2:251 – Teach Me How To Pray

#faithbites #faithjourney teach

We are about to enter 40 days of the Red Letter Challenge, #RLC. It’s 40 days of reading Jesus’s words, the red ones, and focusing on his message. Before we begin this journey, and any journey, we should pray about it.

Most #faithbites start with and idea, them scripture, then an image. Today is different as Long saw this image in a classroom at church today, and figured it’s a great illustration.

Many don’t know how to pray or think it’s complex. Here’s a simple image that can help you pray. Remember, payer is a two way conversation with God.

Scripture

• “And 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. 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. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“This, then, is how you should pray:

  “‘Our Father in heaven,
  hallowed be your name,
  your kingdom come,
  your will be done,
  on earth as it is in heaven.
  Give us today our daily bread.
  And forgive us our debts,
  as we also have forgiven our debtors.
  And lead us not into temptation,
  but deliver us from the evil one. – Matthew 6:5-13

Reflection

These verses not only give us specific words, The Lord’s Prayer, but also when, where, and for what to pray. He gives us the power of prayer and how to use it.

If we break it down into five steps and a closing.

• Praise God
• Confess Your Sins
• Thank God
• Pray for Others
• Pray For Yourself

This is pretty simple. No flowery words. Just praising his glory, admitting you’ve made some mistakes, thanking him for his forgiveness, asking for his power for others, and them asking for what you need.

As we’ve said before, God doesn’t need you to pray, as he knows what you need. Your prayer is a phone call, showing him your love and your faith.

Keep is simple.

Challenge

If you are having trouble getting into a prayer routine, just try to follow the steps. It will become second nature before you know it.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy we all fall short and are thankful for your forgiveness. Be with the people of Trinity Lutheran as we begin a 40 day journey reading the Red Words of Christ. Give us strength to follow through and be enriched as a group and personally. We love you and thank you. In your name, Amen.