This prayer begins where all true prayer must start—with the spirit of adoption: “Our Father.” No prayer is acceptable until we can say, “I will arise, and go to my Father” (Luke 15:18 NKJV). This childlike spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father “in heaven” and ascends to devout adoration: “Hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). The child whispering, “Abba, Father,” grows into the angel crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” There is only a step from passionate worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of a child’s love and reverent adoration: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (v. 10). Next follows the heartfelt expression of dependence on God: “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11). With further illumination by the Spirit, we discover that we are not only dependent, but sinful—so we plead for mercy: “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” (v. 12). Finally, having been pardoned, having the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and knowing our acceptance with God, we humbly pray for holy steadfastness: “Lead us not into temptation” (v. 13). The person who is really forgiven is anxious not to offend again; justification leads to an anxious desire for sanctification. “Forgive us our debts” is justification; “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” is sanctification in its negative and positive forms. After all of this, a triumphant shout of praise follows: “for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (v. 13 NKJV). We rejoice that our King reigns in providence and will reign in grace, “from the River to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8)—and there will be no end to His dominion. So this short model of prayer conducts the soul from the first sense of adoption on up to fellowship with our reigning Lord. Jesus, teach us to pray your way. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
Prayer should never be assigned a specific or special time and place. Prayer shouldn't only be an endless repetition of the droning on of words. Prayer should never be heartless. Prayer shouldn't be difficult. Prayer isn't where grocery lists of what needs done are left with God.
Prayer is where heart to heart talks happen with our Creator.
Prayer is anytime in any place.
Prayer is to be bold yet honest.
Prayer is never to be full of pride.
I pray more now than I did 5 years ago, 10 years ago and even 20 years ago. It takes but a moment and there's no numbers to memorize to get the call to go through.
My getting ready for work sometimes has prayer happening. I go to start the drive to work and I have conversational prayer with Jesus on my way there. Throughout the day things come up. People with concerns and worries. I often stop to pray then too.
My Savior isn't just when and where I want Him to be, He's everywhere I am.
You don't need to memorize a prayer to pray. That's really bland and hardly personal.
Any Church that teaches you to do nothing more than repeat words, calling it a prayer...you really ought to leave. That way lies the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
When you come to Christ it's more than just Salvation. It's personal. You inherit the Kingdom of God, not that plus a Butler who is the King. He isn't there only to respond to your every beck and call. We sometimes get to forgetting that we are the clay, He is the potter.
A quick salve for this world is honest prayer. We don't need paid counselors. We need The Great Physician. The one who knows our every thought and intention. Who knows the division between soul and spirit. The one who knew us before we were ever formed in the womb.
The harsh reality of life is that Satan does not want people to realize the reality of prayer. Millions of both Christian and non-Christian self-help books prove that point. Millions of books on Spiritual subjects that are not inspired by God. I have seen so-called Pastors pop out books like McDonald's does fries. Doesn't follow that those books are inspired by God.
Look at the Scriptures for how to pray, not just what to pray. But also to whom we are to pray. Look at Paul's letters. He often speaks of praying for people.
As I can attest to specifically, prayer can go places we cannot because it is backed by the power of God.
Rather than being honest with yourself and God, you look to others to validate what you are going through. Rather than being honest with yourself and God you look for books to validate what you are doing and what you are going through. You look everywhere else but to an honest relationship with Jesus to get satisfaction.
If that's you, my dear reader, then you really have no real understanding of prayer.
It is personal not impersonal. It's you speaking to the one who knows you best and loves you the most.
Prayer had hope in it that cannot be seen with the naked eye. When it doesn't look good, prayer still works. People I work with are fearful of the lack of business. I have learned in this year just to pursue being and doing the best with what's in front of me for whom I work, and it isn't my employer. Colossians 3, doing whatever I do as unto the Lord. Period. I pray for the business to grow again and leave it with God to do so. Regardless of what they believe, my employer is owned by God. The Scriptures say the Earth is the Lord's and all it contains.
So pray without ceasing the Bible also says. With Psalms, hymns and Spiritual songs. Making melody in our hearts towards God.
Worried? Worry is a prayer with no direction. Take those and give it a direction, up. Turn it into a prayer, with thanksgiving, that it has been received and heard. Let not your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me. Is what Jesus said, did He not?
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