Prayer

    Matt 6:5-15  " When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

    Pray, then, in this way:
     'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
    For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

    Luke 11:1-4  “It happened that while Jesus 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." And He said to them, When you pray, say:
    Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”

     Matt 7:7-8  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

     Mark 11: 24-25  "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.”

     Let's look at what this prayer teaches us.
      Who - we are to pray to God - the Father
      What - give thanks, ask forgiveness, ask for our daily needs and
            protection from evil, ask for peace (1 Tim 2:1 ,2), share our
            burdens (Phil. 4:6).
      Where - anywhere (Matt 6:6 says in secret - or privately)
      When - anytime (1 Thess. 5:17 "Pray without ceasing")
      Why - for peace, forgiveness, health, to know God better, to know
            ourselves better, to become dependent on God, and because
            He wants us to.

     Do you talk to your parents or friends each time you see them? What would they think if you didn't speak to them? Giving people the "silent treatment" usually indicates that you're upset with them - or that you don't like them. How do you think God feels when we give Him the "silent treatment"? God wants to be involved in our life, like a friend. He wants us to include Him, to be close to us. He is always willing and ready to talk. He leaves it up to us to approach Him.
 
    Do you see yourself stopping to forgive others before we pray? Do you pray with the confidence and assurance that you would have with asking your Earthly father or grandfather? Do you see yourself praying more often to receive the many blessings that the Heavenly Father has for you?