HOW SHOULD WE BE PRAYING?

 “ All your children shall be taught by the Lord…” Isaiah 54:13.

Since the creation of mankind, men and women of Faith having been calling on the Name of the Lord in the way they knew best. They had a sketchy and very limited understanding of the nature and ways of God. As a result, their worship of God, including communication and communion through the ordinance of prayer was at best a hit and miss. God appeared distant, detached and terrifying and maybe unreachable.

Jesus Christ is the express image of God, the Father. As a glorious Son He not only exemplified perfect relationship between Father and Son but inaugurated a new and sure way for the Redeemed to come boldly to our heavenly Father through prayer. His awesome life marked by incredible humility and surpassing diligence in prayer inspired His disciples to ask for a template in this privileged ordinance of prayer. Jesus instructs us all, “ When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us day by day our daily bread.

And forgive us our sins,

For we also forgive everyone who

is indebted to us.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.”   Luke 11:2-4.

 I was richly blessed many years ago by the compelling insights from a book written by Stormie Omartian, titled ‘ The Prayer that changes everything.’ In the preparation for this piece on prayer, the Holy Spirit directed me back to this beautifully written book to shed some light to us for prayer effectiveness. As a former student of Anatomy and now as a minister of Christ, we shall attempt to ‘ rightly divide the word of truth from this powerful template on prayer as instructed by the Lord. While the way for us to approach our heavenly Father is not written on stone, and so the Lord’s Prayer was not intended for mere half-hearted repetition without deeper personal reflections. I believe it serves as both a guide to prayer effectiveness and a remarkable treasure for insights on richer relationship between God and His redeemed children.

Our Father In Heaven

 For the believers, we know without doubt that God is the maker of all things including humans. He designed, created and brought us into existence. Our earthly parents were the channels through which we are made manifest but God fashioned spoke us into the manifesto of His grand plan. This knowledge and acceptance of this profound truth is a grace of God for us who believe in Him.

 “ But as many as received Him ( Jesus Christ ), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13.

 I am reminded again and again of the special privileged position  granted me through Christ to be adopted into the family of the living God. My earthly father did the best he knew for me before departing this life. He was not perfect just like all humans and had limitations. Many parents may not have been available for their children and the lack of intimacy may have left much to be desired. Many children in this generation are abandoned, unloved and the feeling of rejection cuts deep into their souls. This vacuum in endearing parental closeness creates all kinds of personality disorders, and the tendency to unhealthy relationships with people and drugs in order to numb the deep-seated pain and sense of rejection and inadequacy.

 “ Do not hide Your face from me….Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” Psalm 27:9-10.

We are tremendously blessed through Christ to be redeemed into a loving and deeper level of fellowship with the Maker of all things. Our God is supreme and has authority over all things. He is all- powerful and nothing is impossible for Him to do for His children. No one can snatch us out of His loving embrace. He is everlasting and so will always be there for us. Even when we mess up in disobedience, the Bible teaches that His anger is but a moment but His favor is everlasting. Our Father’s discipline is for our good and serves eternal purpose.

 “ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15.

 “ Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Isaiah 49:15-16.

As a redeemed child of God I am greatly encouraged by these awesome promises of God’s abiding presence, and ready availability when I cry out for His help in times of need. He has not disappointed or failed me. Though His timing and way of answering my petitions are entirely according to His sublime wisdom and will, I’m often in wonder at how my heavenly Father operates. My God, our Father, is most dependable. I encourage you to practice calling Him, ‘my heavenly Father.’ Make it personal and reflect on that truth regardless. It would change your thoughts and behavior for good. Our Father does not forget His children. He is never detached, distance or too busy. He longs to be wanted and needed. Learn to call Him often and He is ever ready to listen more than you can ever imagine!