Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15New King James Version (NKJV)

The Model Prayer

So you want to pray, but you don’t know where to start?  First off, just talk, out loud to the creator.  He knows your heart, but he wants to hear you speak. Talk to him, tell him your struggles, ask him to give you wisdom and guidance.  Admit that you are weak, or scared, or whatever it is that is troubling your heart.  He will listen and he will fill your heart with peace.  Still not sure how to get started.  No problem. Start with what Jesus said.  He modeled the perfect prayer for us in Matthew, chapter 6.

⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.^{[a] 7} And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

You can simply read or repeat verses 9 through 13, shown in red above.

Or if you want to make your prayer life more personal, you can use verses 9 through 13 as a model.  Notice that the beginning starts with a reverence for who God is and how magnificent he is. That is followed by a statement that his will be done.  In all things and above all things, beyond what I want, the will of God is paramount for me. I mean, He knows best, so while I pray for what I *think* I want, what I really want is for God to show me and give me what HE wants for me.  Then we can pray for our needs.  This is our daily bread, and our jobs, our family, our relationships.  After that we pray for those that have wronged us and for our own sins.  We may already be followers of Christ, but we are still human.  We make mistakes and sin greives God.  Our geniune repentence is something that shows God how we are serious about him. That flows perfectly into asking God for strength and guidance, for protection from Satan for us, for our families, and for believers around the world.  Ending a prayer we can focus again on who God is and how his will superceeds all that we ask for, and then finishing with “Amen”, which means “so be it”.

Advanced Prayer

Sometimes life is knocking you down, you’re in the middle of a trial or struggle and you’re praying. You’re praying a lot! But you just aren’t getting answers. Nothing is changing. And worst of all, you don’t have peace. This happened to me recently and while I was struggling trying to pray my way through an issue, I found out that I could have been praying more effecitvely.  Actually I was praying with the wrong perspective. I was in spiritual warfare! I was praying for a fix to my physical situation when what I needed to pray for was for the spiritual battle.

The video series below is a 6 part message by Dr Tony Evans “Spiritual warfare” and how to fight with God on your side. This is a must watch for Christians because Jesus has given us his word on how to overcome the evil one from destroying our lives.

CLICK BELOW TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE VIDEO SERIES MENTIONED ABOVE

 

 

 

 

7 Powerful Prayers For Spiritual Warfare

by DEREK HILL from  www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

Put on the full armor of God!  Stand against the devil!  We are not fighting men, but evil forces of a dark age!” (Brutal Warfare, Mortification)  The devil wants nothing more than for you to be deceived and live a life for your own pleasure.  He spews out lies saying, “What’s a little harmless sex?  Go ahead and steal that candy bar, no one is looking.  You can lie to help get promoted, it’s completely ok.”  My friends, Satan is evil and his hell is coming in the lake of fire!  But until then, we have a fight on our hands!

His End Is Near

Father,

I am excited for the day of Satan’s end!  Lord, come swiftly and deliver us from his wicked schemes for good!  Give me strength today, Father, to stay strong in the face of adversity.  May all of my thoughts and actions reflect You today.  I want nothing to do with Satan!  Bind him from me!  I love You, Lord!  Amen

“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever!” (Revelation 20:10)

This Is Tough

Oh Lord,

I know my weaknesses and so do the demons.  Father, I am struggling big-time right now with pornography and I need You to carry me today.  Please, Lord, stop all thoughts of sexual promiscuity from plaguing me.  Please don’t allow Satan to tempt me in this today.  I need Your strength!  I need Your hands of might!  There is a battle for my heart and soul in this area and I want You to be the victor in my heart!  I love You, Lord!  Amen

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)

The War Is Won

All Powerful God,

I extol You in praise!  I thank You for Your mighty arms of strength!  I bless Your Name!  I will proclaim to the masses that the war is over!  You have won!  You have defeated Satan with the cross!  Hallelujah!  His weak, pathetic existence will end in the lake of fire and I cannot wait until the end!  Until that time I pray that you will give me strength to endure the trials and hardships ahead.  Prepare my heart and soul for war today!  I love You, Abba!  Amen

“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle!” (Psalm 144:1)

The Armor Of God

O Lord,

Every day is an unseen fight in the heart and soul of mankind.  I pray that today You will be pleased with my actions.  I will put on the belt of truth and not deceive those around me.  I will put on the breastplate of righteousness and treat all I see with fairness and integrity.  I will keep my shoes laced tight to deliver the good news, hoping that some will come to know You.  I will keep the shield of faith before me to extinguish the temptations that come my way.  I will wear the helmet of salvation and live joyfully knowing that I am not home yet!  I will have the sword of the Spirit ready at all times to deliver deadly blows to those that will listen to Your Word and truth, that they may come to realize how much they need You!  Father, I praise You and thank You for Your compassion on me!  I love You!  Amen

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12

Forgive Me

Gracious Father,

Please forgive me for the iniquities that come from me heart.  Lord, sin has its pleasures, but the pain after is far worse!  Lord, I am sorry for allowing the temptations thrown at me to overtake me today.  I have sinned against You and I am so sorry!  I cannot understand the depth of Your love!  You knew from the beginning that I would sin so much against You and yet You paid my price in advance.  I am nothing.  I am the worst of sinners.  And yet, I am more than a conqueror through the cross!  Lord, I have failed You today but I will walk forward with my head high knowing that this was only a battle.  You have already won the war over my spirit and soul and I am Yours forever!  I love You so much, Father!  Thank you for the cross!  Amen

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!” (Romans 8:37)

You Are Stronger

Dear Lord,

I know today has its trials and tribulations to throw at me, but You are stronger!  The devil comes to devour and You already have the trap and snare ready!  The devil comes to destroy, but his efforts are wasted.  I have given my life to You!  Jesus has saved me through the cross!  There is nothing that can separate me from You, Lord!  I thank You for Your faithfulness, Lord!  Father, remind me today that You have got this under control!  I love You!  Amen

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

The Lost

O Lord,

My heart is grieving for those I love that are lost!  Their souls are in the hands of the enemy and they don’t know it!  What can I do?  Father, please use me to shine the light of truth to them!  Lord, I wish they could see what I see, to know what I know!  Give me the words to speak to them!  Lord, the pain that they will face if they die today is gut wrenching to me!  Father, give me peace of mind to withstand this chaos and be Your servant to the lost.  I love You!  Amen

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)

 

Conclusion

Friends, there is an ongoing war daily for the souls of men.  Have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior?  He is the only way to be victorious!  I pray that God will give you strength daily as you face the trials and tribulations of this world.  May God bless you as you continue to live a life worthy of the calling!

Related reading: The Sword of the Spirit: 5 Spiritual Warfare Tips

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/7-powerful-prayers-for-spiritual-warfare/#ixzz4mpVGNw3m