So, how should I pray? (Part 2)
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
How would you categorize your prayer life? What I mean is this…if someone would plug all the words that you have prayed into an artificial intelligence database, what would come out as the common themes for which you pray?
I don’t have this data…but I tried Google…here’s what I found:
A survey done in October of 2014 by LifeWay Research found that of those surveyed, here’s what people prayed for:
- 82% Prayed for family and friends
- 74% Prayed for their own problems and difficulties
- 54% Prayed for good things that have recently occurred
- 42% Prayed for their own sin
- 38% Prayed for those in natural disasters
- 37% Prayed about God’s greatness
- 36% Prayed for future prosperity
(You can read the whole article at: https://religionnews.com/2014/10/01/americans-pray-maybe-sports-team/)
This reality is why we need Jesus to teach us the Lord’s prayer. It expands our focus from personal and earthly needs to spiritual needs, victory over spiritual battles, ability follow God’s will, and engage in forgiveness.
Certainly Jesus also encouraged us to pray for people, for physical needs, and to call on him in the day of trouble. Do that too! But learn from the Lord’s prayer what other areas of your personal, physical AND spiritual life you can pray for.
Here’s the rest of the prayer with Luther’s explanations…enjoy reflecting on all Jesus teaches us with a simple, short prayer.
Give us this day our daily bread.
What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
What is meant by daily bread? Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What does this mean? We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.
But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean? We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
What does this mean? This means that I should be certain that these petitions are pleasing to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us to pray in this way and has promised to hear us. Amen, amen means “yes, yes, it shall be so.”
Apply: Which of these petitions is the greatest opportunity to add to your prayer life? What blessing do you see God working as you add that prayer to your prayers?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for who you are and what you have done for me. I treasure the fact that you have made me your child and gifted me with the privilege of prayer. As you invite me to pray regularly and about all things, lead me to never neglect conversation with you! AMEN.
So, how should I pray? (Part 1)
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
We all know it as the Lord’s Prayer.
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
For many of us we have said it hundreds of times. We can say it without thinking because it is so familiar to us. Perhaps you didn’t even read it just now, but just assumed you knew what it said! But one of things we forget about the Lord’s prayer is that it was given by Jesus to teach us HOW to pray. Remember he just taught how NOT to pray…don’t do it for show and don’t pray a mindless, repetitive babble. (Matthew 6:5-8)
In contrast he says, in Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
In Luke’s Gospel, the “Lord’s Prayer” is Jesus response to the question by his disciples, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1)
So, considering the context of Jesus’ teaching on prayer, he doesn’t seem to JUST be teaching us words to say, but also content to include. Each of these short petitions is not just a prayer in itself, but a category of prayer to consider including in your prayer life. To help us, what follows are the petitions with the explanations that Martin Luther penned to help parents teach their children for what they are praying in each of the petitions…let them serve us this morning to teach us as well!
Our Father in heaven.
What does this mean? With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
Hallowed be your name.
What does this mean? God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.
How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!
Your kingdom come.
What does this mean? The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.
How does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.
How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.
This is His good and gracious will. (reprinted from https://catechism.cph.org/en/lords-prayer.html)
What strikes me about these first three petitions is they are ALL for the spiritual well-being of our soul and the kingdom of God. A great reminder to prioritize praying for our spiritual needs!
Apply: What insight from these explanations stands out to you? Include it in your prayers today!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking time to teach us not just how to pray, but those areas of our spiritual life that we often neglect to pray. May we always hallow your name, prioritize your kingdom, and always walk in your will. AMEN.
Is there a wrong way to pray?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Is there a wrong way to pray?
I have to say, I have never had someone interrupt a prayer and say, “You’re doing it all wrong!” There have been times when the group with whom we are praying gets a chuckle because a someone prays for something in a unique or funny way. But can you pray in a wrong way?
Jesus said you could.
In Matthew 6:5 and following here’s what he says.
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
The wrong way to pray is to be seen by people so they praise you for what a great pray’er you are. Prayer is not for show. Prayer is to communicate what is on your heart to the heart of God.
Recently the Supreme Court took up the case of Joseph A. Kennedy. He was a football coach in Bremerton, WA. After every game he would go to the 50 yard-line and pray after the team’s game. Eventually players would join him. He was offered the press box to pray in, but refused and when he continued to pray on the 50-yard line, was fired from his job.
The court will determine whether this is a free speech/free exercise of religion violation, but what was interesting was a caller on a local radio show that said, “This is a violation of Jesus’ teaching on prayer” and quoted this passage as a reason. He surmised the place of his prayer was more important than the content of his prayer.
I don’t know the heart and reasons of Joseph Kennedy, but it leads us to consider what is our motivation for prayer. If our motivation is to show others how good we are at praying or to receive their accolades for what a great prayer we offered, Jesus says, “Enjoy their compliments, because that is all you are getting because the Father won’t hear and certainly won’t commend you for that!”
