"In this manner, therefore, pray... " (Matthew 6:9)
One of the best ways to describe Christianity has always been to say it is not a religion but a relationship. And nowhere is that more evident than in the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray.
The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 needs to be read in its context to understand what Jesus was saying to His disciples and to all of us then and now. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws attention to the formal religion of the Jews which had ceased to be a close and personal relationship with God. The way they prayed was an excellent example of their lost of intimacy with God. Just before teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus called their religious leaders hypocrites for praying lengthy prayers in public to impress others. In contrast, Jesus told the disciples to pray to their Father in private using the words of the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father in heaven" - a prayer that offers the simple language of an intimate relationship.
What was good for disciples then is good for disciples today. You can pray in the words of the Lord's Prayer or simply follow its clear and simple themes. Jesus' model prayer is a way to keep your relationship with God on a Father-to-child basis.
When you pray, say, "Our Father...." remembering that scripture tells us we ought to always be in prayer (I Thess. 5:17), open communication with the Father talking to Him and then listening above all! Simply share your life and living with Him. Include Him in your conversations. "What do You think, Pappa?"
One of the best ways to describe Christianity has always been to say it is not a religion but a relationship. And nowhere is that more evident than in the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray.
The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 needs to be read in its context to understand what Jesus was saying to His disciples and to all of us then and now. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws attention to the formal religion of the Jews which had ceased to be a close and personal relationship with God. The way they prayed was an excellent example of their lost of intimacy with God. Just before teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus called their religious leaders hypocrites for praying lengthy prayers in public to impress others. In contrast, Jesus told the disciples to pray to their Father in private using the words of the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father in heaven" - a prayer that offers the simple language of an intimate relationship.
What was good for disciples then is good for disciples today. You can pray in the words of the Lord's Prayer or simply follow its clear and simple themes. Jesus' model prayer is a way to keep your relationship with God on a Father-to-child basis.
When you pray, say, "Our Father...." remembering that scripture tells us we ought to always be in prayer (I Thess. 5:17), open communication with the Father talking to Him and then listening above all! Simply share your life and living with Him. Include Him in your conversations. "What do You think, Pappa?"
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