Bible Text: Matthew 6:5-15 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Matthew, Prayer 101

1.  From Luke 13:1-5 – Jesus corrects a wrong view held by the Jews concerning tragedy and accidental death.  They held that it was due to some extraordinary personal sin.  Jesus denied this and taught instead that death due to some tragedy or calamity was not due to some exceptional personal sin but rather that because all are sinners, all are subject to calamity, all die.  The manner of death doesn’t mean a person was a worse sinner than others.  The real issue, according to Jesus, is to be ready for death by turning to God in faith.

2.  Prayer energizes our work, our worship, and our walk.

3.  Basis for prayer:

-God’s attitude towards us (Romans 8:1)

-God expects us to pray, requires it, and agrees to answer prayer (Colossians 4:2; Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:17, etc.)

 -We have a faithful and merciful High Priest (Hebrews 2:16-18; 4:15-16)