Prayerlessness is spiritual suicide. It is essential that we cry out to God to find a hope in who He is, and the assurance of his plans and purposes.
Just as the disciples needed to learn to pray, so do we. “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) It begins with embracing relationships. My relationship with God as Father. Also our relationship together with God as Father. ‘Our Father…’ (Matthew 6:9)
We are speaking and listening to someone who is above all.
‘Our Father in heaven…’ (Matthew 6:9)
When we pray, we are praying to a God who is omnipotent, all powerful. He needs permission from no one and manipulated by no one. His plans and purposed always come about. Our Father in heaven is in control. He sees all, knows all and directs all. And so, what should our response be?
How powerful is the God you pray to?
“…hallowed be your name…” (Matthew 6:9)
In humility and with boldness, our prayers should desire God’s reputation be more important than our own. That we, and the world, would see God for who he really is and be submit to him.
Is God’s reputation at the centre of your prayers?
“…your kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10)
In a world that sees us each trying to build our little empires, we are to pray for the success of God’s kingdom. That the good news of the gospel would spread in our street, neighbours, country and world. That Jesus would be known.
Do you pray for people to come to Jesus?
“…your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Under the challenge of individualism, we are called to be praying for God’s agenda to be done, rather than our own. We want God’s way, even if it means suffering, sacrifice or discomfort for us.
Are your prayers motivated by God’s agenda or your own?
As we learn to pray this way, this will counter our self-centeredness, self-concern and apathy in prayer. As we pray this way, we’re are submitting to what God will do.
May we be a church family who pray to our Father who is in heaven. Together seeking to have our desires and actions calibrated in God’s direction, rather than our own.
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)