R4 Prayer

4/4 Pattern Of Prayer
Patterned from how Jesus instructed us to pray from His Sermon on the Mount message in Matthew 5-7. When we follow His guidance in a simple, basic 4/4 musical-related pattern of worship-based prayer, we can begin to gain a closer relationship with Him than we have ever had.
We begin to lean to seek His face first rather than His hand, and we learn His grace, love, and mercy is greater than we ever knew.

Matthew 6:9-13
^9. “Our father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. ^10. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. ^11. Give us this day our daily bread. ^12. And forgive us our debt, as we forgive our debtors. ^13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

2. Response (Downward)
[Matt. 6:10]
– Pause and listen, pray in response to God’s will through the Holy Spirit and His Word.

3. Request (Inward)
[Matt. 6:11-12]
– Praying with heartfelt request around themes of provision, purity, and forgiveness.

4. Readiness (Outward)
[Matt. 6:13]
– Prayers of claiming God’s promises to overcome the spiritual battles before us.

– I CANNOT PRAY IF –

I cannot pray “FATHER”
– If I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.

I cannot pray “HALLOWED BE THY NAME”
– If I am not striving for God’s help to be holy.

I cannot pray “THY KINGDOM COME”
– If I am unwilling to accept God’s rule in my life.

I cannot pray “THY WILL BE DONE”
– If I am unwilling or resentful of having His will in my life.

I cannot pray “IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN”
– Unless I am truly ready to give myself to God’s service here and now.

I cannot pray “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”
– Without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread I receive.

I cannot pray “FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS”

– If I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot pray “FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER”
– If I do not recognize and submit to the sovereignty of God, that all people and things are under His control. 

• In prayer, we experience the most intimate and powerful spiritual exercise known to humanity. (Psalm 131; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6)
• In prayer, we talk freely about our secret struggles, frustrated feelings, and our murky motives with words that are raw and unfiltered—yet understood by an all-knowing, all-powerful God. (Psalm 62:8; Hebrews 4:16)
• In prayer, we find protection when we are vulnerable and experience security when we are unsure. (Psalm 34:4; 56:3; 2 Corinthians 1:8–11)
• In prayer, we accept our weaknesses, surrender our rights, and ask for help from the only One who can create permanent change. (Psalm 40:17; 2 Chronicles 20:12; Luke 22:42; 2 Corinthians 12: 8–10)
• In prayer, we abide, through intimate connection, in the life-giving power of the risen Christ. (John 15: 4–5; Ephesians 3:16–19; Colossians 1:9–10).
• In prayer, we trade in our anxieties for the peace that passes all understanding. (Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6–7)
• In prayer, we receive wisdom for the perplexities and doubts we face. (2 Chronicles 1:10; Proverbs 2:3–6; James 1:5)
• In prayer, we cast our burdens on the One who has the power to work all things out for our good and His glory. (Psalm 55:22; Romans 8:26–28; 1 Peter 5:7)
• In prayer, desperate and lost people receive mercy and grace that saves and transforms. (Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13)
• In prayer, faith grows and God’s people arise to call on Him boldly for miraculous exploits from His hand. (Jeremiah 33:3; Mark 9:23&24, 11:23 & 24; Acts 12:5–8)
• In prayer, we receive grace to become like Christ, even when the problems persist and the burdens remain. (2 Corinthians 3:18; 12:9 & 10)
• In prayer, we find the power and perseverance to defeat Satan and overcome His schemes. (Luke 22:32; Ephesians 6:18; James 4:7)
• In prayer, we discover the beauty and power of intimacy and satisfaction in God. (Psalm 27:4 & 8; 73:25–26)

• In prayer, believers discover a level of trust and unity of heart that is truly supernatural, given our many differences in perspective and personality. (Acts 1:14; 13:1 & 2)
• In prayer, families receive grace, health, and persevering love to sacrifice and stay together. (Psalm 127; Acts 16:31–34)
• In prayer, God prompts, prepares, and propels Christians to become actively engaged in His evangelistic mission in this world. (Matthew 9:38; Acts 4:31, 13:1–3)
• In prayer, leaders receive supernatural insight into the truth of God’s Word and wisdom for shepherding His people. (Acts 6:2–4; Acts 13:1 &2)
• In prayer, major revivals have been birthed, leading to dramatic and lasting transformation of lives, churches, communities, and nations. (Acts 6:7)
• In prayer, we receive boldness, wisdom, and opportunities to share the truth of the Gospel. (Colossians 4:3 &4; Ephesians 6:18–20).
• In prayer, God works powerfully to bring glory to Himself, not through human efforts but through humble dependence. (2 Chronicles 20:18–23; John 17; 2 Corinthians 1:11)

• For prayer, Christ went to the cross, offering His life and blood, demonstrating the price that was paid for the privilege of prayer. (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:12–14)
• For prayer, the temple veil was miraculously torn in two to demonstrate the availability of the presence and power of God through the finished work of Christ. (Matthew 27:50–51; Hebrews 6:19–20; 10:19–22)
• For prayer, sinful hearts are cleansed and become permanent temples of His Spirit, who teaches and guides us to deeper intimacy and greater power. (Romans 8:15–17; 26–27; 1 Corinthians 2:9–12)