Teach us to pray-13

There are over 200 verses in the Bible referring to praying or prayer. A subject of such importance to all of us, needs to be addressed in detail. The apostles knew that they needed to know how to pray, which would suggest that they did not really know how to pray. Jesus gave them the ‘apostles prayer’. This is not about Jesus praying to His Father, but a sample of what prayer for us to our heavenly Father might or should include.

Matthew 6:5  "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 

6:6  "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 

These first three verses tell us a lot.

First, there were many incorrect examples of how not to pray that apparently were public. These prayers were meant to look good before the public, who were constantly reminded to look up to their spiritual leaders.

Second, prayer should be considered as a sacred and personal time between you and your heavenly Father. A private space keeps the world from distracting us, family from interrupting us, and keeps our minds from wondering.

6:7  "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 

Vain and repetitious prayers are meaningless to God and an affront to God. The Rosary is such a prayer, as phrases keep on being repeated. All of this is a programmed prayer that is anything but personal. Repeatedly praying the Apostle’s prayer is no better.

6:9  "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 

6:11  'Give us this day our daily bread. 6:12  'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 6:13  'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]' 

This provides us with a general guideline as to what we should include in our prayers. First, praise the Father, thank the Father, and pray according to the will of the Father.

Second, ask the Father for daily provisions, His power to help us forgive others, and protection from evil and the evil one.

6:14  "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15  "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. 

Forgiveness is the major theme or reason for Jesus coming as the perfect Lamb of God. We should forgive as He forgives us. As we are to strive to emulate Jesus in our own lives, then we need to forgive. Forgiveness will be addressed in greater detail in our next study.

More next Saturday