UNDERSTANDING CHRIST'S INSTRUCTIONS ON PRAYER!

PRAYER IS TO BE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND OUR GOD! 

Matthew 6:5-6 - And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are:  for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.  Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But you, when you pray, enter into your closet (a place of privacy), and when you hast shut the door, pray to your Father* Who is in secret (hidden; cannot be seen); and your Father* Who sees in secret (hidden places) shall reward you openly.  

Note:  * Prayer is only effective for those who are children of God - He is our Father!  
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that comes to God must believe that He is (must be a believer, a child of God), and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  

PRAYER IS TO BE BRIEF!

Matthew 6:7-8 - But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen (the unsaved; those who are religious, but are not God's children) do:  for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Therefore, be not like them:  for your Father knows* the things you need, before you ask Him.

Note:  * God is Omniscient, that is, all knowing!
1 John 3:20 - For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and (He) knows all things.

CHRIST'S MODEL PRAYER!

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray:  Our Father Who is in heaven, Hallowed (Sacred; Holy) is Your name.  Your kingdom* come.  Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts,** as we forgive our debtors.**  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen. 

Note:  * God gave man the "deed" to His kingdom on earth (Genesis 1:28).  Apparently, after Adam's Fall, the "deed" was either given to, or taken by Satan (see  Matthew 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12; etc.).  This world will remain in Satan's grip until the Second Coming of Christ (see Revelation 19:11-20:15)!
** Debts - That which is owed.  Some versions have "sins," or "trespasses" (see Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:25-26).  Debtors - Those who owe us; have sinned against us (see Matthew 18:15-20).

 THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN!

Many Bible scholars and Theologians have seen a difference between the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of Heaven.  While I certainly am no authority on the Bible, I do know that they are not two different kingdoms.  The only person in the Bible to use the term the Kingdom of Heaven, is Matthew.  He used it thirty-two times in his Gospel.  However, parallel passages from the other Gospels use the Kingdom of God for their quotes.  Compare Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:15; Matthew 10:7 with Luke 9:2; Matthew 13:11 with Mark 4:11; etc.

BOTTOM LINE:

  

BELIEVE GOD LOVES YOU!

BELIEVE YOU CAN TRUST HIM!