The Components of Prayer

“Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’” Matthew 6:9-13

Do you remember when you were asked to outline books or reports in school? The outline did not exhaust the topic or theme but merely thumbnailed the essential aspects. Jesus’ teaching on prayer before those gathered at His Sermon on the Mount should be viewed in the same light.

He could not, of course, plumb the depths of prayer in a few verses. He simply provided the audience with an outline of the basic components of prayer - worship, petition, confession, obedience. How these are applied to your life are the real dynamics of prayer. God wants you to pray because He wants to do something special in your life - to meet your needs, to teach you His ways, to correct your shortcomings, to reveal His character, to transform your thinking.

God launched you on a fantastic adventure when you were saved. Prayer is the frontier of personal experience where that adventure is continued. Prayerlessness is the seed whose fruit is barrenness, drudgery, and mediocrity. Your prayers regarding the specific circumstances of your life fill in the outline of the Lord’s Prayer.

“Take time to be holy, speak often with the Lord.” -William Longstaff