Lets get back to the basics. This is what is important. All of our bible study and knowledge means little. If we don’t have a relationship with God, we don’t have anything. It may seem simple; how to pray, but I’ve noticed that most Christians do not pray the way the master taught, so here goes. This is an outline of how to pray from the number one authority on prayer. Jesus is like-minded with the Father.
Matthew 6 9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, asit isin heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The first thing you’ll notice is that he begins with praise. I cannot overemphasize this. Next Jesus is praying the will of the Father. Jesus is not praying his will, and he is teaching us not to start out with our own agenda. Come to the Father empty, and ready to serve him. Don’t start out your visit with a list of demands. Next Jesus does pray in alignment with the will of the father for a meager existence, and to forgive our trespasses. Then he reminds us to pray that we would forgive those who trespass against us, and that if we do not, God cannot forgive us. He then prays to the Father to keep us from temptation, and ends with more praise and surrender, and a simple amen.
Some people think you have to put the “in Jesus name” at the end to make it legal or something. God knows whose name you are praying in by the spirit of your prayer. Saying that you are praying in Jesus’ name doesn’t prove a thing if you are not. Jesus did not end with “amen, and amen”, or “and then all the Saints all said AMEN”; nothing flowery like that. He says to avoid vanity, and long-winded public prayers. I’ve heard some people pray, you’d think they will never stop!
Matthew 6 5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocritesare:for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathendo:for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Notice verse 8. Don’t keep on and on about what you need, or even what you want for your loved ones. And don’t outline for God exactly how he is supposed perform the miracle you are requesting. He knows what is needed, and he also doesn’t need any help deciding how to do it. Your job is to do your job, being faithful to him. Then he will take care of the rest. You don’t need to even worry about it.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is it necessary to pray before each meal? No. Am I opposed to it? Again, no, but this can lead to vain and repetitious prayer. Be in a prayerful attitude all your waking hours. Be thankful for life all your waking hours.
Don’t pray me-me-me. Even “I need you” is also “I”. He stands waiting for you. You need to pray that you will go to him. Surrender your life to him unconditionally. Wait on the Lord. Spend more time listening to him, rather than asking him for stuff. Be at his service. Come to him as a little child, not full of yourself, and all your church taught theology. Come to him empty of yourself, ready to learn, and ready to do the will of the Father.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
I suggest starting out your day in prayer, as soon as you gain consciousness, and your eyes open. This is your first fruit of the day. This is when you can get instruction for the day from him. Is God counting the time you spend with him? This is another misconception. He is counting how much you listen. The quality of your devotion is not measured in minutes and hours.
Who do we pray to? Jesus taught us to pray to Father God. Jesus said he was the way to the Father. This means he does not consider himself the end of our path; that is the Father’s place.
“Lord God, I love you. Keep me and love me this day on. You made me for your purposes. I neither deserve nor ask reward for servitude, or what your Holy Spirit does through me. I am not my own; I am yours unconditionally to do with as you please. Lord, teach me to be teachable. Take away all hindrances in my life that come between you and I, and against my will if necessary. I surrender my life to you for your disposal no matter what the outcome unto death, amen.”