Throughout the New Testament, Jesus shows us how we are to be followers of Christ through his relationship with the disciples and interactions with the public.
While the pathway is narrow, it is made available to us today, should we choose to accept
Acts 2:40-42, NKJV says,
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
This passage clearly states that as we follow Jesus’ example, we must remain steadfast in fellowship with other believers and in prayer.
Biblical Prayers
Prayer is an essential part of your Christian journey. However, many believers today are frustrated with their prayer lives because they simply don’t know how to pray.
When I became the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, I observed that our congregation had a prayer problem. Those in positions to pray on the platform and in classrooms were praying unscriptural prayers, and it was then that I knew our leaders needed a prayer refresh.
Saints, we don’t have to ask God to prepare a place for us because John 14 says He will do it! Furthermore, stop asking God for salvation; if you have already accepted the gift of His Son, then you are saved!
The truth is, if you aren’t praying scripturally sound prayers in public, chances are your prayer life is off the rails in private. Here at FBCG, we know the importance of having a posture of prayer and believing in the power of a strong, healthy prayer life.
Are you struggling to know how to pray? Together, let’s look at the New Testament, where Jesus gives us a kingdom model of prayer.
What is Prayer?
Proseuché, the Greek word for prayer, encompasses two meanings: the act of making requests to God and a place for prayer.
When we pray, we must consider the importance of both meanings. As disciples of Christ, we must foster a lifestyle of communicating with God through biblical prayer and be intentional about secluding ourselves from the world so that we can connect with the Lord.
Over the course of my life, I have learned how to pray no matter where I am. We must be a people so intertwined with the kingdom of heaven that we can pray when our boss is cussing us out or as you listen to your spouse list all the things that aren’t right with you.
God desires for us to have a continual posture of prayer, no matter our circumstances or location. What a gift that we serve a God who is so faithful to hear us right where we are, with no middleman to go through. Furthermore, we can have faith that no matter what we communicate to God, He will listen. In fact, when I look back over my life, I can declare how God has answered my prayers, allowing me to stand in a place of assurance and confidence that He does indeed listen.
Are you treasuring this benefit as a Son or Daughter?
What Prayer is Not
Prayer is not informing God of what is going on in your life. Many Christians make the mistake of telling God what is happening when He already knows!
“Lord, sister Taylor is in the hospital and is battling cancer.” (He already knows.)
“God, I am down to the last few dollars in my bank account.” (He sees that.)
“Father, I haven’t talked to my brother in two months.” (He is aware.)
The truth is that God is not surprised when things happen. He knows every detail of your life and knows the end result. Church, let’s recalibrate our prayers to focus on God’s character and not only what we need.
Why Should We Make Our Requests Known?
God Commands Us To
If God already knows what we are going through and what we need, why should we bother making our requests known to Him? Well, because His word tells us to.
Philippians 4:6, NKJV, says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
When we pray, instead of informing, let us be a people who request that God move in our lives in mighty and powerful ways. Invite Him in and watch Him move.
God Cares For You
You are God’s child and anything you are concerned about matters to God, too.
1 Peter 5:7, NKJV says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
No situation is too small, insignificant, or burdensome for the God we serve. If something bothers you, bring it to His throne. God cares about you and what you care about.
Jesus’ Model for Prayer: P.R.A.I.S.E.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray, and this particular method is mentioned more than once.
What I find most interesting is that the disciples witnessed Jesus’ power—opening blind eyes, healing the paralyzed, bringing the dead to life—and out of all the things they could have asked Jesus, do you know what they requested? They asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.
They understood that the power of Jesus’ ministry was sustained through his prayer life.
Structured Prayer
God is a God of structure and organization. The universe has order. The way our human bodies operate has order. Even the way he teaches us to pray has order.
Praise (Matthew 6:9)
“In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.”
Matthew 6:9, NKJV
The first and foremost thing you should do in your prayer time is honor God. God is worthy of praise; it shouldn’t take too long to figure out where He has been good and faithful in your life.
God woke you up this morning.
Your arms and legs are working.
There is breath in your lungs.
Hallowed
The word hallowed means ‘holy is His name.’ When we talk about the holiness of God, we refer to His character. Begin your prayers by celebrating how awesome and powerful God is.
Reign (Matthew 6:10)
“Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10, NKJV
The problem is that most of us pray and ask God for things that are outside of His will.
It isn’t God’s will for you to acquire someone else’s husband or wife.
It isn’t God’s will for you to win the lottery.
It isn’t in God’s will for you to have an easy life.
We need to align with the declaration and surrender to God’s will in our lives. And as a word of caution, when praying for others, we should pray for God’s reign over that person’s life and that He will order their steps.
Be encouraged that everything will fall into place when God is in charge. He opens doors that no man can open and meets every one of your needs. With God in charge, we give room for Him to provide how He sees fit even before we even ask.
God is worthy to reign over our lives!
Accommodate (Matthew 6:11)
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Matthew 6:11, NKJV
When we ask God to provide our daily bread, we ask Him to accommodate whatever we need for our day.
The problem with most of our prayers is that we get caught up praying for things beyond our daily needs. You’re praying for things for the next week and the next year when God tells us to worry about one day at a time.
What do you need for today? Take those things and ask God to provide.
Iniquity (Matthew 6:12)
“And forgive our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12, NKJV
Far too often, we pray, “God, if there is any way in me that does not align with who You are, reveal it to me.” Church, it is not a matter of if but a matter of what. We all carry sin!
My advice to you is to be honest with God. After all, He already knows what you did. May we be a people who confess and acknowledge where we have made mistakes. (And while there are many things we do not know, may we be mindful of confessing the sins we are aware of.)
Shield (Matthew 6:13)
“And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13, NKJV
This portion of Jesus’ prayer method asks that God keep us shielded from things that are not prosperous or healthy for our lives. It requests that we would not be put into a situation where we would be tempted beyond our capacity or ability.
Everyone struggles with being tempted by something, and the devil knows this. He will put what you like in front of you. And that is why this part of the Lord’s Prayer is so important. We must be on our guard.
Do you believe that God can keep you from what you have no business having? Pray each day that He would put a shield around you and keep you holy, keep your mind in the right place, and keep your heart on Him!
Empire (Matthew 6:13)
“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Matthew 6:13, NKJV
We must pray that God’s kingdom—His empire—will be glorified and His name will be given the honor for all the days of our lives.
Let’s pray the model Jesus taught us:
Father, You’re worthy to be praised and glorified today. All honor belongs to You, and we celebrate the awesomeness of the God that You are. We bless You for the doors You have opened, the prayers You have already answered, and the miracles You have already wrought. God, come and rule in every aspect of our lives. May You reign in our comings and goings, in our families, and in our day-to-day activities. We invite You to rule on the throne of our hearts, Lord. God, be our provision today, whether it be financial, healing, or restoration of relationships. We confess and acknowledge that we are a sinful people. I pray that You will put a shield around us and rebuke every demonic distraction that comes our way. Rebuke every temptation in our lives because You reign, not the things of this world. God, draw those to You who are lost and backslidden. May Your perfect will be done today. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
For more on how to pray, check out Pastor John K Jenkins, Sr.’s sermon, How to Pray to God.
