Pastor John McDonald
I’d love to share with you today around prayer. It’s something that can seem complicated and even daunting for some people.
But when you go directly to the source, Jesus Christ, you will see his teaching on prayer is simple and provides a great framework for us all to pray like Jesus.
Matthew 6:9-13
This then is how you should pray:
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 have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
That’s it. That’s the teaching from Jesus on how you should pray.
So let’s break this down and see how we can make the Lord’s prayer not something we rattle off when we have tried everything else, or something that is just lip service, but rather make it apart of our everyday life that sees us connect with Jesus in a real and tangible way.
MAKE IT PERSONAL TO YOUR LIFE.
This prayer touches so many areas:
Praise: our Father who is in heaven hallowed be your name. Worship God, start off by telling God how much he means to you and also to acknowledge God is the God over everything.
Will: Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God I pray that today in my life your plan will happen. That what heaven has planned would happen in my life today.
Provision: Give us today our daily bread. Pray for your needs, and for provision for your family, that God would give you all that you need, naturally and spiritually.
Forgiveness: And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Help me to know your forgiveness and help me to forgive others.
Protection: And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Pray that God would protect you from your own silly thoughts or ideas. And pray that God will protect you from evil (spiritual things that go against what God is doing).
You can pray this prayer in 5 minutes or 30 minutes. (Don’t let time be a barrier to your prayer life.)
MAKE PRAYER A LIFESTYLE.
The bible says:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
The truth is worry doesn’t keep you where you are, it actually takes you backwards, worry depletes you. Prayer on the other hand links us into God and all of his power and glory. When we pray about everything we experience peace that can’t be understood. I think in the times we live in we could all do with some of that.
PRAYER BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD.
But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
The language Jesus uses in his teaching is to pray to our Heavenly Father. God is a father who loves us and wants the best for us. Prayer helps us see God for who he really is, a loving Heavenly Father.
As you pray, whether it’s short or longer, you are drawing closer to God. As you pray your relationship grows.
So don’t be overwhelmed when it comes to praying. Take the Lord’s prayer and pray it over your life and the lives of those arounds you, and as you do you will be praying like Jesus.
Have a great week.
John.