

1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” 2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Luke 11:1-4 (NKJV)

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Matthew 6:5–13 (NKJV)

Part One: Withdraw to the Mountain
(Jesus and Intimate Prayer)

Intimate Prayer

6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Jesus showed His disciples how to pray without distraction.

• Before Starting His Ministry
  Mark 1:35–37 (NKJV)
  35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
  
• Before Performing a Miracle
  Matthew 14:22–27 (NKJV)
  Mark 6:45–52; John 6:14–21
  22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
  
• Before Facing Hardship
  Matthew 26:36–37 (NKJV)
  Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:40–46
  36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
  
• Before Choosing His Team
  Luke 6:12–13 (NKJV)
  Mark 3:13–19
  12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
  
• When He Needed Answers
  Luke 9:18–20 (NKJV)
  Matt. 16:13–21; Mark 8:27–31
  18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
  
• When Seeking Revelation
  Luke 9:28 (NKJV)
  28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

• The Need for Solitary Prayer
  • Free from Distraction
  • Free from Interruption
  • Free from Competition
  • A One-on-One Intimate Conversation
• Relating Prayer Gets Results
  • When you spend time with God, He works in your life
  • When you are close with God, He acts upon your needs without your even asking.
  • He knows what you have need of before you ask