Just Do It!

“Jesus's resurrection is the beginning of God's new project not to snatch people away from earth to heaven but to colonize earth with the life of heaven. That, after all, is what the Lord's Prayer is about.”

- NT Wright

Prayer can be beautiful, confusing, and sometimes seem impossible. There have been times I’ve prayed and felt the nearness of God so strongly that tingling chills ran up and down my spine. Other times I think my prayers stop at the ceiling because I feel so unworthy of God’s grace.

When I’ve needed God most through the overwhelming pain in my heart, I haven’t even known how or where to begin to pray.

There is no ‘perfect’ formula to prayer. There will be times it’s excruciatingly difficult (this is when the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf - Romans 8:26) and others when you feel God’s presence tangibly in the room. There is no protocol for how to sit or stand. The most important thing to remember about prayer as Pastor Jared talked about this weekend: if we are in relationship with Jesus, prayer is a “functional movement” of exercising our faith. As we pray to God the Father in Jesus’ name, we are praying as adopted sons and daughters.

When I meet with someone struggling to know how to pray, I encourage them to just start talking to God as if He is sitting right there across the room. Relax. Be honest. Just start talking! If we don’t use our prayer muscles, they will atrophy!

I’ve used different prayer strategies (ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication, as well as others), but at this stage of my life, I’ve settled on praying the way Jesus taught us. I’m not talking about “reciting” the Lord’s prayer, but stopping after each phrase and having a conversation with my Father.

(Matthew 6:9-13) “Our Father who art in heaven, Holy is Your name!”

(Ex) Holy God, Father, Abba, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Creator,

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

(Ex) You designed the world perfectly and we’ve messed it up. I’m confused by everything that is going on. Help me, God, to see glimpses of you and show me today how I can bring a little heaven to earth.

(Ex) Please heal _______ from the heart disease that rages in their body.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

(Ex) Thank you for your provision, I don’t take it for granted. Help me to use what you have given me well.

“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

(Ex) God, forgive me for the unkind words I said….

In Jesus’ Name  (Ex) Thanks Dad, Pappa (whatever connects you to God the Father).

I present my requests, give thanks for so many blessings, and recognize that the God of Creation is also my Father. There is no formality to it. AND THEN, before I close, I sit in the silence and listen. LISTEN for the Holy Spirit to speak. That’s it!

If that doesn’t connect for you, The Message version might work better!

(Matthew 6:9-13) “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best— as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.

You’re in charge!

You can do anything you want!

You’re ablaze in beauty!

No matter how you pray, like the Nike slogan says, “Just do it!” I promise that as you exercise your prayer muscle, you’ll deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father!

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

- Martin Luther

Pastor Pam

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