HOW TO PRAY

By Rick Mathes

And it came about that while He was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

There really isn’t a guideline on how to pray except what is commonly called “The Lord’s Prayer” which is really, “The Disciple’s Prayer.” But that’s another issue. What I want to do here si skim the tree-tops so to speak of the essential components of your mindset when you pray. He is our loving God that hears, forgives and heals. All we need to do is be humble, pray, seek His face and turn from out evil ways: simple but not easy. Praying in faith effectively is a life-long exercise in spiritual weight-lifting that will continue to our very last amen.

The only place to put your heart in prayer is in His will. You will learn this when you read the Word and get to know Him. The more personal He becomes to you the more your mind is in sync with His, much like my wife and I for over 30 years. We think each other’s thoughts, do you understand what I mean?

A pure heart produces a pure confession. There is nothing greater than a clean conscience and a comfort zone of living which repels sin and sinners much like a shield on the front line of battle. Transparency is the only way to live. Let it all hang-out and beg the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin so that you can pursue holiness without brakes or back allies to hide out in.

It all boils down to repentance the sins that murdered our dear Lord. I still get hammered for being “judgmental” when I am speaking “Biblically.” What I should do is just quote Jesus and makes my critics blood run cold. Learn from this my child.

With repentance must follow forgiveness. How can we not forgive others for offending us when we recall how severely we have offended our loving God? The answer of any question of prayer is entirely in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Third Person so that we may pray in truth. The Comforter only comforts those with clean hearts who need comforting. Isn’t this the experience we require when we pray and the Holy Spirit comes upon us? Try it you will like it!