Prayer
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” – 1 Peter 3:12
We are looking at avenues we have to “get in the way of grace” – to encounter God, grow in relationship with him, experience Him and His love:
Tapping into the grace of God is essential for our spiritual lives. Though we can’t make the favor of God Flow, we can position ourselves to receive the favor he has promised.
Yesterday we looked at His word: we hear from him. Today we will look at prayer: we talk to him.
Not only does he express himself and bid us hear his voice, but he wants to hear ours. The speaking God not only has spoken, but he also listens—he stops, he stoops, he wants to hear from you. He stands ready to hear your voice. Christian, you have the ear of God. We call it prayer.
The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6 gives us insight both in “how to pray” and “what to pray”.
How to pray – We see prayer is NOT to be “self-focused” – to be “seen by others”, about our “many words”. It is to be “God-focused” – a set apart time for the purpose of communion with the Father. Grounded in who God is and His view of us – “Our FATHER in HEAVEN”.
What to pray – The Lord’s prayer shows us that prayer is focused on God and people (including us). God – “hallowed be YOUR name” “YOUR kingdom come” “YOUR will be done”. Us – “Give US this day OUR daily bread” “forgive US OUR debts” “lead US not into temptation.” Prayer is vertical (toward God) and horizontal (for ourselves and others). Prayer expresses our dependence on God AND our need for his provision (physical, spiritual and moral).
The good news is that we have His ear, HE HEARS and He is faithful to respond.
Pray then like this:
“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 also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:9-13