Some Questions:

•  How often do you pray?

•  What do you pray for when you pray?

•  What motivates you to pray for what you pray for?

•  Do you have a prayer strategy?

•  Do you use a journal (for remembering)?

•  Do you have a prayer spot, a closet, chair, etc. (for reflection)?

•  Do you have a time to pray (for regularity)?

•  Do you pray with others (for responsibility)?

•  Do you engage in a prayer posture like kneeling, bowing, lifting hands, or a combination (for respect)?

Some Teachings on Prayer from Jesus:

Jesus teaches us to pray Consistently & Aggressively

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray & not give up…will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day & night? Will he keep putting them off? (Lk 18:1, 7)

He went away a second time & prayed…So he left them & went away once more & prayed the third time, saying the same thing… (Mt 26:42, 44)

Jesus teaches us to pray for people we Do NOT like

I tell you, love your enemies & pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:44)

Jesus: “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing (Lk 23:34)

Jesus teaches us to pray Privately & Frequently

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door & pray to your Father, who is unseen… (Mt 6:6)

After he (Jesus) had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, (Mt 14:23)

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house & went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places & prayed. (Luke 5:16)

Jesus teaches us to pray Concisely with Focus

When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words…This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ (Mt 6:7, 9-13)

Jesus teaches us to Pray in His Name when you are in Need

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (Jn 14:14)

Watch & pray so that you will not fall into temptation. (Mt 26:41)

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there pray.” Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here & keep watch with me…My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Mt 26:36, 39)

Jesus teaches us to pray with a Humble Posture

But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast & said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. All those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Lk 18:13-14) He fell with his face to the ground & prayed; not my will, but yours! (Mt 26:39)

-David