For 2025, I decided to go deeper with God. Just like any good relationship, spending time with God cultivates that connection. Prayer and how we pray is our communication. Jesus is an excellent teacher.
Last week, we learned prayer is the cord connecting us to God.
Jesus tells us, in Matthew 6:5-13;
“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,…”
Our Father…”
Most of us know The Lord’s Prayer. However, popular commentaries sometimes refer to this passage as “The Disciple’s Prayer,” for Jesus was teaching them how to pray. There is much we can learn from these scriptures but let’s start at the beginning, the “God” part of this prayer.
As Jesus teaches us how to pray, He begins with “Our Father.” By Jesus addressing God with “Our Father,” instead of “my” father, He is bringing us all into this family. Therefore, when we pray, “Our Father,” we are acknowledging that we are part of this family and we belong here. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit want us to know we belong.
1 Corinthians 8:6 reads;
“For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”
Verse 7 goes on to say, “But not everyone possesses this knowledge. “
When we acknowledge God as Father, not just my father but our Father, we shift into a more intimate relationship. Now, I am a part of something bigger than myself. I am a part of a family. A holy family with brothers and sisters that all look to God as Our Father.
One of my favorite things to do is have a meaningful conversation. Whether I am talking with an old friend or my mom, exchanging thoughts and feelings with someone in a safe space, connects us on a deeper level.
Most mornings, I call my mom just to check in. Often, she is waiting on my call, anxious for me to tell her all about whatever is going on in my life. I imagine it is much the same with God. Our Father is waiting on us to reach out at any given time, to share our inner most thoughts and feelings. With God, we are in a safe place. There is no judgement, only love. There is much comfort knowing, Our Father cares about the tiny little details of our lives.
God knows our hearts, sees our tears and wants the very best for us. But what God wants most is a relationship with us. God created us for relationship. We see small glimpses of that relationship in one another but it is nothing compared to the relationship we can have with God. Complete fulfillment. Overwhelming Love.
Prayer is the cord that connects us to God.
Not everyone has this knowledge as stated in 1 Corinthians 8:7. Not everyone has this relationship. But everyone can!
Prayer is the cord that connects us. Prayer can enter us into that right relationship with God.
We are all part of some great big family. Realizing God is Our Heavenly Father is our first step to this relationship!
Let us pray;
Our Father, our good and gracious Father, reveal in us power of prayer. Help us to understand that we connect with You through prayer and just how important it is in our relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
P.S. Join me next week, as we look at the “Holy” part of this prayer. Leave a comment below, forward to a friend, share on Facebook, Until next time, trust God that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. You belong here and you are loved! -M
One thought on “How we pray (part 2)”
Prayer is so important and so is praise because God already knows what is going on in our life. Very good. Love you