TALKING WITH YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER

Prayer isn’t performance or panic. It’s a relationship. Because of Jesus, we get to talk to God
like a child talks to his dad. The disciples watched Jesus pray and finally asked, “Lord, teach us
to pray” (Lu. 11:1). They heard Him teach on a variety of topics, but they wanted this skill
most. We treat prayer like a last resort, a duty or a wish list. So, we either feel guilty for not
doing it, or frustrated when God seems silent.

Prayer is access to the Father. Before Jesus, only the High Priest had access to God but
through Him, we all can approach the Father (Heb. 10:19–25). When we pray, we say
FATHER. That was radical. The Jews didn’t call God “Father.” A five-year old doesn’t need
perfect words to speak to his father, he just needs his attention. We have the Father’s
attention (1 Pet. 3:12).

Prayer is shaped by God’s kingdom, not just our needs. In the model prayer in Matthew 6,
you have six lines. The first three are God focused: Your name, Your kingdom and Your will.
The last three are us focused: bread, forgiveness and deliverance. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells
us to seek first the kingdom of God. God wants conversation, not the same old thing every
time I come before Him.

Prayer is persistent trust, not perfect technique. In Luke 11:5–13, Jesus tells the story about a
man banging on a friend’s door at midnight. Point: Ask, seek and knock. Then in verse 13,
Jesus says, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!”

There are three enemies to prayer:
Distraction: Set a time and place to pray.
Discouragement: God hears even weak faith.
Doubt: Ask in faith (Jas. 1:6).

Father, teach us to pray like Jesus did. Forgive us for treating you like a vending machine. Give
us hungry hearts for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ray Rose