THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

In the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) we see Jesus spending time in prayer 25 times! The Son of God felt the need to saturate His life and work in prayer. How much more do we need to follow His example?

 

The problem is, we don’t feel any more capable of prayer than His disciples did! They asked Him, “teach us to pray”. So, in Matthew 6, we are given Jesus’ teaching on how to pray. His lesson, when you pray, pray like this:

  • Our Father, who is in Heaven - He is your dad and He is above, we are below. He is not like us!

  • Holy is your Name - spend time praising the name of Jesus and setting Him apart as Holy!

  • Come your Kingdom - Be done your will! - Ask God to bring His kingdom and will into your life issues - family, work, church, kids, city, nation, world, etc.

  • Give us this day our daily bread - Ask for the needs you have today. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Ask for what you need to follow Jesus well today.

  • Forgive us, as we forgive - Ask God to help you experience complete forgiveness and to help you offer that to those who have hurt you.

  • Lead us, not into temptation - Ask for the Spirit to lead you and to help you spot, avoid, or run from temptations that dog you.

  • Deliver us from the evil one - Ask for the authority to rule over the enemy in your life and day. You have authority in Jesus’ name.

  • Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory! - Finish by praising God and celebrating His awesome power and authority in your life and celebrate that He will bring glory to His own name through your journey.

 

In Luke 18, Jesus told the story of a poor widow woman who keeps taking her case to a judge that doesn’t fear God or men. He refuses, but because she keeps pestering him, he finally says, “I’m gonna give this woman her request, or she’s gonna wear me out!” Then Jesus says, “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?” And then, He asks a powerful question: “But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

 

What does faith really look like? People who are crying out to God day and night.

 

Let me urge you to pursue a consistent, hungry prayer life, and watch Jesus do mighty work in your life!

Jim Ladd