Pray!

Pray!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:9‭-‬13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 

[11] Give us this day our daily bread. 

[12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

We read here the account of the teaching of Jesus on prayer. This is part of the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain, and in another account, it was the disciples of Jesus who came to Him, asking that He teach them how to pray. Whichever account you read, it is clear that Jesus was speaking to disciples, not the crowd. Prayer is required for disciples, because it is the secret of the power that God releases for exploits and miracles. The life of Jesus is the perfect example of the power of prayer. Jesus spent quite some time in the secret place, praying. We read different accounts of being in a private place and praying all night. These happened in secret, away from the public eye, but there was no denying the power that was made manifest in the public place. If I will walk in the same path, I must alao pay attention to the private investment of prayer. That is the secret to public impact. 

As I read the sample of prayer laid out in the verses above, it is clear that the foundation of effective prayer is knowing God. It is not head knowledge, but heart conviction. Knowing  God helps me make it clear who He is, what He wants from me, and how He wants me to approach. How else can anyone call God Father, if there is no healthy relationship between God and the person praying? How would I be certain of an answer, no matter what it is, if there has not been previous instances where I prayed and God answered? The prayer above asks that the will of the Lord be done on the earth, as it is done in heaven. This God is also King, and his kingdom has no limits. Heaven has no doubt who is in charge and no matter what the earth says, one day, it will also acknowledge and submit to God as the sole authority over all. Would I submit of my own freewill today? If I wait till it is too late, it will indeed be too late. 

All that I need for life and Godliness are made available by the Father. It is critical to note that some provisions are general for all human beings, but some are only for children. That is why I bear my father's name to distinguish me from any other person, and I take priority with my Father before any other person. Do I bear the name of my Father, or am I trying to please as many authorities as I can? Can I trust with all my needs? Can He protect me from harm and temptations, delivering me on a daily basis from anything that may seek to hurt or destroy me? God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but you can be sure that whatever is handed over to Him is kept safe for all of eternity. One day soon, the end of this present earthly phase will come, and all that will matter is the authority I have submitted to. Is God my Father? God's time of favour is here.