Prayer Connects Us To God’s Will For Our Lives
The Season of Lent reminds us of the praying example of Jesus in his living and dying. Jesus showed us our need to be His people of prayer. Jesus repeatedly prayed, strengthening his oneness with the will of God, His Father. He prayed and accepted His Father’s will even when it meant his sacrificial death for sinners on the cross.
Jesus taught about praying with these words:
Matthew 6:5-8 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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.”
Prayer has been described as inviting God into our circumstances, into our hopes, into our fears, into our dreams, and into our pain. Prayer is not working our way through a grocery list of requests that we desire God to perform or answer the way we expect. Instead, prayer allows us to live relationally with God. Relationally means talking to God, listening to God, and thinking about God throughout our day. Prayer is speaking to God in words and thoughts. We can pray anywhere with simple “Please prayers,” “Thank you prayers,” and “Sorry prayers.”
When we pray, remember that it is crucial to think of the character of God. For we know God is love and that He wants the best for us. In his wisdom, God knows what is best for us and gives it to us in his almighty power. Therefore, in Jesus’ name, we should pray regularly and frequently. But unfortunately, we may only pray when we are in trouble.
When the time for Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion drew near, He prayed. But sadly, his disciples failed to stay awake as Jesus prayed about His imminent death.
Matthew 26:36-41: “Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there to pray.’ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus prayed at Gethsemane as hope vanished for another way for His Father to accomplish the salvation of sinners. Jesus accepted the will of his Father for him and so should we.
