Becoming Like Jesus: PrayerSample

Our Daily Bread

Today, we are going to start learning how to pray prayers of petition. What is a petition? A petition is a request made to someone in a position of authority for help with a particular cause. In simpler words, when we petition God, we are asking Him to give us what we need.

God is the ultimate authority. He is in charge of the whole world. He wants to give us, His kids, good things.

Question: if God is so big and awesome and powerful, then doesn’t He know what we’re going to ask for before we ask it? If that’s the case, then why do we even have to ask?

Because, like we’ve been learning throughout this plan, prayer isn’t about getting God to give us what we want. Prayer is about getting close to God and growing in our relationship with Him.

God doesn’t want to be the delivery guy dropping off the package you ordered online at your door and then disappearing without a word. He is your Father. He wants to know you and He wants you to know Him. So, when we petition God, we remember that the most important thing isn’t getting what we are asking for, but knowing who we are asking.

Pray…

Our Father, thank you for being the kind of dad who wants to be close to us. I want to know you better. To feel your love and experience your grace. Make me more of who you want me to be. When I bring my requests to you, remind me that the most important thing is growing in my relationship to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

Consider…

Last week, we looked at the portion of the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus taught us to pray for God’s Kingdom and will to come on earth as it is in heaven. This week, we are asking God to give us the food we need. We went from heaven breaking in to asking for lunch. Why? Because all of it matters to God. He cares about the issues that are cosmic in scope, and the things that are personal to us. And we get to come to Him with our requests.

Do you really believe God cares about the big things? Why or why not? Do you really believe God cares about the little things? Why or why not?

What are some of the little things that you can present to God today?

Practice…

Pray to God by asking Him for what you need. He’s your Father and He wants to meet you in your time of need. Whether it’s a big thing or a little thing, bring it to Him with confidence knowing that He cares for you.

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, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy… give us today the food we need…” Matthew 6:9,11 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 in heaven…”

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.