When You Pray
He did not say “if.”
He said “when.”
The Lord’s Prayer
[5] “And WHEN you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. [6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
[7] “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. [9] Pray then like this:
“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 this day 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 evil.
[14] For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, [15] but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:5-15
Yes, Jesus said, “And when you pray.”
When.
You…pray.
Do we?
Pray?
Doesn’t it seem wise to speak with the Creator of the universe?
He loves us…you…me.
He wants us to speak with Him.
He invites us to speak with Him.
He says “Come to me.”
We do not need to see Him.
If you need proof of His existence-go outside. The power and love of God is found everywhere.
We do not need Him to speak aloud.
He has given us a book of His words. There is no other book like it. Read the Bible. It is God’s LIVING WORD. He speaks in every word.
Jesus said, “When you pray.”
You think, “But I don’t know how to pray.”
Do not believe the lie of our enemy the Devil.
We can speak and think.
Prayer is thinking and speaking to God. You say, “I’ve prayed and nothing happens. I have tried and tried prayer-and nothing ever happens. Think again. Jesus said, WHEN you pray.” How do we know nothing happens? Can a finite mind-yours/mine understand an infinite mind? We are God’s created. Should we expect God to be predictable as we think? God’s ways are not our ways.
Again, Jesus said, “When you pray.” Let’s start somewhere… if prayer still seems impossible…begin your prayer life with this prayer from Matthew 6-“The Lord’s Prayer.”
Then remember that Jesus gave specific instructions about prayer:
1. Prayer is between you and God. He said, “Pray to your Father who is in secret…”
2. Prayer should be simple. Jesus said, “When you pray “do not heap up empty phrases…(or) use many words.”
Really-Can bad things happen when we pray? Impossible. There’s nothing to fear. Prayer is talking to Jesus! He loves us. He died for us. He is never “too busy” to hear our prayers. Talk with Jesus…and be relieved…
Prayer is to be simple and sincere. Tell Jesus your problems. Tell Him your sorrows. He knows what we need.