A friend asked me on Sunday how my prayer life was. Not in church, but in the quietness of my room, where there was no music, and no one watching, how would I approach the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords? I felt compelled to re-read a passage I’ve memorised ever since I was 5 years old, simply because if Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way, it must definitely be a good prayer! ^^
Matt 6:9-13
9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread.
12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
v9: “Our Father, which art in heaven”
The first step to an awesome prayer life is to acknowledge God as your Heavenly daddy. When I was a kid, dad was a superman who could do anything for me. He would carry me on his shoulders when I was too tired to walk, he would surprise and bless me with toys and things I wanted, he would give great hugs, and in my mind, daddy could do anything and fix anything that was broken. I loved running around and often got lost (especially on overseas trips :/), but each time, superman dad found me without fail. Likewise, God wants us to have childlike faith in Him, know that He loves us and hears our every cry, and that no matter where we turn or how far we run from Him, He’ll always be able to find us.
v9-10: “Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Praise Him for everything He’s done. Thank him even if you never get anything else from him, because He’s already blessed you so much. Realise that everything is under God’s control. You can’t have a great prayer life if you don’t believe that the one you’re praying to is able to intervene on the behalf on your circumstance.
v11: “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Pray for provision. Asking God to “give us” implies our weakness, impotence and inability to do life on our own. It says that “God I don’t have what it takes, but I know that Your strength is made perfect in my weakness.” A request is a form of praise; you wouldn’t ask if you didn’t believe God has what you need. Do you believe that God has what you need for where you are right now? Do you believe that the God who saved you back then is relevant for the struggles you’re facing right now?
When the Israelites were in the desert for forty years, God provided them with manna every day. (except the Sabbath) Elijah was fed by the raven that brought him food each day. God didn’t allow them to stockpile food, and fed them one day at a time, because it kept them reliant on Him for provision, and required them to have faith that God was gonna continue remaining faithful in His provision each day. When some of the Israelites disobeyed God and kept manna for the next day, it went mouldy. Likewise, we need God’s Word and provision in our lives daily. You can’t fight today’s battles on yesterday’s bread. God has given you a new testimony, stop trying to rely on past revelations to get through today’s struggles. Don’t always expect God to meet your current needs the same way that He did before.
God I thank You for who You are and all that You’ve done. I thank You that I’m Your child, and that I am loved. Help me to keep trusting You each day, and to constantly seek You in all that I do. Thank You, for always being faithful and always coming through for me, even in the times when I’ve been weak or run away. Love ya Daddy. (: Amen.
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