Prayer – as natural as breathing.

By mmayer
Pastor Michael Mayer
Luke 11:1-13

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.”

2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Video

Prayer – as natural as breathing.

We are God’s children, so talking with God and being with God is just the way we live. Do you find that you naturally are talking to God about some things, or asking for help at times during the day?

Jesus is a prayer word, not a swear word.

That what I used to tell students, and I still tell hockey players (if appropriate). You just have to take the situation that has so riled you up and then add the step of asking Jesus for help. The next time you feel shame or embarrassment, don’t get stuck in that feeling. Take it to the Lord in prayer, as the old hymn tells us. It does make a difference.

The Lord’s Prayer as a simple way to pray.

If you want to strengthen your prayer life, one simple way is to pray the Lord’s Prayer with careful attention. It only takes 30 seconds. Once a day makes a difference over time. You are training yourself to slow down, pay attention, and not rush from one thing to another.

Our Father.

My father recently told me about the first prayer he learned as a toddler. It was ‘Abba, dear Father’ (in German because he was 1 year old when he came out with his parents). I was so touched to hear that. It’s a beautiful, simple prayer of child faith and trust.

When we start the Lord’s Prayer with, ‘Our Father’, it lifts us into connection with God, and with all his children, because we are saying ‘Our’. It is more than just me who needs help, love and guidance. It is a lovely connecting way that we pray. We are never on our own.

Find your own prayer names for God.

Jesus called God, Father, or Abba (the name Jewish and Palestinian children still use today). What are the names for God you instinctively use when you pray? If some names have difficulties for you, use ones that work for you. You can even make up your own names. That often happen in intimate or family relationships, and it is a beautiful thing. Why not with God as well.

What is God’s name for you?

If you have a very intimate or personal name for God, does God have one for you?  Maybe you can sit down, ask, and see what happens in the quietness after.

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