New Hope Church

Day 27 – Lenten Devotional

LENTEN DEVOTIONAL – DAY 27 – FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Jesus taught prayer (Part 1)

Luke 11:1  “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus surely guided His disciples on prayer by demonstrating His own prayer life in front of them.  In addition, Jesus also taught His disciples about prayer; how to pray to God, how NOT to pray to God, what to pray for, who to pray for, where to pray, and most importantly what the condition of your heart, mind and spirit should be…humble reverence.

One can certainly make the case that everything that Jesus taught, including the whole counsel of God contained in the entirety of Scripture, guides us in our communion in prayer with God.  While that is true, we will simply look at the gospel accounts of Jesus teaching specifically on prayer.  Jesus taught the following in the four gospels:

  1. Pray for Enemies, be Forgiving; Matthew 5:44; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:28
  2. Do NOT Pray Hypocritically or Babble On; Matthew 6:5, 7; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47
  3. BUT – Pray With a Humble Heart in Secret; Matthew 6:6, 16-18; Luke 18:10-14
  4. Disciple’s Prayer – Acknowledge Father in Heaven, revere His name, His kingdom and will be done everywhere, daily physical and spiritual sustenance, forgiveness and forgiving hearts, power to resist temptation; Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4
  5. Joy In Prayer Being With the Lord; Luke 5:33
  6. Pray for Little Children (Physical and Spiritual Children); Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13-16
  7. Persistent Prayer; Luke 18:1-8
  8. Revere God’s House of Prayer (the Body of Christ gathered-the Church); Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46; John 2:16-17
  9. Whatever You Ask in God’s Will – In Jesus Name; Matthew 6:31-34; 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9-10; John 14:13-14; 15:7; 15:16; 16:23-24
  10. Prayer for Demon Exorcism; Mark 9:29
  11. Pray for Safety in Tribulation; Matthew 24:20; Mark 13:18; Luke 21:36
  12. Pray for Strength Against Temptation; Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40; 22:46

When Jesus prays He demonstrates His Spiritual connection with His Father. His prayers are sincere, deep and willing. When He teaches prayer He encourages believers to enter this supernatural holy conversation with God starting with a humble, sincere and forgiving heart, one that truly desires to align God’s will with yours not yours with His!  True prayers of a humble heart do not seek the attention of others, but the attention of their heavenly Father in order to: grow in relationship with Him; understand His ways; remain in His will. Talk to God about all the variations of your life and listening to Him as He speaks to your soul.

REFLECT:  Meditate on what you are actually doing when you pray, a supernatural holy and intimate conversation with the Creator of the universe!  Study the Scripture references above and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to greater depth in your prayer life.
REPENT:  Change your ways. Do you claim to be a Christian but hardly ever talk to your Father?  Can you come to a deeper understanding of Holy time with God by learning from Jesus?  Confess your shortcomings in prayer and ask God for strength against temptation.
REPAIR/RESTORE:  God truly wants you to come close to Him in prayer.  He desires deep and holy time with you, not simply trite, short, text message type prayers.  That is not true communication and surely is not holy communication.  Grow deeper in your prayer life and your unity with Christ will bear fruit.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Blessings,
Pastor Tom Bellhy