Prayer,
talking with God.

Welcome to Day 5!

Today we will explore prayer and its importance. If you live in America, you have probably heard the phrase "communication is key." It is no different within our relationship with God. It is imperative that we take hold of one of the most important tools we have for building our relationship with Him. Prayer can best be summarized as communication with God, and it should be a very familiar practice in your life. So let us start to understand the concept of prayer through scripture.

How Do We Pray?

Prayer is simply talking to God, just like you would talk or communicate with any human on earth. The difference is that He is God, but He is also our Father, and we are His sons and daughters, so we should approach Him within that mindset. I would dare to say that there is no special formula or structure to prayer. It is not as if you say a prayer a certain way that God will hear you better, but I would tell you that (James 5:16) says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." So if you are in Christ and are truly devoted to Him, I believe He hears us.

A part of Jesus's earthly ministry was to set an example for us, and He does this for us in many aspects, including prayer. I do not think there is a better example for us to learn prayer from than Jesus Himself. The book of Matthew provides us with great insight into this concept.

From the Lord's Prayer, we learn six things about how we should approach God:

1. God as Father

   Knowing that God is not some far off being but is personal and intimate, and that we are His children. To recognize Him as Father also means we can trust Him to restore, protect, forgive, love, and encourage us.

   Matthew 6:9
2. Honor God

   Hallow means to make or declare holy, meaning we should approach God with honor and reverence, understanding His Lordship in our lives.

   Matthew 6:9
3. Prioritize God's Will

   This acknowledges God's will to be a priority within your life and understanding.

   Matthew 6:10
4. Gratitude For His Provision

   This acknowledges that everything that gives life comes from God. Daily bread is a posture of trust, that He is the One who sustains us each day.

   Matthew 6:11
5. Repentance And Forgiveness

   This reminds us to acknowledge and repent from the sin in our lives, while choosing to forgive those who have sinned against us, walking with no offense.

   Matthew 6:12
6. Victory Over The Enemy

   The enemy will come at us in various ways. We need God's assistance to combat our sinful nature and Satan, and through Christ we are given victory in our lives.

   Matthew 6:13

How Do We End A Prayer?

The most common phrases to end a prayer are: "In Jesus' Name" or "Amen" (which means to agree or affirm). Again, this is just a suggestion, but we have come to use these phrases because of verses like (John 14:13-14) and (Ephesians 3:21).

Who Do We Pray To?

We will learn more about the Trinity in Week 2, but because God is three in one, you can address any one of the three depending on the nature of your prayer. I truly believe it gets to God, no matter whom we address, but most commonly we hear the term "God," "Lord," or "Father" to start a prayer, and that is because of (Matthew 6:9).

Communication Is A Two Way Street

I would like to encourage you, as you talk with God, take time to reflect on what God might be saying back to you. As you grow in your faith, the Spirit of God communicates to us all the time; we just have to tune in to hear the voice of God. God speaks through scripture, in our thoughts, with internal impressions, and through our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The following are simple, practical ideas to help you grow in prayer. None of these are required, but each one has helped countless believers find rhythm and depth in their walk with God.

• Prayer journaling

  Writing down your prayers helps you focus, reflect, and see how God answers over time.

• Prayer walks

  You can walk and talk to God. You do not always need to be sitting down. Many find this helpful because it removes them from distractions.

• A dedicated prayer space

  Find a quiet room or area where you are free from interruptions and distractions.

• Worship music

  I personally do this often when I pray. Worship music, or instrumental music without words, can help you focus during prayer time with God.

• Silence your phone

  Simply put your phone on silent or focus mode to avoid distractions while you talk with the Father.