Effective Prayer

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭13‬

“”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 ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God is our Father, whom we can approach freely as Father, while at the same time revering His holiness. The first three petitions ask God to accomplish His ultimate will in our world and reveal His Holy purposes to all people. The second three acknowledge our need for sustenance, forgiveness, and strength to face the rigors of daily spiritual and physical life.

Bottom line: Prayer doesn't need to be eloquent but reverent of God, penitent before God, and dependent on God while approaching him with confidence as his children.

Here’s four things that maybe you can stow away in your arsenal and your heart, just to remember.

Jesus tells us to pray for His glory, for the hallowing of God’s name as the king, as the sovereign Lord, who is going to make His justice, and rule, and kingdom known on the earth.

Pray for his gifts. “Give us this day our daily bread.” So ask God for his provision in this way or that way. Ask God for His glory. Ask God in prayer for His gifts.

Next ask God for His grace. Pray for His grace. “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.” So we pray for God’s grace and forgiveness.

Lastly pray for God’s guidance. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Ask God to lead you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

The throne of the Father is in heaven, and earth is His footstool, and yet His Spirit has taken up residence within the heart of each of His children so that when we pray, we can gaze into His face and address Him as Father, my Father: "Our Father Who art in heaven."

The omniscient, omnipotent, sovereign, eternal Creator of the universe is our Father in heaven hallowed be His Name!!!

Father thank you for this day and for the breath of life found in the scriptures. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord words are insufficient to express the awe and wonderment of being Your child. Lord we trust You to fill our daily needs as we depend on Your mercy and grace to forgive us and empower us to forgive. Lord may our lives be used in Your service to accomplish Your Will.

Be a blessing.

Father, we love You. Amen !