The Foundational Commands of Jesus
Prayer
Purpose
Understanding the Meaning of Prayer and How to Pray
The Bible
Câu chuyện: Chúa Jesus dạy về sự cầu nguyện
5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9“This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
[For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]
14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:5-15
Key Verse:
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. - John 16:24
Sword Method
Step 1: The Guard
Who is in this story?
There are two types of characters: real characters & fictional characters (in the parable).
- Chúa Jesus, môn đồ, đoàn dân đông
Where does this story take place?
Consider the geographical location where the story takes place.
- On the mountain, in the land of Galilee
When does this story take place?
Consider the timeframe of the story, whether a specific time or a general period.
- Năm đầu chức vụ của Chúa Jesus
What happens in this story?
Summarize the story, condensing key events to provide an overview.
- Teaching about prayer
Step 2: The Blade
What does this passage teach about God?
Focus on what helps us understand God. Who is He? What is He like?
- God is the One who sees in secret. (6)
- God the Father is the One who listens and answers prayers (6), He is our Provider (Jehovah Jireh – Genesis 22:14). (11)
- God is the One who rewards. (6)
- God is omniscient (8), He knows what we need even before we ask.
- God the Father reigns over His kingdom, He is the Holy One enthroned on high, possessing authority and glory. (9-10)
- God has the authority to forgive human sins. (12)
Step 3: The Handle
What does this passage teach about people?
There are two types of lessons: positive lessons—to follow & negative lessons—to avoid.
- We need to pray in secret. (6)
- In Jewish culture at that time, the Pharisees would stand at street corners (intersections) and public places, wearing garments and praying loudly so that everyone could see them. (5)
- Praying in secret means we should communicate intimately and privately with God alone. When we pray from the heart, it is between us and God alone. This does not mean we cannot pray in public, but we should not pray for the sake of showing off, like the hypocrites.
- Do not engage in vain repetitions like the hypocrites (Pharisees). (7)
- The Jews had a set schedule for prayer, with specific topics assigned to each time slot. When they prayed, they would alter words slightly but keep the same content, believing that the more they prayed, the more God would hear them. This is the kind of repetitive prayer that Jesus criticized as hypocritical.
- Jesus did not mean that we should never repeat prayers, but rather that we should avoid empty and meaningless repetitions. When we earnestly cry out to God multiple times for the same request, He is pleased by our sincerity.
- Mankind must exalt the name of the Lord. (9)
- People must hope for the future coming of God's kingdom on earth. (10)
- People always need daily provision of food. (11)
- Physically, we need food daily to survive.
- Spiritually, "daily bread" (NASB1995) refers to God's Word. We need the Word of God daily—we must study, understand, and absorb it consistently.
- Humans continually sin, which is why we need the Father’s forgiveness. In return, we must also forgive others. We cannot ask God for forgiveness while refusing to forgive our brothers and sisters. (12, 14-15)
- Temptation constantly lurks around us, so we need God's protection. Even when we fall into temptation, we need God to rescue us. (13)
- We must pray daily: "Give us this day our daily bread." (11)
Step 4: Using the Sword
What lessons can be learned from this story?
Distinguish between lessons and applications. Lessons must come first; applications should be based on the lessons.
- Chúa Jesusu đưa ra một ví dụ về lời cầu nguyện. Lời cầu nguyện mà Chúa Jesus hướng dẫn gồm những chủ đề cơ bản: ngợi-khen Chúa, Nước Đức Chúa Trời, nhu cầu cá nhân, tăng trưởng tâm linh, tha thứ và tranh chiến thuộc linh.
- Tuy nhiên, chúng ta cần làm rõ đây là 1 bài cầu nguyện mẫu mà Chúa Jesus đang hướng dẫn để mọi người cầu nguyện, không phải là bài cầu nguyện của Ngài. Do trong lời cầu nguyện này có xin Chúa tha tội, trong khi chính Chúa Jesus là đấng vô tội, nên Ngài không thể cầu xin để được tha tội được. Chính vì thế chúng ta cần hiểu đây là 1 bài cầu nguyện mẫu.
- Chúng ta cầu nguyện nhân danh Chúa Jesus.
- Prayer is not merely about asking for things; it is also about communication, fellowship, intimacy, repentance, praise, and thanksgiving.
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For God Our Father in heaven Relationship with God Hallowed be Your name Praise and gratitude Your Kingdom come Focus on the Kingdom and mission Your will be done Salvation On earth as it is in heaven Guidance For people Give us this day our daily bread Personal needs
Spiritual growth
Perseverance in prayer
Forgive us our sins Forgiveness As we forgive those who sin against us Confession and repentance Lead us not into temptation Spiritual warfare But deliver us from evil Persecution
Conclusion
Examination
- What is prayer?
- Why should you pray to Him? What happens if you do not pray?
- Do you believe that when you pray sincerely and in accordance with God's will, He will listen and answer?
- Do you set aside time to pray daily with God?
Application
We must pray with the following mindset:
- Pray as a child communicates with their father.
- Prayer should not be forced, but rather natural, sincere, and intimate.
- Prayer is not merely about asking for things; it is also about communication, fellowship, intimacy, repentance, praise, and thanksgiving.
Prayer
Hãy cầu nguyện cho mọi người bắt đầu cầu nguyện hàng ngày với Chúa trong danh Chúa Jesus.