When I look ahead, I believe that it has never been more necessary for the people of God to be on their knees than it is right now. Prayers to God are one of the most potent weapons that He has given us. Having the ability to pray, or even just understanding how to begin a prayer, is not always a simple task. His followers had the same level of bewilderment. They were familiar with the prayers that were given in the Torah on a regular basis. On the other hand, Jesus prayed with a level of authority and power that they had never witnessed before; it seemed as though God was paying attention! According to the account found in Matthew 6, the disciples did not approach Jesus with the request, “Teach us another prayer.” “Lord, teach us to pray,” they prayed to the Lord.
According to Matthew 6:9–13, Christ’s response is found in the Lord’s Prayer. It is a wonderful prayer, and it is one that every Christian ought to have hidden in their heart; I challenged my granddaughter to learn it by heart. I do not believe that Jesus intended for it to become another prayer that is merely a ritual, despite the fact that the words are quite eloquent. In its place, it was intended to serve as a model for how to pray.
How to restart your prayer life
1) Offering God Friendship
“Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’? He will reply, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. Can’t get up and give you anything? He would rise and offer him anything he needs because of his impudence, but not because he is his friend.” Luke 11:5-8 (ESV)
The text underscores that prayer requests should not be timid; God, who holds ultimate authority, is accessible to believers and appreciates those who approach Him boldly. It posits that strong prayer resembles a robust friendship with God, where believers are encouraged to express their needs and desires openly.
The example of a persistent neighbor illustrates the concept, suggesting that while the neighbor relented due to annoyance, the relationship with God is different; it is characterized by a heartfelt willingness to engage and collaborate with the divine will. This insight encourages a deeper contemplation of the dynamics between human persistence in relationships and spiritual communion with God.
HE: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:4 (ESV)
The passage highlights the significance of aligning one’s actions with God’s will, encouraging individuals to seek ways to move with God rather than asking Him to follow their desires. This notion is reflected in the treatment of the Lord’s Prayer, which serves as a model for prayer that emphasizes surrender to God’s will—”not my will, but God’s will be done.”
The Lord’s Prayer embodies key spiritual practices, including trust in God, acknowledgment of personal shortcomings, and the necessity of forgiving others—a challenging but essential aspect of moving with God. Ultimately, the passage advocates for a life of prayer that fosters fellowship and love for God, recognizing that true prayer fosters a deeper relationship and understanding of His presence.
2) God’s Availability
HE: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 ESV
Jesus wants us to pray passionately and constantly. The stanza shows this twice. Use the present imperative to ask, seek, and knock. Order of intensity: asking, seeking, knocking.
God will be silent at times and our prayers may go unanswered in this life. God hears our requests in His will. We should inquire, seek, and knock for God’s will, but He moves at His own pace. This is key for verse 10.
- God’s Nature for Believers Father is how I’ll describe God’s prayer character. Christians alone can call God “Father.” “A Christian’s freedom from anxiety is not due to some guaranteed freedom from trouble but to the folly of worry and especially to the confidence that God is our Father.”
Priest and theologian John R. Stott
The New Testament uses “father” for God 165 times, compared to 15 in the Old Testament. In one of those instances, Jesus called Himself “Father,” although not with the disciples. According to John 1, those who received Jesus became children of God. From pulpits, we hear that all humans are God’s children. It’s not scriptural. The only children God declares are those adopted into His family by Jesus Christ’s blood and faith.
Ways to Develop Your Prayer Life
- The importance of prayer is emphasized by the author of Hebrews, who exhorts believers to boldly approach God’s throne of grace in order to receive mercy and assistance.
- Acknowledging that God hears and answers prayers is crucial for growing one’s prayer life, as reflected in Andrew Murray’s quote about God’s intent for prayer to have answers.
- Designating a specific time and place for prayer, as practiced by Jesus, enhances consistency and allows for meaningful prayer experiences.
- Prayers should be specific in requests, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ interaction with Bartimaeus, where clarity of need was vital.
- Trusting God with the answers is essential, as seen in quotes from Spurgeon and Murray, focusing on aligning one’s will with God’s rather than trying to persuade Him.
- The ultimate goal of prayer is to seek God’s kingdom and will, fostering submission and surrender to His broader understanding and wisdom.
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