“One day Jesus was praying…one of his disciples said, “Lord, TEACH US TO PRAY…” (Luke 11:1) What is important about how we should pray, Will? Jesus said, “When you pray, 1SAY…” (Luke 11:2) 1legō: to speak out. He also spoke this, “2Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7) 2aiteó: speak out a request. We speak out because our words HAVE POWER they, “set on fire the course of nature…” (James 3:6) The gift of speech is of great benefit. With our tongues we communicate information, express affection, and praise God. A tongue under control can speak life and truth into our world, bless and discipline our children, and transfer the wisdom God has given us “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21).
Remember this, to Christ our trials are not trivial in His eyes. Our burdens are not small or irrelevant to Him. His global purposes do not draw Him away from us. Our prayers are not unimportant in His priorities, because our trials and prayers are deeply and intimately connected to His greatest burden as a good Shepherd, caring for His own.
I remember one morning I started praying “MY FATHER” feeling good about being God’s kid and after a while doing this the Lord interrupted me and said, “Bill why are you excluding Jesus?” And I said, “what do you mean? He said, When Jesus taught you to pray He said “OUR FATHER” affirming the fact that you are an heir, “…of God and a JOINT-HEIR with Christ…” (Romans 8:17) So, I repented for excluding Jesus and since then I always pray “OUR FATHER” you and me Jesus, Our Father!!!
Just one other thing I’d like to share about prayer Will:
- Set aside a time for prayer. Block off a certain time, and find a quiet place. Give prayer priority in your schedule.
- Discuss your life with the Lord. Too many times we “do our prayers” and then move on. We have taken care of our guilt but we have never really touched the throne. So, make your prayer time personal. Talk honestly about your struggles, your fears, and your calendar. Listen carefully.
- Use the Word of God as a starting point. Read through a passage of Scripture and then apply that scripture to your life. When you read a command to “forgive others” ask God to help you release the bitterness and the hurt that makes you resist that command. When you read about the importance of “thinking pure thoughts” confess the areas where your thinking is polluted and ask God for help to think better. This practice will help you focus on the deeper issues rather than the superficial.
- Keep a prayer list. Make a list of the people you pray for. Be specific. What needs do you want to help carry for another. When someone asks you to pray for them . . . add them to your list. Then make it a point to contact these people and tell them you are praying for them daily. This is important because the next time you are tempted to omit your time of prayer you will remember that you told someone you were praying for them . . . and in your desire to be faithful you will make time to pray.
- Take time to notice God’s answers to prayer. God answers in many ways – Sometimes He gives us what we expected. Sometimes He answers in unexpected ways. Sometimes He removes a burden . . . other times He gives strength to endure the burden. Sometimes He provides the things we want. Other times he changes our wants by teaching us to be content. Sometimes He answers right away, other times He waits until we are ready. Notice the answers, and when you notice be sure to thank Him.
Will, it is a real joy for me to share with you, I’m a pastor at heart and sharing God’s word is a very joyous calling on my life, be greatly blessed!!!
-Bill Stockham