Lord, Teach Us to Pray: 2017 - Text: Matthew 6:7-13

This morning, we want to come into this New Year by entering into the presence of God in prayer. Using the pattern given to us in the Lord’s Prayer, we will come before the Lord with praise and petition.

Monday: Our Father In Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name

In this part of the prayer there are several areas to focus on.  First, God is intimately related to us as our Father.  Second, God is in heaven so He is majestic and over all.  Third, we want His name to be revered and lifted up.  Spend time in the following passages praying for God to do these things in your heart, in the lives of your family, your church, and in this community.  Pray specifically for people by name and spend time praising God for who He is.prayer there are several areas to focus on.  First, God is intimately related to us as our Father.  Second, God is in heaven so He is majestic and over all.  Third, we want His name to be revered and lifted up.  Spend time in the following passages

• Father (Romans 8:15, 23, 31-39; 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5)

• Hallowed/Holy (Isaiah 6:1-6; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

Tuesday: Your Kingdom Come

The thing that will bring God the most glory (make His name Hallowed) is for His Kingdom to come.  God will come and rule on earth.  Spend some time meditating on the following passages and what God's rule will look like for mankind.  Pray for His glorious, sovereign, kingly rule to hold sway without obstruction everywhere in the world (including your heart).

• Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 2, 47, 96, 97; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 25, 28:19-20; Revelation 4:1-11

Wednesday: Your Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven

In heaven, the angels respond to God's will with immediate, complete, perfect, and joyful obedience.  This part of the prayer asks that obedience to God on the earth would look like obedience to God in heaven.  Pray that God would cause His all-wise, all-good, all-just, all-holy will to be done all over this world the way the angels do it in heaven - and make it happen in me.

• Matthew 21:28-46; Luke 22:39-46; Romans 12:1-2

Thursday: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

We are completely dependent on God for everything.  This part of the prayer acknowledges our need for God to provide.  It also challenges our contentment.  You are not asking for riches, but for bread.  Spend time asking God to meet your needs.  Also, ask Him to correct your understanding of what your "needs" really are, and to give you a content heart.  Finally, ask for a heart that trusts God when He does not give you what you ask for.

• Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:10-13; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; James 4:13-17

 Friday: Forgive Us Our Debts As We Also Have Forgiven Our Debtors

There are two areas of focus in this part of the prayer. 

The first is the graciousness of God to forgive us our trespasses.  Spend time asking God to search your heart and repent of any sins that He points out.  The second area is that the gospel enables us to forgive those who have wronged us.  Spend time asking God to help you forgive people who have hurt you.  Be specific.

• Grace of God (Exodus 34:5-7; Psalm 139; Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 8:31-39)
• Forgiveness (Matthew 18:15-35; Luke 6:27-49)

 Saturday: And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

We are grateful for forgiveness but we do not want to go on sinning.  We need God to help us fight and defeat temptation and sin.  We also have an enemy that seeks to destroy us, and only Jesus can save us from his traps.  Pray for God to deliver you from temptation, sin, and the evil one.

• Luke 4:1-13; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Galatians 6:1-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:22-28, 10:19-25; James 1:12-15; 1 Peter 5:6-11

Interested In Learning More About FBCMI?

Discovering First Baptist in 2 session class on Sundays, January 8 & 15, 2017 at 9am in the Bowling Alley. Register on the website, scan the QR code or meet with a decision counselor after today's service. Childcare available. Call Pastor Mark for more information.

Transmissions For Missions

Car & Truck Show on Saturday, January 14 from 9-2pm. 2nd Annual, multiple trophies and plaques awarded, raffle, give-aways, food trucks, DJ and vendors. Contact Denise Harrell at 321.863.0592 by January 6 to pre-register your cars or trucks.

More For You To Know

FIREHOUSE STUDENT AUCTION schedule for this Saturday has been postponed until Saturday, February 4th.

DEACON"S MEETING Sunday, January 8th at 4 pm in the Crossroads Bulilding.

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING Sunday, January 8th at 4 pm in the Crossroads Building.

SUPER SENIOR LUNCHEON Tuesday, January 10th starting at 10:30 am in the gym.  "Through the Years: Rememberring the50's."  Reserve your spot today by signing up in the foyer or in your Sunday School class, call the church office, or email Lynn at LSmith@fbcmi.com.

Wednesday Night Dinner

Dinner is served from 4:45-6pm in the Atrium. Cost is $6/adults, $3.50/kids and $20 family max. Call the church office or email Karen at kburrows@fbcmi.com on Monday for reservations.

Scripture to SOAP for next week: Philippians 3:1-11