Are you happy with your prayer life?
Most of the Christians I know are not. We all know that we should pray, and should pray in some sort of balanced way, but we always wind up mouthing some version of either "Help!" or "Thanks for the food."
I'm going to spend the next three weeks preaching on the Lord's Prayer (see Matt. 6:5–15). I'd like to use this model prayer as a way of showing people that prayer is not difficult to do and to give them confidence that they can pray more frequently, with greater meaning, and with complete confidence that they are getting through.
Have a look at the Lord's prayer as we often say it, then chime in with some suggestions.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Here is what I am pondering . . .
- What are the reasons people struggle with prayer?
- What are the big lessons from Jesus' model prayer?
- Is there value in simply repeating this prayer word-for-word?
- What would you say to help somebody understand prayer and develop a more consistent prayer life?
Do you pray the Lord's Prayer?
3 comments:
I have to remind myself that prayer is more than praise and and laundry list of needs (mine and other people). I used to tell my students that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. We are supposed to listen twice as much as we talk. Prayer is at least 50% listening.
Here is a resource I have found helpful, especially when I am struggling and cannot find my own words. Often I have prayed these out loud.
Valley of Vision
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Vision-collection-Puritan-Devotions/dp/0851512283/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241112570&sr=8-1
Prying the Psalms is also helpful. Prayer is crying out and also a recognition of Who He is, not just requests. In fact, I cannot even go to the Lord with requests unless I remember how amazing He is by praising first.
Do take your sheep to the throne in awe and confidence! How wonderful this series will be for you all!
Good service Sunday...what I find interesting about that text is that it is the only recorded reference of the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to do something. You think about all the things Jesus did, all the healings, miracles, walking water, raising people from the dead and they ask "teach us to pray"...How captivating, meaningful, powerful was Jesus' prayer life that this is what they would ask to be taught?
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