The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/100913.cfm) reminds me how God wants us to pray – not only for ourselves, not only for supplication of what we need, but with a lot of things more.
I recently attended a talk on prayer, and it made me remember a lot of things that we should remember in praying.
Prayer is important. It is our hotline to God. It is a way we can communicate with God. That being said, prayer is a communication, a two way thing, and not just us talking to God and asking a lot of things. We should also learn how to listen to him, how to be silent and feel his presence.
There are a lot of ways or guides to help us pray. One of the more common prayer is ACTS, or Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication. We adore him for who he is. We come with a contrite heart and say sorry for our sins. We thank him for all the blessings he has been giving us. And lastly, we ask for supplication for all our needs.
We also have our hands to guide us in praying. The thumb remind us to pray for those closest to you – our family, friends, loved ones, etc. The pointing finger remind us to pray for those who teach and instruct. The teachers, priests, etc. the middle finger, the tallest, remind us to pray for our leaders. The ring finger, the weakest, remind us to pray for those weak and need help in society. Then the farthest, the smallest finger, reminds us to pray for ourselves after we have prayed for others.
Then my favourite, and the way Jesus wants us to pray, is following the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father who are in heaven, hollowed by thy name
So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity, continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation! (Exodus 34: 6-7 - http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus/34)
è We remember our God. We remember what our God is like. We remember what God has done for us. We remember how blessed we are having such a great God. We are blessed that we can call him our God, our Father. We should be thankful and be full of awe as we pray, as we worship our God.
thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides (Matthew 6:33 - http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6)
è Out of love for him, we pray that we would have the heart to seek and obey God’s will in our lives. We pray for faith, knowing that as we seek His will, he will bless us and give us the things that we need in this world, as we serve and glorify him with our lives. We also pray for others, that they also seek and obey God's will in their lives.
Give us this day our daily bread
so you might know that it is not by bread alone* that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3b – http://www.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/8)
è We pray for God daily to sustain us, not just physically, but more importantly, spiritually. We remember that in this life, we need more than just physical food. Yes, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. We need his word, we need to get to know him more, so we would be able to truly live, to truly serve and glorify Him.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9 - http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/1)
è The gospel says we should forgive so we would be forgiven. We also pray for humility that we would recognize our sins. We are far from perfect, and we ask God for forgiveness. We humbly come to him for forgiveness. We have faith that as we do, God forgives us and cleanses us. We also pray for those who have sinned against us, that as we forgive them and as God changes us, they also welcome God and allow Him to change their lives.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 - http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10)
è In faith, we call on Him to save and protect us. We have faith that he will not give us what we can’t bear. We have faith that God will be with us as we fight our battles, as we win over the enemy. We also pray for others who are undergoing challenges, that they may remain faithful to God, and realize that God will always be with us as we become victorious in Him.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for all the blessings. Thank you for the gift of prayer, my hotline to you. I am sorry for the times I make us excuses and justify my not being able to pray. May I have a heart of prayer, a heart that would always want to know you more and be with you always through prayer. And as I do, may you continuously and slowly mold me to be the person you want me to be. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
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