Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

What you do defines you more than what you say…

Matthew 26:6-13 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.  Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Our daily trials are not in vain.

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

So what should our desire be?

Romans 12:9-18 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

James 2:17-18 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

When our life is recalled by our children, how will you be remembered?

The thief on the cross reflected on a life of sin at the end… realized he had no legacy, no name, no honor to leave behind. With humility he looked to Jesus and said… remember me.

God  remembered you…

2 Peter 3:9b….. not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Don’t wait till the last like the thief did…

Choose life more abundantly… start living for Christ and make memories that will last for all eternity.

Sing Take My Life And Let It Be,  Let this be your song.. God take my life and use it for YOUR Glory!

Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.

The Altar in the Bible served many different purposes throughout the years to many different people; such as:

• Noah
• Abraham
• Jacob
• Aaron
• Joshua
• Samual
• Saul
• David;
• Nearly every old testament saint had an altar in their life.

The Altar Served Many different purposes as well.

An altar to God to please Him

Genesis 8:20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

An Altar to God to mark an important event (remembrance)

Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

An Altar to fulfil God’s command

Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

An Altar of forgiveness

Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

The Alter can be polluted

Malachi 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

What are you bringing to God? When you go to the Altar are you making promises you don’t keep? Are you just going through the motions to seem more spiritual? The Altar is a place where God simply asks that you be as serious about is as He is.

The Altar of God throughout the Bible has been used to signify events, bring about remembrance and to please God.  It served a fundamental purpose in the Old Testament as a place of worship, sacrifice and understanding.

In today’s church we keep that tradition moving by having an old fashioned altar. A place where you can come and spend time with God. It can break barriers of humility and shows God that you are serious about doing God’s will as Abraham was when God ask him to sacrifice his son. It can be that point that takes you to that next level of being a better Christian. It can also mark a milestone or event in your life (place of remembrance)

One degree away.

212 degrees is when water goes from just water… to boiling. Oft times we are going through the motions, we hear the Alter call every service and we don’t take advantage because “we don’t need to or I want to leave or I’ll just do it later… We really feel that we are “on fire for God” doing those things WE feel would be pleasing to God. But are we doing those things we KNOW He would be pleased with. We operate so close to the mark, perhaps at times getting to 211 degrees! But never boiling over for God.

God desires us to spend time with Him, read His word, pray and go to church… What we leave on the table is what will define us in our Walk with God. The Altar is that place that can take you one more degree, that one step away, sold out, nothing left. When we add to those things a heart to serve we can truly boil over in our faith… and truly experience God’s blessing…

End By Singing “Is Your All On The Altar”

I recall my 2nd suicide and following interviews.  A woman in her late 40’s who was dealing with relational problems.  Many of her neighbors knew she was having trouble, people she went to church with, even her Pastor.  She had medication throughout her house and the countertop looked like a pharmacy. She had a Bible in every room. Yet despite all of those who knew she was having trouble; all the cries for help she made: she felt that taking her own life was the only option.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

According to the Scriptures – 865

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

He Lived – 805

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

He Died – 132

Matthew 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

He Rose Again – 176

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,

Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

John 2:22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

He is coming Again – 194

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What a day that will be – 840

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

This has been my life’s verse for many years.

It is a realization that only what you do here on earth, both in work and in attitude will count when you get to heaven.

This is not to be confused with works in salvation: But rather your work ethic or motivation to work AFTER salvation.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

One of the biggest issues we have in the world today is the presence of an entitlement society. People who believe that they deserve something that they did not earn. Whether it is grades, jobs, clothing, food, computers, cars.. I’ve heard quite a few who say they deserve something they didn’t earn. This mentality is in the government, schools, the workplace, in homes and now in the church.

