How to Pray

January 24, 2023

Matthew 6:5-15 | Philippians 4:4-9

A lot can be said about prayer. A lot has been said about prayer. It’s easy to overcomplicate. Jesus’ words here are simple and helpful.

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Matthew 6:5-15

“When you pray, don’t be like hypocrites. They love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners so that people will see them. I assure you, that’s the only reward they’ll get. But when you pray, go to your room, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees what you do in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t pour out a flood of empty words, as the Gentiles do. They think that by saying many words they’ll be heard. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask. Pray like this:

Our Father who is in heaven,

uphold the holiness of your name.

Bring in your kingdom

so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven.

Give us the bread we need for today.

Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you,

just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.

And don’t lead us into temptation,

but rescue us from the evil one.

“If you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.

Philippians 4:4-9

Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad! Let your gentleness show in your treatment of all people. The Lord is near. Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.

From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you.

Prayer

God in Heaven,

You are holy. Bring the way of your Kingdom in and through my life today. Have your way in me, around me, and well beyond me. Make it here like it is as you abide.

I pray for that which I’ll need today to live into your way. And I pray the same resources for others. Use me as a parcel of deliverance to those in need.

I pray for reconciliation, for forgiveness, for healing. For me and for others. Help me to actualize for others what is being realized in my own life: your loving grace and compassion.

Keep us today from the things that would remove us from your way, distract us from your path, or hurt us away from your wholeness. So deliver this world from evil. Use your followers wherever they may be as we get our hands dirty while maintaining pure hearts by your command.

I ask all this for you. And where I have it wrong, help me out.

By your Spirit and in Christ, Amen.