Prayer is fundamental to our intimacy and relationship with God, but it is not difficult to hear someone say that they are ashamed to pray in public or that they do not know how to pray, perhaps you will try it yourself. Fortunately, we find passages in the Bible where our Master instructs us on how to pray. So, check out 5 teachings of Jesus Christ on prayer!
1. Reserve a place and time to pray
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:5-6
It is very important that we have a time of intimacy with our Father, where in secret we try to hear His voice. In addition to creating a place not to appear or “make it beautiful” just for the satisfaction of our own ego, when we enter our room or an environment we set aside to pray, we can focus on what the Lord has to say for us and then prayer becomes a conversation rather than a monologue.
2. There’s not much to talk about … avoid vain repetitions
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matthew 6: 7,8
The Lord knows you, knows your needs, and as it is written above, it is not much talk that we will be heard. Of course, we must present our afflictions, anguishes and requests to God, but we must do it consciously, when falling into vain repetitions, prayer becomes automatic and we stop reflecting on what we have said.
3. Don’t grumble, pray!
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
John 6:11
In that passage, Jesus preached to a large crowd and after a while people started to feel hungry, however, there was almost nothing to feed that crowd – just a little bread and fish. Even though the situation was not favorable, Jesus prayed and thanked. He had faith because he knew of His Father’s faithfulness and sovereignty, it shouldn’t be any different with us, we should pray instead of murmuring.
4. Be bold
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24
Be bold when praying and believe that if it is the Lord’s will, he will! In addition, we need to get out of our comfort zone when praying, it can be difficult to ask for brokenness or be used by God, as this will change our lives, but we need to get rid of the convenience if we really want to be servants and tools for the work of Father.
5. Pray before making decisions
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles
Luke 6: 12-13
Before making any decision, place it before the Lord in prayer! Jesus in his time on earth always consulted God to make decisions and we must do the same, because our Father is wise and knows what is best for us, be sure to consult the Most High, whether for small or big things!
Concluding …
Finally, I would like to end this blog post with the prayer taught by Jesus:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6: 9-13
God bless you!
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