How could this prayer be a pattern, a model, and yet never be found practiced by the disciples? How could the Lord Jesus instruct His disciples to pray this prayer and yet we find no record of it having been done by the first disciples or later ones? Is this prayer a pattern if we never find it used as such? I think I now know the answer, but I shall delay sharing it with you until we look more carefully at the prayer itself.
Praying to Jesus is an important aspect of many Christians’ spiritual lives. It is a way to communicate with God and seek guidance, comfort, and forgiveness. Here are some tips on how to pray to Jesus effectively.
1. Find a Quiet Place
Praying in the flesh feels like an upward climb in which we are having to power up the hill. Praying in the Spirit reflects the reality of the downward slope. But the basic awareness of a downhill energy and momentum are present in all of the different degrees of a downward slope. If you lack the confidence to come to Him as your Father, then God has a way for you to become His child.
When you want to pray to Jesus, find a quiet place where you can be alone and free from distractions. This will allow you to focus your thoughts and feelings on your conversation with Him.
We are praying to our Father, which means that we are in a family relationship. We are part of His life, and He anticipates what we need. We can, therefore, come to Him as transparent people.
2. Start with Praise and Thanksgiving
When a decision was this critical, Jesus dug in for the long haul until he received clear direction from the Father. By exploring the prayer life of Christ, we can gain wisdom and insight on how to strengthen our relationship with God through prayer. Your prayers can be long or short, free form or using scripture or written prayers, individual or repetitive.
What’s on your mind matters to God, because you matter to Him. As you develop the habit of praying, you will gain a sense of what God is talking to you about and what He thinks is worth your attention. In the beginning, try not to get too hung up on what you should be praying about. God has all the time in the world, and He’s far more patient with us than we are with ourselves.
In the second place, if Jesus did not include the ending, there is questionable value in using it. It is a grand ending, but Jesus ended His model with a reminder of our humility. The prayer moves from the greatness and glory of God to our total dependence on Him. Praying in the Spirit means that the Spirit empowers the prayer and carries it to the Father in the name of Jesus. The prayer has a living quality characterized by warmth and freedom and a sense of exchange. We realize that we are in God’s presence speaking to God.
Begin your prayer by praising Jesus for who He is and thanking Him for all the blessings in your life. This sets a positive tone for your conversation and helps you to remember all the good things that He has done for you.
3. Confess Your Sins
It is important to be honest with Jesus about your shortcomings and ask for His forgiveness. Confessing your sins allows you to let go of guilt and shame and receive His mercy and grace.
4. Ask for Guidance
After confessing your sins, ask Jesus to guide you in making decisions and navigating challenges in your life. Trust that He will provide you with wisdom and direction as you seek His will.
5. End with Faith and Hope
Finish your prayer with faith and hope, believing that Jesus hears your prayers and will answer them according to His perfect plan. Trust that He is always with you, guiding and supporting you through every situation.
Remember that there is no right or wrong way to pray to Jesus. The most important thing is to approach Him with sincerity, humility, and a heartfelt desire to connect with Him. As you continue to pray to Jesus regularly, you will deepen your relationship with Him and experience His love and presence in your life.
