Being Changed By The Power Of PrayerSample

The Foundations Of Prayer

The New City Catechism defines prayer as the pouring out of our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession, and thanksgiving, and the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) serves as a model for this.

First and foremost, we praise God simply because He deserves it.

“Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name.” 

Secondly, we praise God because it reminds us of who He is and who we are. To praise something, you must recognize its goodness. You have to see that there’s something praiseworthy about it. Praising God reminds us that he is God.  

This is the incredibly unique thing about being a Christian. Although God is holy and righteous while we are not, He still gives us access to Himself. 

In addition, He allows us to bring our needs before Him as petitions. We, as children of God, can bring our needs before Him and know that He will hear us. Look at the next part of the Lord’s prayer:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.”

Do you notice the two types of petition here? First, we are to ask for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Second, Christ tells us to ask for our specific needs in life: “Our daily bread.”

Next, Christ teaches us how to confess our sins:

“Forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”

Confession causes us to recognize God’s glory and our imperfections. It reminds us that we still fall short and that He keeps on forgiving. When we confess, we say “Lord, I recognize that I screwed up, that I did not live up to what you called me to be.” But the beauty of Christ is that even when we do screw up, He still loves us. 

Naturally, all these elements of prayer should lead to thanksgiving. Each one shows His goodness and His open arms that welcome us in. The only proper response to such wondrous grace and mercy is to say thank you.