Pray
Scripture Focus: Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 6:5-15
This is a new series of the commands our Lord Jesus Christ gave. I understand this is very limited, and I will get to each of these in greater detail as I move through this adventure. This blog is the third of five upcoming messages.
Jesus teaches us to pray with intimacy and purpose in the Lord’s Prayer: “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name…’” (Matthew 6:9). Prayer is more than a ritual—it’s a conversation with our Heavenly Father. As part of the Great Commission’s call to teach all that Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:20), prayer is essential for every disciple.
Prayer is simply talking with God, our Father, who hears us (Matthew 6:9-13). It’s an act of worship, dependence, and alignment with His will. In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus warns against praying for show, urging us to pray sincerely. The Lord’s Prayer models how to approach God: worship Him (“Hallowed be Your name”), seek His mission (“Your kingdom come”), ask for daily needs (“Give us this day our daily bread”), seek forgiveness (“Forgive us our debts”), and pray for strength (“Deliver us from evil”).
Prayer connects us to God’s heart and power. It’s how we align with His will for the earth and grow in trust. Jesus promises that God hears us; prayer shapes us to live out His commands. The Samaritan woman in John 4:4-42 didn’t pray explicitly, but her encounter with Jesus led her to share His truth, a fruit of a heart transformed through meeting Him.
Set aside time daily to pray the Lord’s Prayer, reflecting on each part. Worship God, pray for His mission, bring your needs, confess sins, and seek strength. Be honest—God wants your heart. Encourage a friend to pray with you, building a habit of seeking God together. Prayer isn’t complicated; it’s a conversation that changes us.