“When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day 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 evil.
“For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:5-13
His disciples had observed a lot of prayer, and in this personal teaching to them about it, Jesus addressed the extraneous and led them to the heart. He wanted to steer them from cursory practices and tradition to the truth about Him and this privilege of heavenly communion they would soon enjoy after His departure. Do away with pomp and trite formulas, any horizontal focus and attention- grabbing, and gaze upward. Almighty God is transcendent, divine, wholly other than you, yet is your loving Father, and listening. He is infinitely holy, His name is to be revered. Begin with this mindset, this captivation, this humbled hallowing, and your prayers will be transformed.
When we start prayer with the Lord, our desires are sanctified. Honoring God fills the soul with holy gratitude, perpetuates a high view of Him, and both stimulates and shapes large asking. Requests change from restricted, visionless self-interests to wide heavenly purposes, from a walled-in, provincial territory of family and safe life circle to His kingdom. That’s where He reigns, where His plans unfold and are worked out for His glory. It is as we meditate on His heavenly rule that we begin to see with an eternal perspective.
The beautiful thing about praying this way is that when God answers, we are able to understand what true treasure is, and store them in heaven. We are able to put to rest anxiety over things of this world, because we’re convinced that God’s kingdom and righteousness are supreme, and he will supply for every known and unknown when we first seek Him. Daily needs are met so we can see and participate in eternal lessons. Forgiveness is received so we can, with lavish love, freely forgive others. Daily prayers are sustenance for ongoing life and ministry. (Matthew 6:19-21,25-34; Ephesians 4:32)
How is my prayer life? Am I bereft of desire to persevere? Do I murmur empty words? What are my greatest hindrances to regular prayer, and how will I address them? When will I trust the hallowed One to help me be consistent? Keeping His instructions fuel abundant life. (Deuteronomy 32:47)
Lord, help me pray effectively, consistently, in Your name, and for Your glory. (John 14:13-14)
As the rain and snow 