Christian

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

Cindy Dawson

[Friends, Because I have been out of state for the last month, helping my dad with medical issues, I have had to repost several times. Today, as I searched for the right post, I was reminded how we often put pressure on ourselves to “pray right” as if answers depended on how good we pray. But, God reminds me that He knows our heart and what we need, regardless of how we might stumble along. I pray that you will be encouraged and know that God is working whether you see it or not.]

Two and a half  years ago, I had no idea I was going to write a blog. I had no idea my daughter would lead worship in my church. I had no idea God was getting ready to change my life and hers.

But God’s plan was working all along, even though I was completely unaware of what He was doing! He already knew these things would happen. 

That’s what faith is: being sure of things unseen. (I’m sure He is working, I just can’t see it now. )

I have frequently prayed and asked God to do many things, but I haven’t always seen the answers I hoped for when I hoped for. In frustration, I asked Jesus to teach me to pray.

I learned I was right to ask Jesus to teach me how to pray. He has already taught me something new! Jesus said,

“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…” Matthew 6:9-10 NIV

What does that have to do with effectual prayer? Everything! Because, I don’t need to go to God with a list of things for Him to do. What do the words mean “hallowed be your name”? Hallowed means: honored as holy, blessed, greatly revered, respected, honored and worshiped.

Let’s think about that for a minute. When we go to the Father in prayer, let us worship Him. Let us adore Him and recognize the character of our God. Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise.

Then Jesus said,

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” 

God has shown me that the key to effectual prayer is not about me. It’s not about my ability to pray. It’s about Him! I’ve been too focused on myself instead of on Him!  

Let Jesus teach us to pray. Let us worship the Father. Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving and praise. Then, let us pray for His will to be done in our life, in our church, in our city, and all over the world. He has a plan that is better than all we can ask or imagine! 

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

The words of the hymn are true, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” But, let us have a new and deeper revelation of His greatness and love. Let us revere and love Him as we should. We can find words to praise Him throughout the Psalms! Here are just a few key verses:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory above the heavens…. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him… that you care for him?” Psalm 8:1-4 NIV

“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise….” Psalm 18:1-3a NIV

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.” Psalm 25:1-2a NIV

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep…. How priceless is your unfailing love!” Psalm 36:5-7 NIV

With Love, 

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This Is My Journey Unscripted.

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26 thoughts on “Lord, Teach Me to Pray”

  3. Beautiful post Cindy. I just love the word “hallowed” because it sets the tone. Just wanted you to know that I always look forward to your posts and your faith encourages me. You are so right about how little we know and what God is doing. I keep reminding myself that all I need to do is focus on staying close to our Shepherd and He will take care of the rest. Much grace and blessings to you and yours as always. – Bruce

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      1. Cindy, on revisiting this post, it occurred to me that although we’re to focus on God’s will, not our own, we (I 🙄) don’t want to use that as an excuse for laziness in our prayers. If we pray something vague like “Your will be done, for all of us, everywhere,” how will we know when that prayer is answered? Jesus did ask people what they wanted Him to do for them if they didn’t tell Him. As with so many things, there are paradoxes in our faith (what the skeptics call “contradictions”). Yes, God will always know more than we do, but we can know more than we do, by studying His Word. I love to pray Scripture over specific people and circumstances. Then: specific prayer + specific answer = a good testimony. 😉 In writing my book “BARRIERS (So, if prayers are so powerful how come mine don’t get answered?)” I found numerous scriptures telling us how NOT to pray. These scriptures have helped me a oid these blunders. I can pray “Thy will be done” and at the same time still be specific with my requests. Just a little food for thought. Bon appetit, and have a great week. ❤️

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        2. Something interesting just happened. After I read the above comment and answered you, I continued with my morning blog routine. Someone commented on Philippians 4:12-13. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Then, I turned to the introduction to Philippians in my Bible. This is what I read: “You can pray specific, detailed prayers for them, and let them know what you have prayed.”
          I think the Lord is showing me something. This could end up being my next Saturday post! Thanks again, Annie, for taking the time to share your thoughts.

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  8. Cindy this is a precious post my sister, we can never have enough posts about prayer in all its parts. May God bless you as you seek Him, may He continue to bless your writing, Amen.

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