A Breakdown On Prayer

Tonight in Bible study we talked about The Lord's Prayer. Such a short passage of Scripture with a huge impact.

In the book of Luke, this passage comes after the disciples have asked Jesus how to pray. It amazes me, yet encourages me, that they could have spent all that time with Him, in close proximity to Him and observing Him and breaking bread with Him, yet they still had so many questions.

The passage directly before this in Luke also deals with Jesus teaching someone something... and I wonder if it happened in the same place. Two sisters with completely different personalities... and a little sibling rivalry, perhaps. Martha had to be shown that it was important for her to learn to rest- to pause- to breathe in what Jesus had to offer.

I wonder if she listened as Jesus instructed those around Him about how to communicate God Almighty.

Praying is an open line to Heaven. I've often wondered about the simplicity of it... and even at times deemed it unnecessary. After all, God knows all anyway, right? He knows my thoughts and my needs...

But prayer is about relationship.  To develop a relationship of any kind, we have to spend time with one another. To get to know one another, communication is necessary, and God desires that from His children.

"Our Father- This part comes easy to me, because I've got a pretty awesome earthly dad who loves me and provided for me (and still does!!!). To some, though, who have strained or nonexistent relationships, this can be difficult.  He is our Heavenly Father- Abba- Daddy- who can love us like no other. I think of how I feel when Caleb is hurt or sick or in need of something. How much more does God's heart break?

who art in Heaven- He's the creator of the universe, and He looks down on us from His throne. Not in disgust or disdain or superiority- but looks down on us because He cares.

hallowed be thy name- He is holy. He is supreme. We should be in awe. Reverant.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.-In today's world, I think of this often. Life's so messed up. So hard. But it's temporary, and there will be a new kingdom, an everlasting kingdom. But here's the thing. Even though life is hard here, we have a little bit of Heaven in us. We're living for eternity. We long for more. And by allowing Jesus in, we can have peace and joy and love right here on earth. His kingdom, in us...

Give us this day our daily bread- Bread could be anything we need. Food, yes, but also shelter and comfort and clothing and employment and health- anything that helps to sustain us. We only need enough for right now, because if we have more, we tend to either squander it or worry it away. He told us to only worry ourselves with today because it's all we've got and it's got enough to worry us with.

forgive us our debts as we forgive those indebted to us.- Lord have mercy!  I want forgiveness, for sure, but am not always so willing to be forgiving.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. He protects us. Guides us. Saves us.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" It's all His. Always has been. Always will be. He's got the power and He deserves the glory and He is eternal.


The thing about prayer is it is immediate. You can pray out loud or in your mind. You can pray anywhere. It doesn't have to be eloquent. Just talk to God like you would talk to a friend...
And yet when I have a problem I want to talk to everyone else but God. I seek out everyone's opinion, share how I've been wronged, ask them for their advice on how to handle the situation...

When I've got accessibility to the one on High who is the ultimate problem solver.

When I don't know what to pray, His Spirit makes intercession for me.

Think about that.

He is sovereign. He is able. He loves us more than we can imagine.

How can I pray for you this evening?? It's an honor.