“Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10 HCSB
Have you wondered how to pray? Is there some magical formula for what to say or what to do to have your prayers answered? Is there a special position to pray? There are some religions that direct followers exactly how to pray, when to pray, what position to pray, and even what to say in the prayers. This is not what God desires. He wants to hear from our hearts.
Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. He gave them an example of what should be included in a prayer. It was not intended to be a prayer that would be repeated. These verses are often referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” and are sometimes recited, but the elements of the prayer are of importance. Jesus began His prayer by calling on His Father and acknowledging that God is holy and deserves our praise. He then asks for God’s kingdom to come and for God’s will to be done.
Challenge: When you pray, speak to God just as you would talk to a good friend. He wants to hear your concerns and cares. Begin your prayer by praising God for who He is – a holy God. Present your prayer requests to God but always pray for God’s will to be done in every situation.