Written by Michael J. Martinez
Founder and Pastor of Guiding Praying Light Ministry
www.glprayingministry.com

For our first meeting we will begin with a manner of prayer?

We read in Luke chapter 11 and verse one, ?And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of His disciples said to him, ?Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.? People recite the prayer found in Luke 11 verses two through four and also in Matthew chapter six verses 9 through 13 as a way to speak to Jesus Christ, but it doesn?t work. This is not a relationship, and those who have kids or friends can relate to this. Imagine your friend, or son, or daughter coming to you everyday and saying the exact same things as a way to speak to you?it would get old fast. Saying a prayer to Jesus in the exact same way, each time you pray to Jesus, doesn?t fulfill a relationship.

The beginning of Matthew chapter six verse nine says, ?In this manner, therefore, pray?? The word manner in the Greek (houto) means ?in this manner,? ?thus,? or ?so?. The manner can be the way something is done, such as teaching someone in a certain format, if you will, when they are asking you how or why. You would tell people ?look, let me show you how it can be done so that you may understand,? like with getting a job for instance, making a resume, or talking with a boss; then you can fill in the blanks. So we can read in Luke chapter 11 verse one, that the disciples didn?t know how to pray because they never prayed before. So Jesus Christ doesn?t get mad at them, rather, He instructs them how to pray and they need to only fill in the blanks. This is a heart-felt prayer, as in an intimate relation.

The following verse would give answer to why I say that, ?saying a prayer to Jesus in the exact same way each time you pray to Jesus doesn?t fulfill a relationship.? We read in Matthew chapter six verse seven that Jesus Christ says, ?and when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.? Saying a prayer the exact same way every time you prayed to Jesus Christ would be a repetition and He says not to do this. Jesus goes on to say that He knows what we need before hand, so in a way, He is telling us to talk with Him. Do you not know what your children need as a dad or mom when they are growing up? Yes we do, but we want them to come to us and speak to us and ask of us. Well the Lord wants us to ask also.

We see six things in the manner of prayer that He tells the disciples. We see: 1) Our Father which art in heaven, hollowed be your name. 2) Thy kingdom come. 3) Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. 4) Give us day by day our daily bread. 5) And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. 6) And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Now if we say this prayer in the way it is written every time we pray to Jesus, is this a relationship? Well, not for me it?s not. But now let?s look at the manner ? when we are born again of the Holy Spirit and receive Him into our beings then we become empowered. We have the kingdom of Heaven within us, to guide us, to speak to us, to intercede for us, to help our every step, and to give us our gifts. Now as you walk with the Lord on a daily basis your relationship will get stronger and more intimate as you speak with Him in prayer.

Therefore, when we are on our knees giving Jesus Christ time we: 1) acknowledge His deity and mightiness as a way of introduction. 2) We praise Him in what He is doing in our life and with what will come. 3) We ask for His will in our life, that we might glorify Him. 4) We give thanks for His mercies, for His favor, for His wisdom, for His saving Grace upon us (remembering what He has saved you from) in our life, and for all the blessings He gives to sustain us on earth. 5) We ask Him to forgive us for our daily sins and ask Him to work in our life that we would also forgive others and pray for others as well. 6) We ask that He protect us, protect our loved ones, and offer up our petitions and requests to Him, that they might be answered in His perfect timing.

We must remember to never give up when it comes to prayer because sometimes God will say No, or not yet my child. ?Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened ( Mt 7:7, 8 ).? If you?re not persistent and do not ask, you will not receive. However, make sure you don?t get anxious, greedy or impatient in your prayers because it is all in Gods timing. He knows what you need and He knows what will hurt you and what you are not ready for. He will give you what you need but not what you want unless He sees fit to do so.

So as I pray for this writing I pray that it will bring blessings to you, especially the blessing of salvation. There is always more to be said so for now go in peace and may Jesus Christ be with you, Amen.

Reproduction Rights for Access Christian granted by Guiding Light Prayer Ministry.



Copyright? 2004-2005 GLPM ? All Rights Reserved ? Michael J. Martinez

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Published on: 2005-03-23 (3573 reads)