Check out Luke 11:1-4
First thought regarding prayer that matters: Prayer that matters has the right concept of God.
Second thought regarding prayer that matters: Prayer that matters remembers we are citizens of a Kingdom.
Third thought regarding prayer that matters: Prayer that matters is present tense.
To be disciples we must share the prayer of Jesus and make prayer a lifestyle.
Fourth thought regarding prayer that matters: Prayer that matters happens in the context of forgiveness.
“When you pray, say… and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4).
We live in Adam’s world, a world where broken people crash into broken people like billiards on a pool table. You don’t need me to tell you how much that hurts. Thoughtless words. Selfish intentions. Betrayed trust. Each one is like a bullet lodged in us, and the only thing more painful than it being there is pulling it out. And God says it must come out.
I’ve heard it said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to keel over and die. As human beings we have a nasty habit of holding on to our grievances thinking that’s justice against the person who hurt us. And it slowly kills us instead.
But we are made in the image our Father. Being remade into His image again means letting go in the same way He lets go of our every offense against Him. Three of the most powerful words in the English language: I forgive you.
To be disciples we must share the prayer of Jesus and make prayer a lifestyle.
Fifth thought regarding prayer that matters: Prayer that matters is led by King Jesus, not by temptation.
“When you pray, say… And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:4b).
Now that spring is beginning to tease us, the sidewalk along my house is filling with walkers, joggers, and dog-walkers. It’s the dog-walkers that mystify me. People led on a leash by their animal, cleaning up after it whenever nature calls. Who’s the master, and who’s the pet? Such a bizarre thing to me.
But this can happen in prayer, too. What’s leading you on a leash? Anxiety about the future? Fear that you might screw up again? Pride masking as gratitude?
Instead, may your prayer be led by Jesus Himself. Not like a dog on a leash, but more like the curious invitation of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, calling you to adventure. Or in the words of C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle, “further up and further in!”
Question: How have you seen forgiveness and temptation at work in your prayers this week?
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