Second, Jesus says, “Don’t keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
Endless praying for the sake of trying to get God’s attention and to show you are really serious devalues the reality God knows your need before you ask him. When I think that because of how I pray, how much I pray, or the words I say in praying God will hear my prayer again shifts the focus off the Father who invites us to pray to me as the one praying. It leads me to think that HOW I pray is the reason why God answers my prayers.
This is the wrong way to pray.
We don’t pray for show. And we don’t pray in any way that makes us think the way we pray is the reason God hears and answers.
When you pray, stay focused on the one to whom you pray and trust that no matter what words you use, what place you are he will hear and respond because he knows you, loves you and cares for you as his dear child.
Apply: Ask for forgiveness for the times you have made prayer more about you than about God. Enjoy the gift of prayer that you can use any time, any where, with any words.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me and convicting me of times I have made prayer more about me than about you. Thank you for your forgiving grace and the reminder that I don’t need an outward show in prayer because you already know what I need before I ask. AMEN.
Does God hear my prayers?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Does God hear our prayers?
This is a good question.
How do you know if someone hears you?
Based on personal experience…I would say there are two main ways: 1) A person responds with appropriate words, i.e. talks back to you, or 2) a person does what you asked them to do.
Perhaps what leads us to ask this question about prayer to God is that a) he doesn’t always talk back to us, or answer directly and b) we don’t always receive what we asked him to do.
But maybe we have to take a step back.
Is there a scenario where God wouldn’t hear our prayers?
The short answer is yes, and you might be surprised at how often it could occur.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says this:
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
If we live in sin or have no solution for sin, i.e. forgiveness in Jesus, God doesn’t hear, that is , listen to our prayers. Sin separates us from God and breaks the relationship with the Lord. Until the issue is solved by faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God doesn’t respond to our prayers or anyone else outside the saving work of Jesus.
Sure people pray. But perhaps the clearest example of how groups of people can pray and God doesn’t respond until one of his own children offer up a prayer to him is Elijah and the prophets of Baal. (See 1 Kings 18). 450 Baal prophets “prayed” to Baal to send fire. NO response. Elijah, the prophet of the true God prayed to the Lord to send fire…he did.
When the issue of sin is solved, we can be confident our prayers are heard by our heavenly Father.
But what if he doesn’t speak back or answer how I prayed?
Perhaps there are times when we are praying that we “hear” God respond. Perhaps not audibly, but by the Spirit of God bringing to our mind and heart the Word and promises of God. The Word is the primary way God communicates. As his Word is on our mind and heart, God can bring his truth in response to our prayers. Hebrews 1:1-2 says,
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
If we measure if God hears us by how many times he gives us what we ask for in the time in which we asked for it, we may be missing out on how God is answering. God always gives what is best for us, not always what we want. God answering our prayer may be a “yes,” a “no,” or a “not yet.” His promise is this: (Matthew 7:9-11)
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God will always give us what he knows is best for us.
Does God hear your prayers?
As you are a child of God through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, confidently say yes.
He hears you and speaks to you in his Word. He hears you and does what is best for you!
Apply: What prayers recently have you been confident God heard and answered for you?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for removing the barrier of sin by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you for working faith in our hearts to trust Jesus as our Savior and know that you always work things out for our good and the advancement of your Gospel message. AMEN.
What is Prayer?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What is prayer?
Does God hear my prayers?
Is there a wrong way to pray?
Does prayer really do anything?
What am I supposed to pray for?
These and other questions arise when we think about and discuss the gift of prayer. This week’s devotions will tackle these questions (and maybe another one or two).
What is prayer?
At its simple definition, prayer is talking to God in words and thoughts. Perhaps this is best reflected in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Prayer is worship. Last week we talked about worship being our response to who God is and what he has done for us. Prayer is an expression of faith directed to the God who loves us and desires to hear from us.
Prayer is a privilege for those that are the children of God. Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Prayer is based in a relationship. Prayer is always directed to the being we think or have a relationship with. I don’t pray to someone or something a) I don’t have a relationship with and b) don’t think will listen or respond.
Think of an analogy of a parent. You can have your child in a playgroup with many other kids. They are talking, yelling, and even some crying for mom or dad. Not until your child cries out, “MOM!” do your ears perk up and you begin to listen to what your child desires or needs. So it is with prayer. Prayer is an expression of faith and trust of a child of God who knows and trusts God to answer. Sure, people around the world people are praying to all different entities…Buddha, Allah, and many other gods, but these are prayers the true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit does not listen to (We’ll unpack that more tomorrow).
So, as a child of God, God invites you as a dear child to talk to him as your dear Father. Martin Luther put it this way in his explanation to the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean? With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
So, enjoy the blessing of prayer. Enjoy the relationship God has established with you and trust his promise:
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Apply: When something is on your mind today…let God know. Call out to him, ask, seek, knock!
Prayer: (Your turn – simply express to God what is on your heart this morning.)