After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)
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ave you ever tried to pray and the words just would not come to you? Have you ever tried to pray, and your mind just wandered because you could not get that connection with the Lord? Let’s make sure that you know what it means to pray.
According to the King James Bible Dictionary Online, “to pray means to ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable; to entreat; to supplicate; to petition; to ask, as for a favor; …”
I feel that most Christian believers know the meaning of prayer. The issue is do they know how to pray?
Then what does the Word say about how to pray? “… But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:5-6 KJV). Many times these verses are misinterpreted. Your prayer is for and to God. It is a two-way conversation between you and God.
If you do not know how to pray, you are missing out on the power of prayer. Prayer changes things. It gets your mind off things that you cannot change, so it relieves you of worry. It reminds you who Jesus is. It allows you to put your full trust in God. Further, prayer reminds you Who is in total control of your life each day.
If you need some more insight on how to pray, take a look at “Six-step Guide to Prayer,” which uses excerpts (along with different versions) from “The Lord’s Prayer.”
“Refocus on God.
‘Our Father in heaven, holy is Your Name …’
“Realign your will.
‘Your kingdom come …’
“Release your concerns.
‘Give us today the food we need …’
“Repent and respond.
‘And forgive us … as we forgive …’
“Request God’s protection.
‘… deliver us from evil …’
“Rejoice and reflect.
‘Celebrate what God has done in your life, and look for ways to worship Him throughout your day.’”
(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)
