How to Pray

Jesus taught his disciples in many ways. Often he would use parables to teach them with stories they could understand. In Mathew 6:9-13, however, he gives his disciples (and us) very specific instructions when they ask him how they should pray. He tells them:

This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”

I was teaching this to the children this morning, and in doing so, several revelations about prayer came to me. As so often is the case for me, the children are the catalyst in this process. I think I am teaching them, but through them, God teaches me.

This prayer that Jesus has given us is something completely new in the world. It is a different way to approach God. Let’s break it down:

1. Focus.
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus shows us where our focus should be directed: on our Father in heaven. On our Father in heaven whose name is hallowed… sacred, divine, and holy! He also reminds us that as God’s will is respected and obeyed in heaven, so it should also be respected and obeyed here on earth.

That got me to thinking, and I asked the kids: “Should we pray to God to have his will be done for the things we pray for? For example, if I pray: ‘I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony. I want a pony.’ Can I change God’s will… by chanting my will over and over?”

Even the kindergarten kids knew the answer to that question: NO! God’s will be done… not mine. And yet, so many times we chant our will (in prayer) to God hoping to save a loved one, get a promotion, land a job, rain destruction down on our enemies, or get some other form of ‘pony’. Jesus clearly wants us to pray in such a way as to fit ourselves into God’s will.

2. Faith.
"Give us today our daily bread."

In this simple request, Jesus reminds us that everything comes from God. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. Every breath we take is a gift from God, not just the daily bread. Jesus reminds us to be thankful; to give thanks to God for… well, everything! If we think we provide for ourselves by our own hand alone, we are sadly mistaken. Daily bread comes in so very many forms. Trust in God, rely on His strength, not yours, be faithful, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.

3. Forgiveness.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."

All of us are imperfect; we sin. Whether you say “debt”, “trespass”, “sin”, or “wound”, the meaning is clear. We are to forgive the wounds that have been inflicted on us by others, before we can ask for (or expect) forgiveness for all the wounds we inflict. No longer is revenge, holding a grudge, getting even, or remembering an offense acceptable.

Jesus died to atone for the sins of ALL people. Is your wound greater than the sacrifice of Jesus? If you refuse to forgive, you place yourself first, and you place yourself outside of God’s grace. Forgiveness does not always come easy. Jesus knew this, so he reminds us to pray for God’s help to be merciful, and forgive.

4. Follow.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

Jesus isn’t saying that we need to beseech God to not lead us into temptation. He is reminding us to follow God. For God doesn’t lead us into temptation, the evil one does. Do we listen to God’s will in our life, or do we put our own will first. Satan traps us into believing that we need to get even, that we can do all things by our own strength, and that where our desires will lead us is more important than where God wants to lead us. It’s simple: If you follow God, he will never lead you into temptation.

The Lord’s Prayer is not an incantation. You don’t need to pray it with any certain inflection. You don’t need to be holding beads, or lighting a candle, or holding your hands in a certain way when you pray.

The Lord’s Prayer is not a chant. Praying it over and over by reciting the words is not praying, it’s just chanting. God doesn’t want us to mindlessly chant words over and over. God desires an intimate relationship with us. In teaching us how we should pray, Jesus instructs us how to get intimate with God.

So, when I pray our Lord’s Prayer, I try to think about what Jesus teaches us about prayer. I focus my heart on God, and ask myself: “How can I draw closer to God’s will in my life?” I give thanks and glory to God for my life and the blessings that flow from His grace. I let go of all the hurts and trespasses; sometimes I have to pray for the strength to let go of some of the hurts. And finally, I ask God to open my heart to more ways I can follow His voice, rather than that of the world or the evil one.

In giving us this single prayer, Jesus gives us the means to move toward the more intimate relationship that God wishes to have with us. Try starting your conversations with God with the prayer that Jesus teaches us to pray every day this week. Think about the four Fs… focus, faith, forgiveness, and follow. See if you notice a change in your attitude. See if you notice a change in your closeness to God. See if you notice an increase of joy in your life.

Your brother in Christ,

Dave