Jesus gives specific instructions regarding prayer in Matthew 6:6-13. This is known as the Lord’s prayer and Jesus gave this prayer as a model for his disciples to follow and for us too. As we enter the throne of grace we should keep in mind what Jesus taught his disciples and use the Lord’s prayer as a guide in our prayer life. The very first instruction given before we attempt to pray to God is to:
1. Enter into thy closet and close the door
Jesus was not condemning public prayer, Jesus prayed privately (Matt 14:23) and publicly (Matt 14:18,19); it’s the motive and intent behind what a person does. Jesus wants us to have an intimate relationship with him through prayer. The important thing for us is to take time to seek God and his will for our lives. No one needs to know or hear our conversation with God because it is between us and him, so we can have closeness with him as individuals. While there are times when prayer needs to be public, praying in a private setting focuses more on God and the importance of building a relationship with Him. The focus has to always be on God, whether in public or private.
2. Pray to the Father who is in secret
Praying to God secretly means not broadcasting everything for others to hear our conversation with Him like the Pharisees who wanted to be seen and heard by others. Their hearts and motives for praying are not in the right place; therefore self is made manifest instead of God. People don’t have to always see and hear when we pray. When we pray to God in secret, it is manifested openly. We do not want approval from anyone to tell us how and what we should pray. When the Lord rewards you with good things, others will be in astonishment and it was because of your faithfulness and commitment to his commands.
3. Use not vain repetition
God requires an open, honest, sincere heart. Empty yourself before attempting to have a conversation with God because when you are full and full of pride, you cannot receive anything with a full heart/mind. Little is much when God is in it. Instead of repeating words to make your prayer longer or the usage of impressive words—try to be humble like how a little child would approach his or her parents to ask for something. God is our Father—we are his children, so we have to approach him like we are children of his. This is not to say we cannot continuously and persistently bring the same request before Him; what He condemns is not having a sincere heartfelt conversation; instead of reciting words like we are reading a poem.
4. Follow the model prayer
Jesus not only instructed His disciples on how to approach God, but He also gave step-by-step guide as to how they should go about doing so. The very first thing that should be done is to praise and honor the name of the Lord, showing respect and adoration for who He is and for all that He has done, including his will for mankind and the world. Next, we pray for our daily needs keeping in mind that God is our provider (JEHOVAH JIREH) and sustainer. We do not supply our needs ourselves, He’s the one who provides the necessary means to meet those needs. Following is the need to ask for forgiveness for what we have done and the need to forgive those who wronged us. One may not think that forgiveness is a need, but just as there is a need for daily bread, there is a need for forgiveness for our sins. Without God’s forgiveness, we would be forever in debt to sin. The Bible says we all have sinned and come short of His glory (Romans 3:23), that is why asking for forgiveness is a daily habit we must practice. We have to ask God to forgive others who have offended us as we need to forgive them as well. We cannot expect to be forgiven without doing the same for others.
Apart from praying that our needs be met pray for His strength to help us overcome our daily struggles. As children of God, we are bound to face trials and temptations, but it is God who gives us the strength and the power to overcome. God in all His glory and majesty will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). We have to ask that He gives us a discerning eye to make visible the schemes and plot of Satan.
God wants us to be open with him and not hide who we are. He looks down on us with love and his love is all we need. Let yourself be vulnerable before him because he will not judge you, only love and comfort you. Finally, we have to pray for God to seal our petitions made before Him. He is the only one who has the power and the authority to do so. He will get all the glory and all credit goes to Him because only He alone can do all that we ask or think.
Our Father, which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom comes, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen!
