Experiencing Prayer (Prayer II)

Today, prayer is on my mind. In fact it's on my mind all of the time (as 1 Thes 5:17) directs.

Prayer is such an important aspect of Christian life. It is nothing short of our direct and private conversation with our Creator.

I was speaking with a member of the congregation the other day and he mentioned that he was feeling very close to God at the moment. My response was, "When is the last time you talked with Him?" I went on to explain that any relationship depends on communication. The more you talk with someone, the more you get to know them. If it is a positive and healthy relationship, the more you get to know them, the more you feel close to them. The closer you feel to them, the more you love them. This is what God desires of all of His children.

So I thought I might continue a series of messages on prayer I began a month or so ago. Many people have no idea how to pray, but instead imitate what they've heard what someone else does, without making it a personal communication with God. For this reason, I'll continue this series of notes with an analysis of the model for payer Jesus established in Matt 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.

Our Father which art in heaven,

• Acknowledge your relationship to Him
• Acknowledge His presence and preeminence

Hallowed be thy name.

• Offer glory, praise, reverence and honor to Him

Thy kingdom come.

• Express faith and trust in his promises

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

• Express hope and look forward to the day when all will be as originally designed by God

Give us this day our daily bread

• Don't be afraid to ask God for the things that sustain you. He knows what you need, but remember, you are communicating with Him and he loves to grant the requests of His children

And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

• Ask for forgiveness of all sins you have committed while keeping in mind your need to provide forgiveness (Matt 6:14, 15)
• Ask for blessings for others, include those who persecute you

But lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

• Request support and and a means of escape from the influences of Satan and from our own lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and the pride of life

For thine is the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen

• Praise Him again for all He is and all He has, can and will do
• Closing your prayer with "Amen" indicates "so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled"

It is my prayer that these thoughts will be of value to you and your prayer life. Later, we'll discuss examples of prayer, contents of prayer, instances of prayer and results of prayer.

Stay tuned...

May the great God of Heaven grant you every spiritual blessing.