Christians
speak to God in prayer with the assurance that He hears and answers them for
their good (Matt. 7:11; Heb. 4:15-16; James 5:16).
Pray counters anxiety; those distracting cares that would otherwise consume us
with doubt, dread, and despair. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Pray reinforces joy; the gratitude of thankful hearts for God’s provisions and
providence (Col. 4:2). It is easy to pray in times of crisis and need, and easy
to forget to thank God for the relief He gives. It is the faithful heart, like
the Samaritan leper, that returns to thank God for His blessings (Luke
17:11-19).
Christ’s disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, and He did (Luke 11:1).
Consider the focus on God in Christ’s model prayer in Luke 11:2-4. May our
prayers also possess a similar focus on our great God.
God’s Paternity: “Our Father in heaven.” He gives us life in the Son and
provisions to sustain our lives, both spiritually and physically. Ah, what
removal of anxiety; our Father cares for us and keeps us (John 10:28).
God’s Person: “Hallowed be Your name.” God is Sovereign; His name is
holy. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His
glory” (Isa. 6:3). Our prayers must acknowledge the holiness of God and give
Him the honor He is due.
God’s Program: “Your kingdom come.” The time for the kingdom of God to
be established was “at hand” and would be accomplished during the lives of
those who heard Jesus preach (Mark 1:14-15; 9:1). We have now received the
unshakeable kingdom of God (Heb. 12:28). What joyful thanksgiving this induces
in our prayers.
God’s Purpose: “Your will be done.” Man will not prevent God from
accomplishing His will on earth or in heaven. Our responsibility is to plan and
live our lives in harmony with God’s will (James 4:15). Anxiety flees as we
trust the will of God. Our prayers ought to reflect this trust.
God’s Provisions: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The joyful recognition
that our heavenly Father knows our needs and abundantly supplies them replaces
anxiety with a calm assurance that the righteous will not be forsaken; “all
things work together for good to those who love God” (Ps. 37:25; Rom. 8:28).
God’s Pardon: “And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone
indebted to us.” God’s great and merciful forgiveness replaces the distraction
of our sins with the joy of God’s salvation (Ps. 51:12). That our pardon is
sure is based on whether we forgive those who sin against us. “Forgive, and you
will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
God’s Protection: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us
from the evil one.” God gives us ways of escape when tempted to sin (1 Cor
10:13). Through faith, the devil can be successfully resisted (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet
5:8-9). Thank God that He is greater than our enemy (1 John 4:4).
Let us all pray without ceasing and replace anxiety with thankful joy (1 Thess.
5:17-18).
- The Spirit’s Sword, January 18, 2026