What does Jesus say about prayer?

Well, in Matthew 6:9-13 He gives us a template to go off of when we seek God in prayer.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘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 today our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]

but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’

When Jesus says, “this, then, is how you should pray” He gives the disciples and all future disciples some amazing insight into how we are invited to interact with God Himself. We are to call and consider Him Father. What a personal and, at that time, very radical idea!

Not too long ago I heard some people leaving Church after a message that talked about Father God as Abba Father or Daddy. One woman said to the other “well I have never called God Abba or Daddy." I immediately thought to myself, maybe you should!

My point is prayer is very personal; God is personal and a God of relationship.

Prayer is one way that we can interact with, learn from, and experience God’s character, love, and wisdom. When we acknowledge Him as Father, sacred and revered, we are given permission to ask for things well beyond our own personal needs. It is through prayer that we draw close to knowing His heart. As this “knowing or hearing” grows stronger we can begin to pray with our Father rather than praying to Him.

When we pray with Him we can be confident our prayers are meaningful, heard, and will not be in vain. Imagine praying His heart for His people and plan, and knowing those prayers will be answered!

Blessings,

Allen