 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

• My Daddy used to always say… if you not part of the problem or part of the solution… it’s Gossip…
• One of the lessons in attitude can be found in the scriptures:

Matthew 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Again a matter of attitude: Did you agree to work for a certain wage? Did you promise to complete a task? Did you give it 100%

Deuteronomy 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

So if Christians were to think more like God in the areas of work ethic and attitude… we would be less like the world. Right?

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

End By Singing “Work For The Night Is Coming”

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Context:

Revelation 2:1-5 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Interesting to compare this first church and it’s accomplishments to what we have today.

Is the church of today known for it’s:

• Works?
• Labour?
• Patience?
• Separation?

The Church of today is a “come as you are, never call out sin, love everyone and accept them in their sinful state”. To get as close to the world as possible and slap a Christian sticker on the box and sell it for $19.95

We’ve all heard the phrase Hate the sin and love the sinner.. But that just isn’t scripture. God loved us so much that he Gave His only son.. So that people can get saved and be transformed into a new creature.. Not just pick and choose the sins you don’t want to offend! Jude 23, 1 Peter 3:12

Note: vs. 2 .. and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

  The church that pleased the Lord called these false religions and churches out for what they were! Liars!

But we’ve rather left our first Love

2 Peter 1 starts off identifying a Christian that seeks to build his life on the things of Christ and lists the “ladder of faith” But look at vs 8

2 Peter 1:8-9 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

He Left our First Love

In Matthew Chapter 6 we get an overview of how God tends to the needs of the simple things: the sparrow, the flower, what we eat, drink and wear…

We find a 2013 statistic that 121 Million people are diagnosed with clinical depression… Countries and areas that have a greater access to technology show to have more than 36% higher rate of a Manic depressive episodes.

They’ve left their First Love

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Society has created a burden of reliance on things other than God…

We have left our first Love

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

In the areas of the raising children we have left our first love

Society has moved to a mindset that it takes a village to raise a child when nothing could be further from God’s truth. It is the parents responsibility to raise a child in the way they out to go.. The other half of the trouble is the direction parents are raising their kids to go!

 Society says that you let a child choose their own path as whether they want to go to church; so churches have become havens of entertainment rather than a place to worship God.

Yesterday at the preachers fellowship there were less than 5 men under the age of 35. At bible colleges across the country women out number men 2 to 1 as we see the spiritual decline of men and preachers in this country.

We are living today in a society that prevails that single parenthood is superior to God’s plan for the home. It is encouraged by TV and pop culture as a better way of self reliance. But it is NOT how God intended it to be.

• Out of 12.2 million single parent families in 2012, more than 80% were headed by single mothers.
• Today, 1 in 3 children – a total of 15 million – are being raised without a father.
• 4 out of 10 children are born into unmarried homes.
• So how do we deal with it. Recognize that there is a difference between single parents by circumstance verses single parents by choice.  The issue of single parents by choice is what has created a divide in the home and corrupted the balance that God has with a husband and a wife raising the children together.
• Single Parents by circumstances that desire to raise their children for God need the help that the church can provide. But that needs to be their desire. Too many families look to the church today as a free baby sitting service and not as a place where God meets and blesses His people

It’s Time to come Home

Luke 15:20-24 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

2 Corinthians 13:5a Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you…

Have you left you first Love tonight? It’s time to come home.

End By Singing: Lord I’m Coming Home

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

In society today the concept of FREE had been changed and even de-valued the term.

I recall when the Obama phones came out.. People lined up to get their FREE phone.. When interviewed as to where the money came to pay for the phone.. People argued that the phone was free, it had no cost.. They couldn’t realize that while the phone may have been free to them.. The phone had a price that was paid for by others. (taxes)

Salvation today has been lost in this mix of FREE. Salvation has lost its value to many because there is no Perceived value.

Perceived Value is the understanding of the cost of something regardless of the price.

Consider a Christmas present..

People are not told, nor do they realize that the Gift that Christ gave, to those who would receive it… Cost Him His very life.

Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death…

The wage is a price, a cost, a debt to be paid.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Ezekiel 18:20a The soul that sinneth, it shall die…

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Jesus Chose to pay for our sins.

John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

And then give it to us as a gift

Romans 6:23b …but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

But it must be received.

1 John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

How much is salvation worth to you… did you receive the gift and perceive it as no value?

I think why so many Christians in this world today are just spectators and not participants of the faith is that the don’t realize just how much their freedom cost.

We throw out the word FREE so much…

Do you realize the price that Christ paid for the gift He freely gives tonight?

End With Singing “Jesus Paid It All”

Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

The history of the hymn How Great Thou Art begins with Mr. Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish Pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. Mr. Boberg was enjoying a nice walk when a thunderstorm suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A severe wind began to blow. After the storm was over, Mr. Boberg looked out over the clear bay. He then heard a church bell in the distance. And the words to How Great Thou Art begin to form in his heart — O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made. . .

Psalm 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

One thing that is fading quickly in American Christianity is where people that realize How Great God is.. An entitlement mentality has created this mindset that God is a servant to us, rather than the opposite being true. Kids today can’t see the magnificence of God through the eyes of a TV or a cell phone… You have to see God in the larger scale… To travel across across the plains and climb up into the mountains; then gaze across the valleys down into the streams.. Take time to stand beside a waterfall as the sound pounds away the noises of the world.

I recall going though Bavaria. Climbing up the mountainsides, walking next to the massive rapids of the Gorge all trickle down to a peaceful stream rich in minerals.  Simply being in awe of all of what God had prepared. Then a short ride over in Germany to sit on a hillside next to an old castle, having a picnic overlooking the fields.

God is worthy of our praise tonight:

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Perhaps where God is so great is that He made a way…

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He was not willing that any should perish… so He made a way…

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

That way was His Son Jesus Christ…

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Some tonight can’t say “How Great thou Art” because they’ve never made the choice to get saved.

You see while God is mighty and worthy of praise when we behold all that He has created… God does is best work in the hearts of those that love Him.

William Walford was blind, but this did not make him worthless. 

Called on to preach from time to time in a rural English church, he composed sermons in his head to deliver on Sundays. He memorized a huge amount of the Bible which he quoted verbatim in his sermons. Some of his folk thought he had memorized the entire Scripture, cover to cover.

Thomas Salmon, a New York native, spent some time in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, where he became acquainted with William. He tells this tale of what happened one day, while he was visiting the blind pastor:

“…He repeated two or three pieces which he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within. “How will this do?” asked he, as he repeated the following lines, with a complacent smile touched with some light lines of fear lest he subject himself to criticism. I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil, as he uttered them, and sent them for insertion in the Observer, if you should think them worthy of preservation.”

The Observer did consider them worth preserving, and they were published on this day, September 13, 1845, becoming a beloved hymn.

The title in itself determines the condition that Christians today finds themselves in. the sweet hour of prayer has become more of a sweet few minutes of prayer.

Note: Vs 1. “that calls me from a world of care” When we are praying it is like we are at the foot of the throne, not in the world..

…Want to spend less time in the world? Spend more time in prayer.

How to Pray

A question that is often ask is “How do I pray?” and God answers this question by FIRST telling you “How NOT to pray”

Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 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 debts, 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.

Instructions for prayer:

Reverence  (vs. 9) 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Psalm 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

Submission, anticipation of the Blessed Hope (2nd coming of Christ) (vs. 10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

1 John 5:14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Thanksgiving and Supplication (entreat in favor of) (vs. 11)

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Ephesians 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Confession of the sins of the flesh for the restoration of fellowship. Then to have the heart to forgive others. (vs.12)

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Protection. From both what the world may do unto us and what we are liable to do to ourselves  (vs. 13a)

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

Psalm 7:1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Reverence

(vs. 13b) 13b For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Remember Prayer is just talking to God, we Should pray to God through of His Son Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Colossians 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.