Pray In This Manner

Any relationship has to involve good communication, right? Communication has become easier thanks to technology, yet it comes with the caveat that conversation is often interrupted by screens. Our smartphones allow us access to others quickly and efficiently. But how deep are we going in all of our relationships, especially those online? How is our lifestyle of sound byte social media style information sharing affecting our real-life, in-person interactions? Communication has become easier, but it does not necessarily follow that it has improved. 

Jesus taught and exemplified constant, deep, concentrated communication with his Father. He took action to heal and help, balanced with carving out time to talk to God. “He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.” (Luke 5:16) The New Testament describes multiple instances when Jesus got up early, traveled far, and prioritized conversations with God. He led by example and also provided explicit instruction on how to pray in the Lord’s Prayer. 

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer only as a rote, memorized anthem, we miss out on how deeply we can converse with our Heavenly Father. Kay Arthur outlines in depth the guidelines Jesus provided in her study, Teach Me to Pray. Her summary of the topics given to pray through in the Lord’s Prayer are as follows:

Worship: “Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 

Allegiance: “Your kingdom come.”

Submission: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Petition & Provision: “Give us this day our daily bread”

Confession & Forgiveness: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Watchfulness & Deliverance: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Worship: “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”

-Are you carving out consistent time to talk to your Father who loves you?

-When you pray, are you worshipping and praising the One who created and sustains all life? 

-Are you living out and praying out strong allegiance to the kingdom of Heaven, laying down your idols?

-Are you submitting to His will, even if it means your prayers aren’t answered the way you want? 

-Are you trusting that God will provide for you, your loved ones, your church, His people around the world? 

-Are you bringing your wrongdoing into the light and believing that He loves you enough to forgive it all?

 -Are you asking for salvation from the temptations of this world?

“The Lord is near. Therefore, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7