If prayer feels daunting to you, you’re not alone.
Many people find themselves unsure of where to start, or perhaps they only reach out to God when trouble comes knocking. But here’s the beautiful truth: prayer isn’t complicated. It’s simply talking with God the same way that you would talk with a friend, a family member,or your spouse.
E.M. Bounds understood this when he wrote that
Prayer isn’t something we learn in a classroom – it’s learned in the quiet, personal moments with God.
This is the ‘Secret Place‘ that Jesus invites us into in Matthew 6:6. It is where God pours into us as we pour out our worries and concerns to Him, and yes, even our joys!
Just Be Yourself
In Matthew 6, we’re encouraged to talk with God as we would with anyone else. The difference? God can handle it all! He doesn’t want us putting on an act or using fancy words. He simply wants us to be ourselves and come to Him as we are.
The way Jesus teaches us to pray reminds me of how children ask their parents for things. They say exactly what’s on their minds and genuinely believe they’ll receive it. And how much more does our Father in Heaven want to bless us with His good gifts!
Notice that in verse 7, Jesus says “WHEN you pray…”—not “if.” That’s because prayer flows from a natural desire within us to connect with our Creator.
A Template for When You’re Stuck
There’s no single right or wrong way to pray, but if you ever find yourself stuck for words, take heart. God gives us a helpful template in Matthew 6:9-13:
Our Father in Heaven, may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. May Your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Let’s take a look at this prayer line by line:
– Our Father in Heaven Notice the word “our”—we are all His children.
– may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. The prayer begins with giving Him honor.
– May Your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Heaven is perfect; earth not yet. So our prayer is that God would rain down blessings from Heaven until earth one day reflects Heaven’s perfection.
– Give us today the food we need The everyday needs of you and others, so that none of us would be in lack.
– and forgive us our sins Repentance for you and others, so we can continue living in right relationship with God.
– as we have forgiven those who sin against us. We forgive so He can forgive us – echoing Mark 11:25.
– And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. God knows the enemy is prowling around, but He wants us to choose to pray for His help so we won’t fall into the traps laid on our path.
The Lifetime Effect
Prayer only costs us our time, but it has a lifetime effect of changing our lives. It lifts our mood, magnifies Jesus rather than the problem, and brings us a peace that makes no logical sense!
Through prayer, we’re brought closer to God through the access Jesus has given each and every one of us. And on those occasions when we can’t find the words to pray? That’s okay. God has sent the Holy Spirit to pray on our behalf [Romans 8:26].
Philippians 4:6-7 is a favourite for so many Christians, and it’s one of the many reasons why God wants us to talk with Him:
Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
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