The_Message

First, Jesus prayed that our Father's name be known. The name of the Father is Yahweh.You may hear debates about the correct term being Jehovah or Elohim – however the use of these terms were to substitute the mentioning or speaking God’s name aloud during a time when those who worshiped God considered themselves too unworthy to speak the name given to Moses – Yahweh, translated simply as “I AM.”

He also noted other things that are proper such as God's kingdom would come, and that God's will be done. This should not be misunderstood as something you should consider to be fruitless. Most have debated that if we pray for God’s will to be done, and God knows everything that will happen; and is in command of all that will happen – then He already knows what we will pray for. Shouldn’t He just give us our needs instead of having we ask for them through prayer? The statements, “. . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” and “. . . Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” are what usually fuels this very debate. Well, that would negate having a conversation with God.

Take comfort knowing that God’s will is related to the end or the goal, and not always the means or His plan. Often when I hear someone say, “It’s God’s plan,” it is usually employed to answer questions that are mostly unexplainable by us in this natural world. Those are the times I would rather hear folks just say, “I don’t know,” or “I don’t have an answer for you right now.”

God’s plan or “means” is not a set process – however his goal or “end” for us is. Have you ever heard the phrase, “The means justify the end?” I think in all matters of heaven and earth only God can employ that motto successfully. A plan employed to achieve a goal can change numerous times and never change the goal or outcome. A different way to look at it would be changing the means to arrive at the intended goal. God is perfect and able to change the means, asked by our prayers – and not adjust his will in the “end,” since the end fulfills all of His promises to us.

However, it’s also debated that we have no way of knowing whether or not God will answer our prayers. Christ simply stated, “Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

End every prayer with this closing, “We/I ask this in His name, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.” From there – it’s your faith in the belief of that promise, in Christ and God that equals the measure of the response.

We should also pray for forgiveness of our sins. Most important here is that we are asking for forgiveness as we forgive others and ourselves. The statement, “. . . For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sin,” can explain why God would not bestow a blessing on us that we are not ready to extend to others.

We can pray that we are not tempted and subsequently ruled by the devil. In the statement, “. . . And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” we affirm that we are not strong or powerful enough to combat the enemy without God’s direct intervention. We can also pray that our needs such as food and clothing, etc., will be taken care of, simply stated by, “. . . give us this day our daily bread.”

How does this breakdown address the mechanics and purpose for prayer? The mechanics and purpose are related and they are:

1: Approach God in prayer with a pure heart:

I know, that seems impossible. Rest assured that God knows our imperfections; however with all of our faults we can still have a pure heart when speaking to Him. For example, do you know someone that is always negative, complaining and usually has something bad to say about someone else . . . all the time? Have you ever found yourself, trying to be polite in letting them speak – but also letting what they are saying go in one ear and right out the other ear? Many of us do. We have no ill will against such folks – however what they have to offer in their conversation tends to hold no merit at all – so we just let them speak.

Now – turn it around. Has the natural world presented challenges and difficulties for you that make you bitter, angry, jealous and frustrated? God loves us and cares about our world; however approaching God this way reaches the same end. He just lets us speak – letting what we say go in one ear and out the other ear. The challenges come at us with God protecting us through it all. That’s a promise He has made. Your trust in that promise can help you rise above the bitterness, anger, jealousy and frustration. Despite our faults we can achieve a pure heart when praying to God.

2: Pray for the right thing:

Again – how can we know this? Two very important aspects of prayer are found in these statements from Christ. “. . . for your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” and “. . . give us this day our daily bread.” Before any specific prayer – recite the Lord’s Prayer in entirety. Doing this you are praying for yourself.

Speak to God but pray for “OTHERS.” Yup – that’s right. A conversation should be had between you and God. Your prayers should be for the benefit of others. In the Lord’s Prayer you’ve already asked for all you really need.

Here’s an example of praying for others:

There is no need to be specific about your requests for others, whether it’s regarding addictions, money, and health or family problems. God already knows the problems - - “we don’t.” Addictions, money, health or family issues are “not” the problems – but the result of the problems that cause them. Pray for God to rid the problems that cause the results we see in people’s lives. Pray for the people around those you pray for as well, so they are not part of the problem – and pray for their faith to be strengthened.

3: Now – talk to God.

Thank Him for listening. Thank Him for everything!! Finally – ask Him to give you evidence of His answer so you may witness and give God credit for the blessing, asking it all to be done in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. You’ll find that the prayer being answered as you requested is evidence enough.

I hope that in my message for this month I have helped you achieve at a better understanding of why prayer is important, and warranted. I hope I’ve helped you to understand that talking to God can be prayer or praise. Praying to God is one of your works that shows a spiritual fellowship to others. What I bring to you here is merely my advice. It comes from my personal experiences. From those experiences I can say that God has answered every prayer I have given up to Him and given me evidence to all of His responses. I would like to end with this school of though. Coincidence is when God answers the prayers of those who’ve prayed for you.

As Always, May God Agree.