When Jesus Prayed
Nonetheless, as I did this strategy, I realized that most people prefer to take the shortcut. Think about it, who wants to go the trial and error route? Just give me the answer is a prevalent mindset of today’s society. Matter of fact, it is more like tell me where is the answer. I do not want to search for it. This mindset is what drives many and feeds impatience which causes many to miss vital character building lessons that only come from the process. This perspective does not mean the “how-to” approach or “3-7 step strategy” is a no go and is not helpful. However, it conditions us to bypass significant aspects of the process. One thing we must also recognize is even though the how-to strategy gives you the answer; there is still a process to get from step one to step two. With that said, here starts our new series of 2018 on prayer. I think, in our present world, this is a great place to start the year. One of the most valuable lessons I learned about prayer, as I stated sometime ago on a Facebook post, the only way to learn to pray is to pray.
Christ our greatest example prayed. He is the Son of God (Mark 1:1) … God in the flesh (Philippians 2:6-7; John 1:1; 5:18; 10:33), who now sits at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 12:2). His prayer, position, and mindset are a great example for us today. The Our Father’s Prayer was taught and demonstrated by Christ in His physical life ministry. Christ taught His disciples what it really means to pray. But before He prayed the Our Father’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Christ made some important stipulations:
1. Prayer is not to impress anyone or glorify oneself (Matthew 6:5; 10)
2. Prayer is not chanting (Matthew 6:7; I Kings 18:25-29)
3. Prayer is intimate between you and God the Father, who resides in heaven. (Matthew 6:6)
After Christ gave these instructions, He begins to pray. Christ begins by specifically identifying that it is God, who sits on His throne in the third heaven to whom He prayed and worshipped: “Our Father which art in heaven (identified)… Hallowed (worship) be thy name” Matthew 6:9. It is not strange that Christ would be so specific in His declaration of God. He did not leave it to the imagination. During Jesus' time on earth all the way back to the Garden of Eden, and even as far back before the Garden in heaven when Lucifer lifted himself in pride with the desire to be as God (Isaiah 14:12-17) began a war. This war is the same today as it was then. It is a war to be as God. Satan is always looking for any chance to birth the seed of idolatry in the hearts of men (Ephesians 2:2, AMP). He will do anything necessary just so men will not recognize the true God. So Christ was sure to show His disciples, real prayer is to the Father in Heaven. As The Our Father's prayer unfolds we see more and more the heart position that God looks for…
This heart position is seen when Christ says, first and foremost “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Christ taught His disciples the major principle that set them apart from the world; their prayers were directed specifically to the God of heaven, the Creator, and the Originator. Secondly, submission to God was key. Christ prayed that God’s will be done. Why? It showed the disciples what it meant to come before God as a servant. One who seeks God's desire before their own. God's desire is actually what is best for us. We tend to plan our lives as if our plans somehow are better than God's. It is our nature to pray what we want. However, by continual submission to God we learn to pray the right prayer. We make the mistake of believing because we are Christians and God is on our side that means we can pray what we want and we will get what we want because we have faith. Here is where many lose faith because their faith was disappointed. Yes, their faith; not God’s faith (Hebrews 12:2). Faith is not just saying I want this and believing you will get it. That is nothing more than the law of attraction. It is not how Christ demonstrated how we should pray. He first identified God as Father, which shows personal relationship, then He worshipped, and most importantly He declared, “Thy Kingdom Come. Thy will be done ...."
Unfortunately many look for the easiest way out. But what I found out is you actually get to the answer by not having an answer. What do I mean? When you do not have the answer, what do you immediately start to do? Seek for one… You start to look wherever you can find the answer. There is an instant search that begins to take place. But God wants us to direct that seek/search specifically to Him, not on anyone or anything else. In these kinds of journeys is where substance and character is built. You become more sober and firm in your walk with Christ. This is why I believe God makes us wait in prayer. He is either trying to put something in us or take something out of us. Here is where we find out maybe we aren’t as sincere as we believe. Or maybe it is not God who we really want; it is what this prosperity Gospel says you should have. Or maybe you find out you are not as committed to Christ as you say. Waiting brings out who you really are.
Let us pray, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven...
Until next time
Let's BE Converts