Prayer Is Important but Why Do We Pray and How Should We Pray?
David Ince
You may well ask how did I feel led to explore the subject of prayer? Well, towards the end of August this year there was one particular verse that came before me from two different directions, namely: – “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT). It was quoted in Word for Today and in the Mission Aviation Fellowship booklet entitled ‘Global Week of Prayer 2020’.
It is also good to note the two preceding verses (16 and 17) which direct us to “Always be joyful” and “Never stop praying”.
Prayer of course is our means of communication with God our Father and His Son our Lord Jesus Christ and when we pray to our Father we pray through His Son.
In verse 18 we get a clear direction that we are to be thankful in all circumstances and that this is a commandment and not a choice! Why? Because our God appreciates our expressions of gratitude.
I am sure that when we were children, we can all recall our parents reminding us to say ‘thank you’ for a whole variety of things that we had been given and as ‘Children of God’ our Father likes to hear us say exactly that.
The Psalmist David wrote “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2) and Paul declared in Ephesians 6:20 “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I am sure the disciples knew the importance of prayer, but they needed to be taught ‘How to pray’ and hence the Lord Jesus gave them ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ to be their guide.
In Matthew 6:9 in the King James Version it says “After this manner therefore pray ye” and in the New International Version it says “This, then, is how you should pray”. So, this was effectively a model of how to pray for us to put this guidance into our own words.
Firstly, the opening is God centred as we acknowledge God as our Father in heaven and we read in Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV) that ‘your’ is mentioned three times: –
Hallowed be your name
Your kingdom come
Your will be done on earth as it is heaven
Our prayers should start by acknowledging God as our Father, exalting His position and recognising what is to come. So, at the commencement of our prayers our words should be focused on God. Often our prayers go straight to what is on our mind and we forget that actually we should give thanks to God and praise God for the exalted position that we find ourselves in as Christians through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we start to explore the Lord’s prayer it is helpful to appreciate the sequence that has been mapped out. So, having acknowledged God the Father and given thanks and praise we ask for God’s will, we then express our needs, followed by asking for our personal forgiveness(in other words – ensure we “keep short accounts” – as Paul our Minister would say), then we move on seeking help to avoid temptation and to save us from the evil one.
In essence a perfect model for prayer but how often do we pray in this manner. Yes, there are of course times when circumstances demand an immediate heart rendered prayer and our God acknowledges that and answers as He sees best – even if it isn’t the answer we were seeking or in the time frame that we have set!
So, having acknowledged God the Father we move from ‘your’ to ‘us’: –
“Give us today our daily bread”
“Forgive us our debts”
“lead us not into temptation”
“deliver us from the evil one”
Isn’t it amazing and wonderful that we can have this intimate conversation with our God and perhaps a privilege that we do not always recognise or indeed utilise.
I am reminded of the words from the evangelist Billy Graham when he said “God wants us to talk with Him, our heavenly Father, and He takes delight in us when we come to him in prayer” and he quoted Psalm 107:8 from the King James Version “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
I would suggest that bound up in the Lord’s Prayer there is much teaching – perhaps it teaches us to find reasons to give thanks in every circumstance or experience, to have hearts of gratitude, indeed joyful hearts that speak of our wonder, to be able to use the weapon of praise against every onslaught of fear or doubt, bereavement struggles, financial challenges, isolation, loneliness, uncertainty, depression, anxiety, addiction – for God knows all about us – there is nothing hidden from Him and He can provide the freedom that only He can give of hope, reconciliation, peace and so much more. Our God is a God of abundance in every area and has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate extravagant and inexhaustible kindness. Therefore, we should always give our unreserved thanks that He listens to our heartfelt prayers and answers them.
So, what stops us from talking to God regularly? If that is your position it might be useful to write down what hinders valuable prayer time and recognise what needs to change.
I acknowledge that prayer is not always easy and like many things in life it needs practice but if we are to grow in our faith, we need to have open and honest conversations with our God.
I read an article some time ago that translated the Lord’s Prayer (as below) in a way that some might feel is easier to understand while maintaining all the elements that our Lord Jesus Christ expressed to His disciples.
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one.
Also, from the same article you may find the following headings, scriptures and examples, which I have slightly adapted, helpful to incorporate in your prayer time and in maintaining a healthy prayer life: –
Pray for God to be known – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV) – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Example: – Dear God and Father, as we turn to you through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, we know that You are above all things and that by You all things are held together. Today, please be glorified in this world. Would people who have never met You, find You. Amen
Pray for the World – Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) – Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers.
Example: – Dear God and Father, as we turn to you through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, please set this world right. Do what’s best for Your kingdom, and fill Your people with mercy, strength, and bright ideas so that we can spiritually contribute to this world. Amen.
Pray for What You Need – Philippians 4:6 NLT) – Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Example: – Dear God and Father, as we turn to you through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, You know what I need before I do. So please give me what I need today so that I can focus on You, and not on my problems. And, when it comes to tomorrow’s needs, I trust that You will provide. Amen.
Pray for Forgiveness – Mark 11:25 (NLT) – But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
Example: – Dear God and Father, as we turn to you through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, You alone know our intentions. Please forgive the people who have wronged me because I have forgiven them as You have asked. And Lord, forgive me because I’ve also messed up. Amen.
Pray for Protection – 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (NIV) – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Example: – Dear God and Father, as we turn to you through your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, protect our bodies and our minds, and give us Your strength to endure temptation and trials. Amen.
Original words (V1) and music by Helen H. Lemmel. Add. words (V2-4) by George Romanacce, Nathan Stiff, Nic Trout, and Kevin Winebarger. Chorus by George Romanacce, Nathan Stiff, Nic Trout, and Kevin Winebarger. © 2019 Sovereign Grace Worship/ASCAP, Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI, Sovereign Grace Songs/SESAC (adm. worldwide at CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK & Europe which is adm. by Integrity Music). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. All rights reserved.
Prayer
Dear God and Father as we turn to you in prayer through your Son the Lord Jesus Christ help us to appreciate more the power of prayer, help us to pray more and give thanks and praise to you for supplying our daily needs while seeking your forgiveness, care and protection. Amen.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Lyrics
SONG 1 Open our eyes, Lord
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears Lord
And help us to listen,
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus.
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears Lord
And help us to listen,
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus.
SONG 2 Turn your eyes upon Jesus
VERSE 1
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
VERSE 2
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased
CHORUS
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Saviour ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You
VERSE 3
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins
VERSE 4
Turn your eyes to the heavens
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout,
‘All glory to Jesus alone!’
1 thought on “Prayer Is Important but Why Do We Pray and How Should We Pray”
Thank you David
Very Inspiring Makes us think about our prayer time.