Teachings of Jesus - How We Pray

Growing up every night, my father would come into each of my brother and my bedrooms and we would say our prayers. Many times they would be repetitive night after night, thanking Him for the day, and about keeping dad safe on the road driving truck, and keep mom healthy and sane with us kids at home for days on end, and to help us sleep good. It was one of those ritual things we just did every night that didn't really add up to anything for us, until we were older and suddenly that ritual thing became more real for us. Life got real, and with that prayer life got real too. Now we are praying with our daughter every night, which may feel like nothing more than a ritual sometimes, but we know that ritual can become real for her, and we hope and pray it does.

Jesus taught us a model for prayer, as He gave His Sermon on the Mount, as well has how to pray authentic prayers. Not to do so for show and showing people how "well" you pray on the street corners. Or by babbling over and over with many words. But to simply offer a heart-filled prayer, speaking genuinely to Him. I think we get caught up in the words even today, wanting to sound good or fearing we won't sound good, so we refrain from praying. The truth is though, God wants to hear your heart, not your words.

As Jesus laid out a model for the people in His Sermon, we can take that and offer up our own hearts to Him:

"Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your Name..."
Recognizing that our Father is sacred and sits in the high throne of of lives. He sees the bigger picture and knows the steps for us, because He is in Heaven. Praise His Name because it is great indeed. There is a sign of respect in this opening line, as He is to be revered and not taken lightly. What a reminder of Who we are talking to as we open our prayers!

"...Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..."
Being open to God's full will, knowing that His plans are greater and higher than our own. We can plan and ask for His blessing on our plans, or we can ask Him to do His will in our lives and direct our steps for us. I think a lot of times, we come to Him with our own plans, and do what we think it best for us, rather than asking Him and waiting for Him to direct our steps.

"...Give us this day our daily bread..."
If you're like me, you worry about days, weeks, months down the road, when really God wants us to only worry about today. We pray that He provides for us TODAY and let tomorrow's worries come with tomorrow. This doesn't mean we are reckless with our futures, but it means we don't let worries destroy our today, because there is nothing we can do for the things that are coming. Let the bridges come as you need to cross them, and pray for provision today.

"...and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors..."
Come to God with any confessions, admitting you are in the wrong, and forgiving those who are in the wrong with you. This isn't for the purpose of "clearing your name", but for setting your heart straight. Many times we think we are not in the wrong in situations, but really we need to see our side of what the possible issue is. We come to God, doing a heart check of where we are in life. Humble yourself and see all sides of the issues you are facing, knowing you need to let it go and let God take it, no matter how the other side feels about it. The relief you feel for letting something off the hook is more valuable than you know.

"...and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."
While God never leads us into temptation Himself, He can provide us the strength to lead us through a struggle of it. Praying that He reminds you to hold on to the things that are solid, and to remind you that there is something Greater to be had. Though we will stumble over and over, striving to have His strength to get us through those times is a huge step in dependence on Him. Praying that He helps you to see light in every situation and know that there is a fuller life to be had, even in the dark times, will help you to see through those struggles.

Jesus provided us with a model, but wants your heart when you pray. Whether you take this one or pray as you go, check your motives and your heart behind your prayers. Always consider God's view and His way. The best part about talking to God is that you can talk to Him like you would a friend. Be open, honest and real with Him. Not only will this provide you with a way to recognize His voice more and more, but will build your relationship with Him. In a time that rituals reigned, Jesus found it necessary to lay out a structure of prayer. Don't let your prayers be ritual, but let them be real.

Scripture to Read:
Matthew 6:5-13, James 5:16

Questions to Ponder:
How often do you pray to God? How would you say your prayers are structured?
Why is it important to check our hearts when we go to God in prayer?
How do you think God will answer prayers?