Prayer

Prayer is Talking to God

God always hears you when you pray. In prayer you can talk to Him like having a conversation with a good personal friend, using your everyday language. It is not necessary to use any special words or vocabulary. God understands and cares about you, your feelings, and what is happening in your life. He keeps track of every hair on (or off) your head; if He sees every sparrow that falls to the ground, how much more valuable are you?

God loves you and wants you to talk to him. He hears you when you pray. God is interested in the intricate detail of your life. Even though God already knows what is happening in your life, it gives Him great pleasure when we choose to share our feelings, thoughts and problems. He not only wants to hear you, but He wants you to hear Him.

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. This is the prayer He taught them to 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.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one,
for yours is the kingdom and the power and the
glory forever. Amen.”
- Matthew 6:9-13

Jesus did not intend for us to only use the exact words of this prayer, but He gave it to us as a guideline.

This prayer includes many elements. It honors God, and shows reverence for His name. It expresses our desire that His will be done instead of ours. The prayer also asks for provision for our needs, and acknowledges we need forgiveness and in order to receive it, we must forgive others. It recognizes the existence of evil, and asks for deliverance. It concludes with adoration and praise to God.