Praying is fun for three and four-year-olds, then what happens? Fear overtakes. Seems understandable to me. After all, the thought of an all-powerful God is intimidating to even us grown-ups, let alone to a child.
Put simply, prayer is talking to God, at least that’s how I teach it in children’s church. We can talk to Him anytime, anywhere, and anyhow. An altar is great, so are the knees, but standing in line at the grocery store is good as well. Your words don’t have to sound King James for Him to understand.
How do most adults pray? Do they have certain beliefs about how it should be done? Is the purpose to communicate with their Creator? Does selfishness lay deep within their heart of prayer? No matter how adults do pray, the real question is do they pray the way Jesus taught? Tomorrow we celebrate the day Jesus took our sins upon the cross, washing them away with His blood. He didn’t stay in the grave, though. Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. I’m thankful He rose again and is alive for us to talk to, and that He took time to teach us how to pray before He left earth. Remember, the Lord’s Prayer wasn’t Jesus praying, but rather his teaching us how to pray.
Let’s take a look.
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
Is this how you pray? Probably not. Americans have developed a narcissistic and selfish attitude. Our prayers usually look like this, “Dear Lord, Help me find a job and heal Aunt Sue of her cancer. Help the kids to quit fighting so much and please let the loan on that four-bedroom house go through. Amen.”
Where in Jesus’ example do you see him seeking help for himself? Was it for material possessions? No, not really, other than asking for daily provisions. Never did He ask to take away pain or suffering. Instead He asks for God’s will and strength to keep Him away from sin’s door. He also examined His heart for forgiveness. Before He ever gets there, He takes time to give glory and honor to God, our Heavenly Father, who art in heaven. Praising God was the first thing offered from His lips.
Which prayer example do you pray like? Do you have a tendency to repeat the Lord’s prayer instead of using it as an example? Do you remember to praise God’s name and give Him honor when praying? How about praying for His will and to change your heart, and keep sin at bay? It is often tough to remember such simple things. You might even be like that three-year-old as he grew older. God might be too intimidating to talk to so you find yourself not praying at all anymore. Or, you could pray at meals only, or even out of ritual.
Jesus should be your best friend – start talking to Him like one.
What could you do to improve your prayers or prayer life? Please share in the comments below.
Help someone else improve their prayer life by sharing this post. Thank you for taking time out of your day to share my thoughts. Blessings. You’re more than welcome to browse around in any category that interests you.
© 2016, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
You did a good job of simplifying prayer. Many people think they need to be taught the words to pray when its just a conversation with God. He already knows what we are trying to say, so the words don’t need to be perfect. were not graded on grammar.
Thank you for such a precise, clear explanation of how to pray, it will help change the prayer life of many. As we enter into His gates with Thanks, and into His courts with praise, acknowledgeing Him, then we have “Access”, to boldly present our prayers for others, for our country, for our unselfish request, for His leading in our lives. We have not because we ask not, according to the Word, yet we have to ask according to His will, not our fleshly desires. He will give us wisdom as we seek Him first. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you. The Kingdom is the King’s domain, His way of doing things. If we follow His leading, we will get His results. glory to god!