Lord, Teach us To Pray – Following the Model of Prayer
We have asked the
Lord to teach us how to pray, and he showed us in His Word what to do. If we
ask, seek, and knock, God will open the door to us and give us what we need.
But let’s not be too casual in the way we come to our Heavenly Father. He gives
us clear instructions about how we must approach the door of his Grace.
“And when you pray,
you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the
synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.
Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go
into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in
the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they
think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like
them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In
this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:5-15
Jesus gave us
a guideline in this model prayer. We are to honor God, first. Next, we must
acknowledge that his will comes before our own. Then, we may present our needs to
him. And finally, we declare that all belongs to God alone.
Too many
people get it backward; they ask for things first then remember later to thank
God and honor him for all he has done. Let’s not be counted in that number.
Let’s also not be counted among those who pray the long-winded, repetitious
prayers that we all have heard. Let’s pray from the heart today. Why not let Jesus’
model prayer be just that – a model and
not just something we recite? I’m not saying you shouldn’t say the Lord’s
Prayer. Just be sure you are saying it from your heart and not merely reciting
words.
Let’s follow Jesus’
example today and do as his teaching tells us. Pray following his model. Then,
give thanks to God for helping you. You can write the parts of your prayer to
help you follow the model.
Good Morning, Lord… ________________________________________
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