Growth 02: Prayer is Important
Orientate
The Jewish spiritual leaders were good at praying. They had lots of set prayers that they had memorised and could repeat, and they were not shy about displaying their prayer life. It was pretty impressive seeing them on the street corner with their hands raised, praying aloud for hours on end. You couldn’t help but admire their commitment and ‘godliness.’ The trouble was that God had no interest in their prayers. They were just babbling on and on to the sky. We certainly don’t want to get this prayer thing wrong like them. Prayer is the lifeblood of our relationship with God. So how should we pray?
Explore: Matthew 6:5-13
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
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,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. How was Jesus’ prayer different from the prayers of the hypocrites?
Reflect
So what makes prayer that God appreciates? Well it doesn’t have to be lengthy or sound good. We don’t have to tell God about all the details. He already knows. And it doesn’t have to be public. I’m sure that God likes prayer meetings, but some of the best prayers are those cries from the heart when no-one is around to hear except God. So if you can’t pray for long or can’t pray aloud at this stage, that’s fine. It actually might help. But what does God want? Two things from this passage.
First, he wants your prayer to be directed to him and filled with trust in him. Notice that the first half of Jesus’ prayer is all about God and his power and plans. Ultimately prayer is not about our dreams and desires but about God’s plans. We’re looking for God to be honoured and God’s will to be done. We want what he wants. We long for God to be pleased and obeyed. Our honour of him and trust in him comes first. This doesn’t mean that you say these exact words every time, but the attitude must be there. Prayer is not manipulating God to meet our needs but asking God to do what he sees as right.
Second, he wants you to be authentic. Tell it like it is. You’ve got some issues today (“daily bread”), then tell him about them. Just be real. And you’ve made mistakes (“debts”). Don’t bluff your way through but be honest. “Oh dear, I really blew it God. Please forgive me.” You are under pressure from Satan (“temptation”). Tell God that you’re not doing so well. Ask for help and a way out. He knows it’s hard for you. The more authentic your prayer, the more God loves it.
Pray
Well I‘m not great at praying Lord. I wish that I could put words together better or pray for longer or focus more or have more faith. But I do want your honour and will more than anything and I can be honest. So may your plans succeed, and may you be respected and worshipped. As for me, well I really do need your forgiveness and help. Thanks.
Respond
Try praying this model prayer of Jesus aloud. Do it a few times. It’s good to pray this model prayer every now and then.
