Speaker: Pastor Sydney Igbokwe
Text: Luke 11:1- 3
As we continue in unveiling the Lord’s prayer we observed that the first thing Jesus says about the pattern of Prayer is …”When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name – Luke 11:2. He establishes that prayer must first start with understanding the fatherhood of God. It establishes that prayer is first a relationship with God the Father. The Father is central to the course of Prayer. We need to recognize his Lordship and fatherhood over us. Jesus in his entire ministry did nothing without permission from the father. He was constantly in sync with the Father. The first act of prayer is to be in relationship with the Father secondly, to recognize his lordship over us and to see the Father as central to our prayer life. Without the father in the dialogue prayer is non-existence and ineffective. Prayer therefore must start with a deep, real connection with the father-God Almighty.
The Prodigal son understood he had lost access to the father, his connection, and he said I will arise and go back to my father. Prayer must first start with recognizing the Father’s place in our lives. Satan wants to rob us of the experience we have been given as son to cry Abba Father!
Three things we see from that Scripture:
- Fatherhood- His relationship with us
- Lordship- His Rulership over the affairs of Men
- Holiness- Our Reverence of his Holiness
The place of the Father in Prayer
- He has begotten us through Jesus Christ – 1 Pet 1:3
- The Father is central to prayer as a lifestyle
- The Father desires first a relationship with us as His Children
- The Father gives us all things- John 3:35
- He hears us- John 11:41
- He is always behind us- John 12:49
- We can do nothing without Him- John 5: 19
- He has blessed us with all Spiritual Blessing– Ephesians 1:3
- He bestows us with his Love – John14:21
- He gives us eternal life – John 10:28
- We can’t be plucked out of His hand – John 10:29
- He knows us- John 10:15
Engage with the Father?
- Desire to have a relationship with Him- John4: 21-24
- Through Relationship with Jesus – Ephesians 2:18
- Honoring and Worshipping Him – Luke 11:2, Malachi 1:6, John 5:23
Who is the father seeking in the place of Prayer?
- True Worshippers- John4: 23-24
- Seeking to do His Will- John 5:31, Mark 14:36
- Seeking to Please him- John 8:28-29
- Those who Know Jesus- John 14:7
- Those who Love Jesus- John 14:20-21
- Those who are sons- Galatians 4:1-7, Romans 8:14-15
Prayers
- Lord I recognize your fatherhood over my life
- I come into the place of Sons hip and access in prayer
- I will arise and go back to my father- Luke 15:18