LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 6:9, “In this manner, therefore pray ...”  Jesus

 

This nation needs to be lifted up in prayer.  It has needed to be prayed for a long time.  From Genesis to The Revelation, there is absolute evidence that God answers prayer.  When people pray, God does things that are thought to be impossible.  When people pray, we align ourselves with the purposes of God and tap into His power.  It is clear that God uses the prayers of His people to accomplish His purpose on earth.

 

In Luke 11:1, the disciples went to Jesus and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples to pray.”  I have not seen in Scripture where they asked Him to teach them to preach, or teach them to witness, or teach them anything else.  They knew He prayed early in the morning and sometimes all night.  They saw the power and strength He gained through prayer. They wanted to pray like Jesus did.

 

Take a moment to consider prayer.  I must admit I have had to reflect on my time in prayer and I find it to be lacking too often.  But, think about it.  God has all the power, all the majesty, all the glory; you and I have all the needs, all the wants, and all the poverty.  He’s got everything.  He is the One who is able to provide.  He is the One who is able to make something out of nothing.  We have nothing.  Prayer provides the means to  come with empty hands to the One who is able to provide all we need.

 

How do you describe God?  Do you understand that the Creator of all things desires to fellowship with you?  Let that sink into your thoughts today!  What is mind-boggling to me is that He wants to hear about my day – my struggles, my concerns, that which makes me joyful, and that which makes me sad.  Think about that!  Can you imagine Jesus sitting beside you ready to listen and speak to you?

 

I have also found it interesting that the position I am in makes a difference when I pray.  In the Bible people bowed, stood, sat, or knelt when they prayed.  I cannot get too comfortable – my best intentions end up sleeping.  Walking has been a good way for me to pray.  Praying at my desk in the morning has also been an important place for me.   I also believe everyone needs to have a place they can be alone with God.  That helps prayer to be in secret as Jesus spoke about in the verse before our verse today.  Jesus had His secret places to pray.  He prayed early in the morning to commit His day to the Father.  He also prayed at night.  Praying at this time is a good time to reflect on the mercies of God. 

 

Jesus was teaching a very important thought about prayer.  Christians are not to pray in public in order for attention to be given them.  That is the way the Pharisees prayed; they wanted all to hear and see them so people would think they were godly people.  Jesus called them hypocrites for praying that way.  Public praying is not wrong!  Public prayer should be done silently or the one praying should not be conscious of others.  The Pharisees thought the longer they prayed, praying with the same words over and over each time they prayed the more godly they were.  That meant God would hear them and respond to them.  In reality, the prayers of Believers do not depend on the length of our prayer, the number of words, or the particular way prayer is done.   God does not want a lot of empty words.  He just wants His people to talk and listen to Him; He wants us to pray from our heart.

 

Christians must go to prayer with the simple faith of a child.  At the same time, we must remember prayer is to enter into the very presence of God!  We must remind ourselves who God is, that He is our heavenly Father.  He knows all things; He knows our heart.  He wants us to show our desire over things.  He has told us to hunger and thirst for His righteousness – to seek it.  He tells us to pray without ceasing – not mechanical repetitions with lots of empty words.  He wants us to pray believing He delights in blessing us and is ready to give more than we are ready to receive.  He wants us to pray believing He is concerned about everything we face this day and tomorrow. 

 

Do not doubt!  Jesus once again said in Matthew 6:6, “your Father who sees you in secret shall reward you openly”.  A strong prayer life is our greatest need.  I believe as we face tomorrow that will become even more important!  Christian do not miss out on the blessings of prayer because you do not pray. 

 

 

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