"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” -Luke 11:1
In immediate response to the disciples' request, Jesus gave them the instruction contained in Luke 11:2-13. However, as you read through the New Testament you will find that he taught them much more about prayer. I don't purport to give an exhaustive treatment of all that Jesus taught about prayer; rather I simply want to enumerate some of the things he taught about prayer, especially those things related to unselfishness in prayer.
First, Jesus pointed out that there are times when we need to get alone with God to pray for our need that we might serve God and others better (Matthew 6:6: Matthew 14:22-23). Was it selfish for Jesus to get away from the multitude and pray alone? No! He needed to recover from spiritual exhaustion, gain new insight into God's plans, and gain renewed physical and spiritual strength for the task ahead. Without times like these we become shallow in our service, superficial in our influence, and ultimately beaten down, discouraged, and frustrated.
Secondly, Jesus encouraged praying for the needs of others. Luke 11:5-8 is an example of importunate prayer. The one who asked, asked not that his needs be met, but that his friend's needs be met. The need of another has made him feel the poverty of his own life. Jesus taught that even when we pray alone, we pray "our" Father, "our" daily bread, "our" debtors. We must see ourselves not simply as a separate thread, but as an inseparable element in the closely woven fabric of human life. We have common needs, common perils, and common tasks--so much so that when we pray we say "our."
Thirdly, Jesus taught us to pray for the kingdom of God."Thy kingdom come." Surely we need to intercede daily for the whole lost world. We need to pray for those involved in mission strategy, for missionaries and pastors, for the strength of the churches, and for the power of God and the ethical teachings of the Bible to be let loose through those who govern.
Additionally, Jesus indicated that there are times when we should pray together for others (Matthew 18:18-19). We often quote the reference "two or three" as a contrast between the few and the many, while Jesus was contrasting solitary praying to group praying. He was emphasizing that he is especially present in a praying group. Praying groups should be established in offices, factories, businesses, college dormitories, and homes.
Finally, Jesus set the example in praying:
1) For children (Matthew 19:13);
2) For the sick Mark 7:34);
3) For his disciples (Luke 22:31-32);
4) For his enemies (Luke 23:34);
5) For laborers in the harvest (Luke 10:2);
6) For all his followers unto the end of time (John 17:20)
C. S. Lewis is quoted as having said, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.”
No Christian is greater than his, or her prayer life. The church has many organizers, but few agonizers (Colossians 4:12); many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. People who are not praying are playing. The secret of praying is praying in secret (Matthew 6:5-8).
A worldly Christian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness. People who do not come apart a while (Mark 6:31) will soon come apart. Tithes may build a church, but tears will give it life (Acts 20:19,31). This is the difference between today's church and the early church. When they prayed the place was shaken (Acts 4:31).
To put this all into perspective, based on the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6, to pray effectively we should acknowledge who God is and what His position is with us. He is the one in power, in control, and we are His children whom He loves.
We should submit to His will and realize He has the right idea about things. When we live our lives like He wants us to live them, He turns our ordinary moments into extraordinary holiness. Pray that God helps you get perspective on how close He is to you, that He shares space with you, that He is involved in the kind of things you do every day and is available at any moment to you; how can we respond any differently than by being available every moment to Him?
Let us rely on God for our needs. As we relay our needs to Him, we must allow Him to help us understand the difference between needs and wants. Before long, we will find ourselves praying for the things on God's heart in our lives. As we become aware of Him, acknowledge Him, and align our will with His, nothing will be too small or too large to bring to the throne of grace.
Remember, With prayer, God has the power to strengthen you. With prayer, you will feel the Holy Spirit changing your heart, making Jesus more real to you, satisfying your soul, strengthening your faith.
Scripture: John 15:7; Mark 11:24; Philippians 4:6; Matthew 6:7; Romans 8:26; Luke 11:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:6; Luke 18:1; 1 Timothy 2:8; Jeremiah 29:12
Prayer: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen
Have a blessed day,
Carrie Lynn
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