How To Pray
Posted on 6 Jan 2024
Category: Well-Being, Prayer, Biblical
Author: Steve Vail
The Lord's Prayer Instruction
Jesus's instruction on how to pray found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4 has become known by many as "The Lord's Prayer" and is frequently used and recited as a type of "go-to" corporate prayer for gatherings such as sports events and banquets. The problem with the recitation of this example and instruction on how to pray is that it runs the risk of reducing it to what Jesus refers to in Matthew 6:7 as "vain repetitions".
My own apprehensions concerning vain and repetitious prayers have caused me to avoid even mentioning the instructions Jesus gave his disciples on how to pray. I now see that as a grave error in judgment, which has prompted me to study Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4 and utilize this wonderful example and instruction on how to pray as a template for my daily devotionals.
Before I go any further, I believe it is important to state that I dare not cast a blanket of condemnation on the practice of simply reciting these verses as a prayer. After all, it is the Word of God and His word does not return void. (Isaiah 55:10-11) Also, faith comes by hearing His Word. (Romans 10:17)
Now let's delve into Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4, "The Lord's Prayer Instruction" for His disciples line by line, verse by verse.
I start my daily devotional by acknowledging and worshiping my heavenly Father the creator of all that is and ever will be. I honor and praise His holy name.
He is one God referred to by many names. Below is a list of some of those names with their characteristics and meanings.
- In (Genesis 14:18) He is "El Elyon" - God Most High
- In (Genesis 15:17) He is "Adonai" - The Lord
- In (Genesis 17:1) He is "El Shaddai" the Almighty God
- In (Genesis 22:13-14) He is "Jehovah Jireh" - The Lord Shall Provide
- In (Exodus 15:22-26) He is "Jehovah Rapha" - The Lord Who Heals
- In (Exodus 17:15) He is "Jehovah Nissi" - The Lord Is My Banner
- In (Leviticus 20:7-8) He is "Jehovah -M'Kaddesh" - The Lord Who Sanctifies
- In (Judges 6:24) He is "Jehovah-Shalom" - The Lord Who Is Peace
- In (Psalm 23:1) He is "Jehovah Roh" - The Lord My Shepherd
- In (Isaiah 26:4) He is "El Olam" - The eternal unchanging God
- In (Jeremiah 23:5-6) He is "Jehovah Tsidkenu" - The Lord Who Is Righteous
- In (Ezekiel 48:35) He is "Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Who Is There"
His name is holy and worthy to be praised. Therefore, I revere, honor, and bless His holy name. (Psalm 103:1-2)
Knowing that His kingdom has yet to be established here in this world, I thank Him for the promise and the hope for that which is to come, that which eyes have not seen and ears have not heard (1 Corinthians 2:9), and that for which we await patiently, looking forward with tremendous hope for the return of our Lord, Savior, and King. (Romans 8:18-23)
I Thank the Lord for allowing me to co-labor with Him. I ask and thank Him for working in and through me to do whatever needs to be done, how and where ever it needs to be done to see and bring about His kingdom and His will done here on earth as it is in heaven. (Philippians 2:13)
I thank my heavenly Father for His provisions for me and my family, past, present, and future. "Daily bread" refers to more than just the food He provides for us to sustain life within our physical mortal bodies. It encompasses all of His provisions for us, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically to include every prayer petition we submit to Him on behalf of our selves and others.
When we sin, we separate ourselves from the presence and Love of our heavenly Father, and until we seek and receive His forgiveness for those sins, we do not have the confidence to boldly bring our petitions before His throne. (Hebrews 4:14-16) So, at least daily, I repent for my sins and ask the lord to cleanse me by the blood that was shed for me on the cross at Calvary. Then I profess and affirm to Him my forgiveness of any and all, perceived and otherwise, who have sinned against me. (Revelation 1:5), (Matthew 6:14-15)
I know the temptations that are most prevalent in my life and now that I have made a commitment to forgive those that have caused me to yield to those temptations in the past, I now have confidence when I ask my heavenly Father to lead me away from those temptations. I ask the Lord to direct my every step, that I would be at the right place at the right time to do His will. (Psalm 119:105), (Galatians 1:3-5), (2 Timothy 4:18)
This prayer begins and ends with praise and worship. All power and all glory to He who sits on the throne. (Revelation 5:13) I give Him all praise, worship, and thanksgiving. He is the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God who's glorious kingdom is forever and ever. (1 Corinthians 2:9), (Isaiah 64:4), (Romans 8:18),
The example that Jesus gave His disciples on how to pray in Luke 11:1-4 is very similar, nearly verbatim, to Matthew 6:9-13. One should note that when something shows up twice in scripture it is established and/or verified and it deserves more than a simple glance over.
In Luke 11:5-13, Luke 18:1-8, and Matthew 7:7-11 Jesus gives us further instruction on how His disciples are to pray - persistent, vigilant, and perseverant. This is reiterated in Ephesians 6:18 and 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Frequently, persistent and perseverant prayer is an absolute necessity. One example of this can be found in Daniel 10:13.
To learn more about persistent and perseverant prayer and how it relates to Intercessory prayer, I suggest reading and studying "Intercessory Prayer" and "Intercessory Prayer (Study Guide)" by Dutch Sheets
Moving Forward
For some time now it has been and still is my goal to rise early in the morning and begin my day with prayer. There are those mornings however, when like the disciples in Matthew 26:40 I have a hard time staying awake and my mind wanders incessantly. Lately, something that has helped me with this problem is to read through this study while praying in the spirit and then read and utilize as a prayer guide an article I recently updated - "Prayer Vision - War Room 8 Windows"
If you would like to use this as a resource for yourself, you are more than welcome.
Also, if God has given you something that helps you to stay focused during your daily devotionals I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comment section below or email me at steve@stevelvail.com