Becoming Like Jesus: PrayerSample

The Creator of Everything

As we are learning to become people of prayer, we are letting Jesus be our guide and His prayer in Matthew 6 be our map. This prayer begins with adoration, deep love and respect, for our Heavenly Father.

For a lot of people, prayer is often thought of as a way to ask God to give us what we want. While those prayers are important and biblical, that’s not the place Jesus tells us to start. Instead, He tells us to start by recognizing and appreciating the goodness of our Creator. Because more than anything, prayer is a way for us to connect with God and strengthen our relationship with Him. It’s a relationship intended to be built on deep love and respect.

Pray…

God, I love you because you first loved me. I worship you because you deserve it. You are good and trustworthy. I want my entire life to be devoted to you. Help me to know you more and appreciate all that you’ve done for me. Thank you for creating the universe and thank you for creating me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 NLT

Consider…

God formed the entire universe as an act of love. By the power of His Spirit and through His spoken word, everything that is came into existence. Where there was darkness, God brought light. Where there was chaos, God brought order. Where there was emptiness, God brought fullness.

The good news? None of that was a one-time thing. God is still actively working to rescue us from sin, death, and darkness and bring us into a relationship with Him. Because God, the maker of everything, will stop at nothing, to bring us back to Him.

Have you ever thought about how wild it is that the same God who spoke the cosmos into existence was willing to die on a cross for you? What does that tell you about His character? Why do you think it is so special that the most powerful being in existence became a human being?

Practice…

Pray to God with adoration. Start with the words that Jesus taught us to pray. Think of all the ways God has been active in the world. From the bigness of creation to the smallness of everyday life. Let those things enhance your love and respect for your Creator.

As you do, imagine you are talking to God face-to-face. Because, at its most basic level, that’s really what prayer is: talking to God.

When you’re ready, pray to your Father using Jesus’ words, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9 NLT

Listen…

Create space to experience God’s presence by getting quiet, getting alone, and asking Him to speak. Start by setting a timer for five minutes.

Next, ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted, because you will get distracted, bring your focus back to God by repeating the first words of this prayer: “Our Father…”

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you got to spend with Him, then head into your day looking for opportunities to better serve Him and serve others.