Prayer can be intimidating. It was to me. When I would hear others pray so eloquently, using what seemed like all the right words and phrases, I knew that I would never be able to pray the way they did. I always avoided praying in front of others. When someone would ask for prayer volunteers, I’d be the first to put my head down hoping that if I couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see me, kind of like a game of peek-a-boo with a toddler. What I failed to realize is that prayer is about relationship not religion. Prayer should be from the heart not from the head. Jesus made this very clear to His disciples when teaching them how to pray.
Jesus said the following about prayer:
- Don’t pray for the acclaim of men (Matthew 6:5).
Jesus isn’t telling us that we shouldn’t pray in front of people. Corporate prayer is an important part of the Church (Acts 23:24). He is asking us to examine our heart motives. If we are praying in front of people so we can appear more “spiritual” and obtain the praise of people, then our heart motive isn’t right and the reward we get here on earth is all the reward that we will receive. God does not reward hypocrisy
2. Find a place alone for private prayer (Matthew 6:6).
Jesus often went away by himself, away from the crowds to pray. He would go places like a mountain (Matthew 14:23) or the wilderness (Luke 5:16). The Lord tells us to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). What better way to be still than to be alone with Him, communing with Him, whispering the secrets of our heart to Him and listening for His response.
3. Don’t repeat the same words over again (Matthew 6:7).
There is no need to repeat a mantra to Him. Saying the same thing over and over again is religion not relationship. Just be sincere and pray from your heart. You wouldn’t have an intimate conversation with a friend saying the same thing over and over, again would you? No, probably not. Neither should you with God. Just be yourself. Use your own words, your own vocabulary.
4. The “Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8).
Notice Jesus doesn’t say the Father knows what you need so you don’t need to ask Him. No, he says before you ask: But why?
First, God wants a relationship with us. God is not a supernatural vending machine. Prayer is more than asking and receiving. Prayer is building a relationship with God by actively communicating with Him. Communication is key to relationship.
Second, God works through Believer’s prayers. He is sovereign. He doesn’t NEED us to accomplish His will, but He sovereignly CHOOSES to use us to accomplish His will on earth. The method he has chosen to accomplish His purposes is the prayer of a believer.
Model of Prayer
Jesus set out a model prayer for us in Matthew 6:9-13. This prayer is not meant to be repeated over and over but is meant to be a model to follow when we pray. We will call it the ARMOR model of prayer.
Adoration (Matthew 6:9)
The Divine protocol for entering the presence of the Father is to start your prayer with praise and worship. Praise and worship focus your attention on God’s attributes and draw your heart to God! God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).
Reaffirm God’s will (Matthew 6:10)
Reaffirm that God’s will be done in your life and the life of others. There are 5 areas that you can pray God’s will for.
1.God’s will is for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
Pray for salvation for the lost and that all men know the truth.
2.God’s will is that a believer’s life produces the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Pray for fruit in your life and the life of others.
3.God’s will is that you be set apart/sanctified (1st Thessalonians 4:3).
Pray Philippians 4:8 over your mind and the mind of others.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”.
Pray 1st Corinthians 6:19-20 over your body and the bodies of others.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
4.God’s will is that we live peaceful and quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Pray for those in authority: your government leaders, church leaders, work leaders.
5.God’s will is that the church grow in peace, strength and numbers (Acts 9:31).
Pray for your church.
Manna (Matthew 6:11)
Pray that the Lord give you your portion of spiritual bread for the day. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35). Jesus also said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This bread is the revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Also pray for the real bread you need to sustain you physically. Jesus assures us that all we need will be provided for as long as we seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).
Offer-up mercy, forgiveness and grace to others as Jesus gave to you (Matthew 6:12).
Unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment are characteristics of unhappy people. People who harbor these things cannot experience the fullness of joy that God offers to us. The Kingdom of God is built on the principles of love, mercy and forgiveness.
Rescue (Matthew 6:13)
Satan’s kingdom is real. We are tempted by Satan, not God. Pray for rescue and protection from Satan’s schemes which always include stealing, killing and destroying.
Prayer does not have to be intimidating. Prayer is simply a conversation between a Father and His children. No eloquent words and phrases are required. The only requirement is a sincere and honest heart and a desire for a relationship with a Father who loves us.
