Power-Packed Prayer Sample

Prayer really works 

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus first told them what they should pray for. In the Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Disciples’ Prayer, He gave them (and us) a line-by-line recipe for effective, mountain-moving prayer (see Luke 11). The disciples concluded that the source of Jesus’ power over sin, death, and the devil rested in prayer. 

That’s why they wanted to learn how to pray. They saw firsthand that prayer really works. 

Just as the disciples did, you can cry out, “Lord, teach me to pray.” You can learn simple ways to pray in order to see God move mountains in your life. And it starts with finding a secret place where you can be alone with God (Matthew 6:6). 

This place of prayer is a solitary, fixed spot. It can be anywhere. But it must be a place where you can engage the Teacher and experience the Father’s grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, and power. It is where His sovereign strength becomes alive for you each day. It is where your faith grows more and more confident that God is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). 

Jesus instructed His disciples to pray by saying, “Our Father….” These two words are key to understanding all prayer. Jesus called his Father Daddy/Abba in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His death (Mark 14:32-42). Abba was the most intimate expression a child could give his father in that day. It expressed the father’s deep and abiding love, tenderness, and care for his sons and daughters. It does for Jesus’ followers as well. 

As Jesus is God’s Son, so too are we Daddy’s sons and daughters. Therefore, this is a great place to begin using 3-word prayers. Pray in this way as you remember the opening line of the Disciples’ Prayer: 

Daddy loves me… Daddy adores me… Father oversees me… He is here… Love conquers all… Daddy really cares… He holds me… Daddy draws near… I’m not forsaken… Or an orphan… I’m Daddy’s child… I’m dearly loved… Daddy is present… In his arms… On his shoulders… Daddy carries me… I’m never forgotten… My name known… Daddy desires me… Daddy seeks me… Father embraces me… Daddy values me… I am priceless… Father adopted me… I’m an heir…. 

Make your own list. Repeat your 3-word prayers over and over. When doubts arise, confront them with your 3-word prayers. Memorize them. When the forces of darkness bring fear or anxiety, use your 3-word prayers. Repeat the width, breadth, height, and depth of Daddy’s love for you. And watch prayer work and fears flee because “perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18 NLT).

• Jesus knew His Father as Daddy, so it was natural for Him to cry out to God in prayer. Does it feel natural to you? Why or why not?  
• If we were raised by an earthly father, he was imperfect. As you read the entire Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11, what does it tell you about your heavenly Father that makes you want to talk with Him and trust Him?  
• Think of the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven” (Luke 11:2 NKJV). Knowing that this means He is in control of everything, what are some 3-word prayers about His sovereignty? (For example: I trust you… I’ve no worry.) 
• Look at today’s headlines or think of the most potentially fear-producing situation in your life right now. Write five 3-word prayers and pray them from your heart. Did your fear flee?  

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