Real Hope: Your Kingdom ComeSample

How Do You Pray?

Prayer is a fundamental part of the Christian faith. It’s a time to talk with God about what’s on our mind, about our challenges, joys and desires, and to listen as He speaks to our spirit.

This directive from Jesus in Matthew makes it really clear that God isn’t concerned with how your prayer sounds, what words you say, or the audience that may hear it, but with the connection prayer brings between you and Him. It’s a comforting thought that there aren’t any special words or phrases that make our prayers good or bad or make them ‘work’, but that all God wants us to do is talk with Him about things He already knows.

Did you catch that in verse 8? What we offer up in prayer, GOD ALREADY KNOWS. Prayer isn’t the time where God first becomes aware of your need, your sin, or your desire, but it is the first time you invite Him into it. God is ever present and ever available in our lives, but when we pray, we commit to being aware of that and make the choice to include Him in the events and personal heart-whispers He’s already fully acquainted with.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we’re told to pray ‘without ceasing’. That’s not an instruction to remain on your knees 24/7, but to continually be inviting God into your life through prayer.

How will you pray today?

Written by LAURA BENNETT