How Do We Pray?

Looking at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, Louie Giglio shows us how we can mirror Jesus’ example of prayer by making it personal, leading with praise, asking for alignment, telling Him our needs, clearing the air, acquainting ourselves with His word, embracing the silence, and having a heart of gratitude.

Most people who attend church regularly don't pray or read their Bible regularly, but God desires for us to commune with Him.

In Matthew 6:9, Jesus assumes that we are to pray. He gives us a model, not to be said over and over, but an example of what to focus on when you pray. These are the basic principles of talking to God.

7 Ways to Engage in Prayer

1) Make it personal.

There's someone on the other side of the conversation. Prayer is a steady state awareness of Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a constant and seamless union of heart with the Almighty that SHIFTS earthly perspectives, plans, and purposes as heaven becomes more visible on earth. He is our Father, it's not a transaction, it's personal.

The goal of prayer is that we get God, not that we get something from God. Communion with Him.

The person on the other side of the conversation has the power to speak the universe into existence. We think we need something from God, so that's why we pray, but before we even woke up today He was already providing everything we need that we didn't even know about.

2) Our posture is praise.

That's what "hallowed be Your Name" means: it's set apart. All rule, power, and Authority belong to Him. He is eternal and on His Throne.

3) To align His Plans.

"Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Earth is not going to turn into Heaven, that's why Heaven is Heaven. Earth will always be a broken planet, but we are going to a place of no more sorrow, tears, pain, or death. Yes, we want to see Earth look more like Heaven, but Earth will never be Heaven.

That main emphasis is that we want God's Will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. We want to align with whatever He wants to do. We've turned it into wanting God to get on our page, do what we want Him to do, and be available to us versus recognizing God is sitting on a Throne and we want to be available to Him.

The word for prayer that Jesus uses in this passage is proseuxomai. "Pros" means towards/exchange, and "euxomai" means to wish, or pray. Properly it means to exchange wishes and pray. Literally, it means to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith ("Divine Persuasion").

Jesus did this in the garden of Gethsemane. He used the same word. He exchanged what He wanted for what His Father wanted.

The strength of prayer is to align with what God is already doing.

John 5:19- Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing.

John 8:28- Jesus only spoke what He was taught by His Father to say.

Tension: If God already knows, why do we have to ask? Because He said to ask. Asking for a miracle yet confessing "Your will be done" isn't a cop-out, it's an opt-in. It's joining in the mystery of God. You believe that He is more than able to do the miracle, but you say yes to whatever He is doing or is going to do.

4) We can tell Him what we need.

Yes, He already knows, but Jesus permitted us to ask him for the minute and the massive. "Give us today our daily bread." It's a closely tethered communion.

He'll give you what you need for today, and He will be faithful again tomorrow. You don't get tomorrow's grace today. Just carry today. Don't ask for manna for 6 months. He already knows what you need, so there doesn't need to be a ton of explaining. Just tell Him what you need.

5) Clear the air.

"Forgive us our debts we have also forgiven our debtors." Admit that there are things in your life that are not holy because you're dealing with a holy God.

Ephesians 4 says to forgive as God has forgiven you in Christ. You have already been forgiven. You don't have to beg for it. Admit your sin and thank God for His forgiveness. Extend that to others. It's not so we can have a relationship, it's so we can have open and clear fellowship.

6) Love to be lead.

Let Him lead you throughout the day. "Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one." It's saying that I don't just want something from God, I want to be led by Him. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 teaches us that life is prayer. Pray continually.

7) Be grateful.

There is power in gratitude to ease anxiety in our minds and bodies. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in all circumstances. This will set you apart. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us that He who calls you is faithful and will do it. So go ahead and be grateful.

Things you can be grateful for:

God hears you. He knows you. You know Him. For breath, for Him being God, for being the Almighty, for being supernatural, for being the same and never changing, for being good, for grace, for seeking me, for mercy, for forgiveness, for saving me, for creating me, for teaching me, for leading me, for filling me, for freeing me, for being with me, for His plans, for fighting for me, for correcting me, for comfort, for strength, for His care, for not giving up on me, for providing for me, for blessing me, for including and inviting me, for using me, for covering me, for going before me, for coming behind me, for holding me tight, for calling me His own, for always being true, for giving me a role to play, for being patient with me, for moving in my life, for giving me wisdom, for His grace is enough.