Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss ...- James 4:3
We are in an era when few people are truly experiencing the power of God in their prayer lives. Few are having regular, consistent answers to their prayers. The midweek prayer service at most churches is either the smallest service or it has been removed altogether. Why? Why are most Christians finding their prayer lives less powerful than God intended them to be.
When Christ walked with the Disciples they clearly heard His prayer life and finally asked Him one day “Lord, teach us to pray”. What follows is a short outline of how to pray directly from Jesus Christ and most often referred to as the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. Following are the elements covered in this lesson:
1) Our Father which are in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. The outline of the Lord’s Prayer begins with adoration – a focus on Who God is. The focus must always be on the Who. God wants us to know Him. Too often we put more faith in the act of prayer than in the God of prayer.
2)Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Praise and glory to the Almighty God. A focus on the promise of God’s coming Kingdom upon earth.
3)Give us this day our daily bread. Prayer includes a request for our needs.
4)And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Prayer should also always include a confession and admission of sin. Keeping a clean slate between ourselves and God is paramount to an effective prayer life.
5)And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Prayer should include a request for protection – after all He is the Great Shepherd and our prayer should mimic the Psalmist …though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…
6)For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen. The prayer begins with adoration, honor and praise and concludes in the same manner.
Perhaps our prayers are not being answered or have the power that they should have because they are out of balance: heavy on the asking and very weak on the praise and adoration.
