The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

P.R.A.Y. Spiritual Exercise

Philippians 4:4–9 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

P - Pause Before God Be still in His presence

R - Rejoice in the Lord and Reflect "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!" (v.4)

A - Ask God "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (v.6)

Y - Yield and Trust "Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand." (v.7)

Throughout your day, when anxiety rises, return to this rhythm:

• (take one deep breath) Pause 

• (name one truth about God) Rejoice 

• (turn the worry into a request) Ask 

• (open your hands and receive peace) Yield 

Sermon Notes: Central Idea: The name of God deserves your attention and respect.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." These opening words set the tone for everything that follows. Before we ask for anything, before we confess anything, before we bring our needs before God—Jesus teaches us to begin by recognizing who God is.

I. GOD IS "OUR" FATHER

A. Prayer Begins with Community

Ephesians 4:6 NLT

... one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

B. God as Father and Creator

C. The Revolutionary Nature of "Father"

II. GOD IS IN HEAVEN

"Our Father in heaven..."

This phrase holds two truths in tension:

- Intimacy: He's our Father—personal, caring, accessible

- Transcendence: He's in heaven—sovereign, holy, glorious

III. HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME

"Hallowed be your name."

B. God's Name Above Our Own - God's holiness comes first

C. The Mystery That Sparks Faith Matthew 6:9–13 NIV

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Slowing down and ensure the quality of our practices rather than the quantity

Something is better than nothing but an over saturation of poor practices distracts us

1. Prayer is not a formula with set scripts that we must follow
2. Prayer is not a performance awarding the most passionate and zealous actors
3. Quality in prayer is a matter of heart and Spirit not words and action

Scripture is a mirror for the human condition

We come face to face with truth Jesus and see ourselves fully by the Spirit

Matthew 6:5-8

• Dont be a goofus praying in public to be witnessed by people
• Dont be a goofus praying in meaningless words and repetition like you're supposed to

Matthew 6:9

Praise comes after a recognition of relationship Our Father

• Culture understood sonship as a right Jesus adopts us as a gift
• Culture understood sonship as a legal status Jesus brings us into right relationship with a loving Father
• Culture understood worship as obligation Jesus shows us worship is a delight

It is this loving and gracious adoption into Gods family the brings us into reverent and joyous praise

Quantity vs Quality of Praying Praise

Do I worship in hopes of experiencing God Or do I worship because I already live in and through Him

Do I worship out of habit Or do I worship because I am in awe of who He is and what Hes done

When our connection to God is the source of our praise our prayerful worship moves from quantity to quality

Matthew 6:10

This is intercession in the most foundational sense: Gods will here and now

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

In intercession we must submit fully to His will

Rather than a halftruth that makes sense to us This is spiritual rooted in our relationship to Him and trusting what He reveals to us.

Romans 12:2

Quality vs Quantity for Intercession

Do I strive in prayer for a certain outcome Or do I pray to connect with the heart of the Father

Do I pray from my own thoughts and will Or do I listen to God so my mind may be renewed

Matthew 6:11

Deuteronomy 8:3

Quality vs Quantity in Petition

• Am I striving in petition out of worry or do I trust God provides me with all I need
• Am I striving for more than what I need or seeking God for my daily bread

Matthew 6:12

A key component of prayer is repentance and forgiveness

Romans 8:34

• One way to perfectly align with Gods will is to repent

• Obedience is more than avoiding the bad its living to the fulness of His call

• We need renewed minds to understand the fulness of Gods call in our lives

Mark 11:25

Romans 12:18

Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness and asking Gods help to do it is guaranteed alignment with His heart

Quantity vs Quality in Repentance and Forgiveness

• Do I pray often but remain untransformed by the Holy Spirit or do I pray often and consistently even incrementally grow closer to Jesus example?
• Do I pray to forgive but keep my heart cold to those who have wronged me Or do I pray to forgive and cancel debts as Jesus has for me

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Pray in alignment with His work

Psalm 139:22-23

Titus 3:4-7

Hebrews 9:13-15

Walk in accordance with His work

Romans 12:2

Philippians 1:27

3 John 1:11

Matthew 6:13

Luke 22:41-43

Proverbs 169 The mind of man plans his way But the Lord directs his steps

Quantity vs quality

• Quantity is informing God of our struggles and asking Him to provide our answers

• Quality is being real before God to receive His deliverance

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Hebrews 4:15-16

Sermon notes coming soon!