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The Model Prayer (Part One): Introduction
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughPrayer is an essential aspect of the relationship between God's people and the Lord of all, as revealed through countless examples of humble requests for mercy and aid. In Jesus' time, prayer had often become a display of hypocrisy or rote memorization, causing confusion among His disciples about the proper way to pray. When they sought His guidance, Jesus provided an outline for personal, meaningful communication with the Father in heaven, emphasizing that prayer should not be a mindless recitation but a deep, individual connection. Jesus set a powerful example of frequent prayer, often seeking solitude in the wilderness or rising early before dawn to speak with His Father. He prayed intensely before significant decisions and urged His disciples to pray always, making it a consistent part of their worship. He assured them that through prayer in His name, they had direct access to the Father, who would respond in love, fulfilling their joy. Jesus also offered specific advice to His disciples on how to pray authentically. He cautioned them against the hypocritical public prayers of the Pharisees, who sought human approval rather than God's honor. Instead, He encouraged finding a private place for genuine, one-on-one conversations with God. He warned against vain repetitions, stressing that God is a real Person desiring a true relationship, and thus, prayer should be reverent and respectful, not empty or mechanical. In His model prayer, Jesus provided broad principles to guide daily communication with God. He emphasized that prayer should focus primarily on the Father Himself, beginning and ending with praise and honor for His holiness and power. It acknowledges the Almighty Sovereign of the universe and our dependence on His grace. Jesus also highlighted the importance of God's Kingdom as the ultimate goal, a purpose both the Father and Son have worked toward for millennia, urging His disciples to keep it foremost in their prayers. Personal needs, such as daily sustenance, forgiveness, and help against trials and satan's opposition, are included, recognizing our fleshly nature and constant need for physical and spiritual support. While not exhaustive, this model prioritizes God, His Kingdom, and His will, fostering spiritual maturity in prayer and aligning our lives with our Savior's example.
Avoiding Prayer? Consider Carefully
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe whole world is in hurry-up mode. What have often suffered are prayer and its companion, Bible study—and ultimately, the individual's relationship with God.
The Model Prayer (Part Two): Our Father in Heaven
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus begins His instructions to His disciples about how to pray with, 'Our Father in heaven.' There is more to this simple salutation than meets the eye.
Unanswered Prayer
Sermonette by James BeaubelleEven though we often must wait for a response, God listens closely to our prayers from the heart and is looking out for our best interests.
Out of the Abundance of Our Prayers
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidJesus remarks that our lips tell the tale our hearts try to hide. Using this proverb as a foundation, what do our prayers tell God about us?
What Is Prayer?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughPrayer to a tool we must learn to use. Because we take on the characteristics of those we are around, we should keep company with God continually though prayer.
Prayer and Fervency
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLiving faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.
Faith and Prayer
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConstant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of the qualities that make us in the image of God. God's purpose comes first.
Back to Basics
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIncreasing knowledge without the capacity to process it leads to insanity. To combat information overload, we must get back to the basics of Christianity.
Do We Know God?
CGG Weekly by Pat HigginsHow can we build a relationship of such intimacy that God and Christ know it is a relationship that will last for an eternity?
Vain Repetitions
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMemorizing the Lord's Prayer is a wonderful thing to do. But we must go further and teach our children that the prayer is not one to be mindlessly repeated.
Are We Laodiceans?
CGG Weekly by Pat HigginsAt day's end, ask how much time we spent communicating with God and Christ and how much time They were in none of our thoughts (Psalm 10:4).
Praying Always (Part Two)
Article by Pat HigginsIn Luke 21:36, our Savior gives us two essential keys to being accounted worthy and escaping the terrors of the close of the age: watching and praying always.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Eight)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe most effective way to develop a relationship with God is by developing a continuous prayer dialogue, conversing with Him through Bible study and prayer.
Praying Always (Part Four)
Article by Pat HigginsHow does 'praying always' work? Why is consistent, thoughtful prayer such a powerful tool in the process of overcoming?
Praying Always (Part Five)
Article by Pat HigginsDeeply examining ourselves for flaws and shortcomings, as we do each year before Passover, helps us to accomplish Christ's command to watch and pray always.
The Grand Secret!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod reveals a grand secret through David: namely, that spiritual growth will come to people who set the Lord before oneself continuously.
Facing Times of Stress: Always in God's Presence
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can maintain spiritual contact using David's tactic of continually maintaining the Lord before him in his thoughts, prayers, and meditations.
Whatever We Ask
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPrayer comes under attack if we live double-lives, giving us a guilty conscience, not practicing what we have been taught, allowing our hearts to condemn us.
Matthew (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe should not seek material rewards under the New Covenant, though God may sometimes bless us physically. Our focus should be on spiritual rewards.
God's Will
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPraying according to God's will is sometimes ambiguous. Yet as we respond positively to His covenant, He reveals more and more of His secret plans.
The Book of Daniel (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsSin, the real opiate of the people, makes us oblivious to danger, giving us a debased and reprobate mind. It is not static, but leads to destruction.
Our Part in God's Will
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhile it is good to acknowledge God's will in our prayers and know that His decisions will stand, we must also remember that God's mind can be changed.