One of the strengths of our faith community is our active prayer life. Prayer is an important part of every gathering of our people and we regularly sponsor prayer activities for the entire congregation --most recently our 21-day Prayer Fast.
Prayer is often a high hurdle for Christians. Even the disciples asked for help in learning to pray. They must have felt the same roadblocks we face. How do we, lowly human beings, talk to Mighty God? The result of the disciples’ request was what we call today “The Lord’s Prayer.” The petitions of the Lord’s Prayer are a guide for us as we learn to talk to God.
Here are 10 steps from a book called
The Power of Praying Together, by Stormie Omaritan, which presents another model to help us learn to pray. (Our Wednesday Bible Study has been circulating this helpful book. If you’d like to borrow it, just ask.) You’ll see many similarities to the Lord’s Prayer, but it might help to state them another way.
When you pray. . . .
1. Acknowledge God as your Heavenly Father.
2. Praise God for who He is and what He has done. Give details!
3. Choose one of God’s names or attributes that has meant something special to you and thank Him for that. (strength, wisdom, love, guidance, grace, forgiveness, etc.)
4. Dedicate your day to the Lord. Put your day in His hands. Go over your plans for the day and ask for His guidance and protection.
5. Dedicate your body to the Lord — your health, your skills, your attitudes.
6. Confess your sins and ask for help in living God’s way.
7. Ask God to help you speak only words that give life.
8. Ask God for what you need. Don’t be shy. Remember God can count the hairs on you head. He cares about every detail of your life.
9. Pray for God’s will in your life.
10. Pray for others. Start with those you know best — your family. Move on to those in your church life, work life, neighborhood, and world. Again, give details. Name names!
