Lord, teach us to pray as John taught His disciples.
ASSIGNMENT:
1. READ Matt 6:1-7 and 16-18 and summarize (in your notebook) what Jesus taught His disciples in these verses.
Notice that Jesus begins this discourse by saying: Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men to be seen of them. He proceeds with a discussion on the nature of giving, prayer, and fasting; we might call these, “acts of personal devotion.” Notice the way Jesus introduces each act: WHEN you give to the needy; WHEN you pray; WHEN you fast.
2. What is Jesus assuming here? He warns them of a common human tendency that could occur in any of the three activities. What is that?
3. READ Matt 6:9-13. What are the three petitions that relate directly to God? What are the three petitions that relate to man?
4. Pray the Lord’s Prayer as it is written (you may recite it from memory, or read it from the text). Now pray the prayer a second time, as you elaborate with your own personal petitions.
For example:
* Our Father - You may want to thank God for your relationship with Him (Father/daughter or son).
* Hallowed be Your name – you may want to spend time in praising Him and His name. (If you need help here, you can find beautiful words of praise in the Psalms)* Your kingdom come, Your will be done – you might express a yearning regarding joining Him in His heavenly kingdom. Or you may express your desire in becoming bolder in sharing the news of the kingdom with someone you love. You may wish to pray that you will grow in your understanding of how His will needs to find expression in your life here and now.
These are just a few examples to get you started. Continue practicing this way of praying each day. There are blessings in store – as you find ways to make this prayer more personal and still follow the pattern the Lord left us.
Lord, teach us to pray
