August 22nd

AUGUST 22nd

Land on your knees. Heard that phrase the other day in a song. What truth! The world says, “Land on your feet!” But the right thing to do is to land on your knees. -In prayer that is. If you look throughout the gospels, Jesus went off by Himself to pray often. He taught us that we should pray but also gave us an example of how to pray.

Matthew 6:6-13 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Jesus makes a point that we don’t need to keep on babbling like the pagans because our prayers are not heard based on how long they are or what exact words we say. He then goes on to give an example which makes the point that it can be short and sweet and still cover everything. First it starts with praising God, focusing on Him and proclaiming His holiness (hallowed) then moves on to submitting to His will and asking for His kingdom to come, here on earth like it already is in heaven. Then he finally addresses our needs: provision (daily bread), forgiveness, and guidance and protection.

John 16:23-24, 26-27 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

In this passage, Jesus is making it clear that we are now to pray directly to the Father ourselves because He loves us.

So how does all of this apply to your situation?

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Whatever it is that has you flying end over end through the air right now, land on your knees!

Lord, thank you for teaching us to pray. Help prayer to be my first reaction, not my last resort. Holy Spirit show me how to pray for my situation and my day today, show me how to pray according to Your will. Help me to remember to praise you and thank you first before I make my prayers about my own needs. Thank you for your patience with me and teach me to pray in the Spirit.