Day 2: Pray

Read: Matthew 6:5-15

We find an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Matthew chapter 6, which is the opportunity to learn how to pray, directly from Jesus! During times of hardship, we often instinctively turn to prayer. Even those who struggle with unbelief can find prayer to be a last resort when their back is against a wall. Whether tentative mumblings, verbose orations, or “wordless groans” (Romans 8:26), we cry out to God. We intercede for first responders and for the families that have been devastated, or perhaps for our own; we pray for rain or the cessation of wind or whatever needs are felt by ourselves or our neighbors.

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus said, “This, then, is how you should pray.” His teaching points to the reality that the Lord—the one who made you and invites you to pray to Him—knows the posture of prayer that benefits you most. In the subsequent verses, traditionally regarded as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus gives His followers a model for their time in communication with God. While His teaching is filled with wondrous wisdom, we’ll look at one quality of His prayer that has the ability to radically transform the way we experience pain and how we encourage others through it.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9b-10)

Jesus does not open His prayer with a focus on any personal or communal needs or circumstances, but instead with a focus on who God is—His nature, His character, His position. He acknowledges God as a Father, with whom our relationship is wonderfully personal. He declares His position in heaven—seated, authoritative, and possessing a perspective that is well beyond any maintained on earth. His name is hallowed—holy, sacred, and worthy of all honor. He invites God’s Kingdom and His will into our lowly, earthly place, fixating on that which is eternally good and whole and ushering it into the present reality.

An ever-growing body of research demonstrates how deeply our bodies are influenced by our thoughts. As world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf said, “Whatever you think about the most grows.” Jesus models for us the habit of first directing our minds to the power and position of God, rather than our problems, so that we become shaped by our understanding of who He is, rather than a fixation on the problems we face.

In adverse circumstances of any kind, respond with faith-filled prayer, rooted firmly in an understanding of the character of God. Meditate on His goodness and might, and before declaring any of your needs or desires, first declare who you know Him to be. He can change circumstances, but whether or not He does, the knowledge of who He is will transform your heart, strengthening it to endure whatever challenges you face.

Reflect:

• What are some of the things you have been asking God for with regard to the recent fires? What about in other areas of your life?
• Read Philippians 4:6-7. How does beginning your time of prayer with a focus on who God is help to supply you with “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding?" According to this passage, what does this peace accomplish?

Respond:

• Spend some time conducting an online search for Bible verses that describe the character of God. Based on these verses, write a short declaration highlighting the qualities of God. Then, pray, slowly reading and meditating on what you’ve written.
• Write down the name of someone you know that is in need of encouragement as a result of the Southern California wildfires. What is one practical way that you can be a blessing to them this week—tangibly representing one of God's qualities?