Day 19 – March 13, 2010
A Few Notes on Prayer
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV) 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will
be heard because of their many words. 8Do 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, 10your
kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us
our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the
evil one.’ 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Jesus taught us to pray – Many times in the New Testament we see where Jesus went to be alone and
talk to the Father. So prayer is talking with, listening to, communicating with the Father
Prayer is not a one-way conversation – it is talking and listening
How do we listen? Every time before reading a passage of scripture, pray for God to speak to you through
the passage you are about to read. God speaks through His Word!
This is not so much to change God but to bring us in line with what God would have us to be like
and what He would have us do.
The Bible teaches us that we are to pray continually, I Thessalonians 5:16-18, 16Be joyful always;
17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I often go on prayer walks or runs – just me and the Lord. If I am driving by myself, I don’t typically
listen to the radio, but I pray. When I am sitting in meetings, I am in an attitude of prayer.
Prayer is about communication – say what you mean and mean what you say – you are not to pray for
others to hear and be impressed with what you have to say.
The Message – “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of
formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall
for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.
With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.”
Conclusion – Jesus taught us we should pray; Jesus is our example. I Thessalonians tells us to pray
continually. The words you use are not important, the communication is! Remember that God is Holy, He
is our Father, not just another person. Pray for God’s will; that tells me we should search Scripture to find
what His will is. Ask God to meet our daily needs – No barn building, Ask for and give forgiveness.
The ACTS way of prayer:
A – Adoration, C – Confession, T – Thanksgiving, S – Supplication (praying for your needs and the needs
of others)
Lord, teach us to pray. Amen.
Submitted by: Rev. Ronnie G. Collins
