Matthew
Our Father Knows You Need to Ask ‘Why’
Prayer opens our minds to find the reasons for why things happen
So why Pray? Because we need to ask “Why”
Curiosity is an effective engine of discovery
Speaking to God causes us to ask higher quality questions
One of our greatest hindrances is assuming
Assuming we already know
Prayer helps us talk about our assumptions in light of God’s Truth
Getting the right answer means we have to find the right, or proper question
If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”
—Albert Einstein
If the answer to “Why pray” is because we need to know “WHY”
What is the benefits of “WHY”
Matthew
Our Father Knows You Need to Ask ‘Why’
Chapters 3-7…
The Kingdom of Heaven is announced
Jesus, after being led by the Spirit into the wilderness
where He is tempted by the Devil,
began to preach the Kingdom.
From that time on Jesus began to preach,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17
Our Father knows you need to ask “Why”
Jesus says…
For your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:8
So why pray?
Because you and I learn best
when we have a question.
Many toddlers learn the word “Why”
right after they learn the words mommy or daddy.
If you are a parent, maybe you remember
telling your toddler to do something
and you hear the word, “Why”.
You are driving in the car
and your child hears you say something
and says, “Why?”
They see something and say “Why?”
And before you get your answer out
there is another “Why” question.
As a pastor, the “Why” question was
very popular of all questions.
The “Why” question comes up when we need a reason.
Because effects are inextricably linked to causes,
we have a need to know the reason.
Throughout the scriptures we see
there are cause and effects.
The word “If” tells us there are condition’s.
If we confess with our mouth…. you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
Prayer opens our minds to find
the reasons for why things happen.
So why Pray?
Because we need to ask “Why”.
Curiosity is an effective engine of discovery.
Speaking to God causes us to ask higher quality questions.
One of our greatest hindrances is…
Assuming
Assuming we already know,
prayer helps us talk about our assumptions
in light of God’s Truth.
Getting the right answer means
we have to find the right, or proper question…
If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution,
I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask,
for once I know the proper question,
I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”
—Albert Einstein
If the answer to “Why pray”
is because we need to know “WHY”…
What is the benefits of “WHY”?
“Why” is Inspirational.
Many times,
we approach life with the question “How”.
How do I, or we, get this thing done,
when we focus on plans, strategies, and tactics…
We can miss the goal.
But when we ask the question “Why”…
We open our minds to the purpose.
Purpose inspires us and those around us
to approach solutions in unique ways.
Prayer is to open our minds
to the heart and mind of our Father in heaven.
The “why” question in prayer…
Brings us to the purpose of the Father
and the foundation of His Kingdom.
Prayer life is more about inspiration, then formulas.
“Why” eliminates Confusion.
Asking “why” eliminates confusion
caused by pre-conceived assumptions.
Pre-conceived assumptions,
which are fueled by lack of knowledge,
or more dangerously, partial knowledge
which lends to confusion.
To err is human after all.
So asking “why” opens the door
that our assumptions might be wrong or misleading.
Our Father is in Heaven.
The picture we get of Heaven
is related to things we see on earth.
The best we have until we get to heaven
is shadows of heaven
or something that is an example or type.
Like the missionary who tries to explain
the scripture in Isaiah 1:18, that says…
God washes our sin as white as snow
To children who live in the deserts of Africa.
It is helpful to ask “why” more than once
to get a better understanding
and see beyond our own understanding.
“Why” gives your endeavors purpose.
Do you ever feel like you’re working “hard”
but not getting where you want to be in life?
Asking “why” is a great way to remind yourself
of the size of the prize you are pursuing.
The Holy Spirit is not only to teach us…
But to bring to our remembrance
what we have been taught.
Peter recognized our need to be reminded of things
we already know in order to stay focused.
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
2 Peter 1:12-15
Our prays can seem to be repetitious
and seem like we are repeating ourselves.
Our asking “why we do what we do”…
Helps us focus on the purpose,
the foundation for a life well lived.
“Why” separates achievement and success.
Some times we get in the rut of…
“I got to do what I got to do.”
This can lead to a lukewarm life…
“A rut is a grave with the ends knocked out.”
You don’t find God delivering
His people the same way each time.
But you will see His purpose is always the same.
The end does not justify the means.
God’s foundations are firm.
He is the Rock on which your life is built.
Don’t be a cookie cutter Christian
where four walls box you in.
Let God put a window in the wall
to see greater purpose for your life.
Most of us say we are too busy.
Many of us have made lots of achievements every day.
But the question is…
Are you successful?
Prayer helps us be honest with ourselves
and separates achievement from success
when we ask “why” we do what we do.
“Why” positions you to win.
Your faith will be challenged.
You and I are to be ready to give an answer
for the hope that lives within us.
Approaching others can get very defensive
and alienate others by telling them the truth.
But if we ask others why…
We will come to a better understanding
of where that person is at
and help them to examine
the possibilities of God and His Kingdom.
The last verse of John 2 says about Jesus…
“For He knew what was in man”
And the first verse of John 3 says…
“Now there was a man…”
Winning in life isn’t about your
power over people and situations.
It is about understanding.
When you spend time understanding
what is “in others”…
You will be able to approach others
with respect and where they are at.
Our Father in heaven knows
what is in the heart of a person.
As we pray for others…
We will see and understand the “why” in their life.
Our heart becomes more compassionate
and when we speak with others…
We will have a better ear to hear what
keeps them back from winning.
“Why” positions you not only to win,
but puts you in a win, win situation.
When the “why” question is answered…
We will discover we were never meant
to cross the finish line alone.
For you and I…
Discovery for ourselves is the best way to retain learning.
If you find your prayers are not answered,
maybe it is because your Father is trying
to help you ask better questions.
Your Father in Heaven wants you to know “WHY”.
Maybe what the Father in Heaven knows about your need
(even before you ask) is that you need to know
“why” more than you need what you ask for.
Give a Man a Fish,
and You Feed Him for a Day.
Teach a Man To Fish,
and You Feed Him for a Lifetime
Scripture Reading
Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
9 "This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'
