Jesus taught you how to pray, so be alert and ready!

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Col. 4:2 NIV)

My mind went blank! 

Many years ago, when I was a fairly new follower of Christ, someone invited me to the front of a meeting and asked me to pray. I had never done that before! My mind suddenly went blank. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity and couldn't think what to say. I eventually mumbled a very short something or other and quickly returned to my seat.

It’s okay to ask for help

When we wonder about prayer, it should be reassuring to know that even a disciple of Jesus asked Him for instructions about how to pray.

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples'". (Luke 11:1 NIV)

Jesus taught about prayer

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don't be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 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.” (Matt. 6:5-13 NLT)

What others have said about prayer

“Prayer is simply talking to God like a friend and should be the easiest thing we do each day." - Joyce Meyer

“Prayer is not a hard requirement – it is the natural duty of a creature to its creator, the simplest homage that human need can pay to divine liberality.” – Charles Spurgeon

“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing." - Martin Luther