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PRAYER has to do with the entire man. Prayer takes in man in his whole being, mind, soul and body. It takes the whole man to pray, and prayer affects the entire man in its gracious results. As the whole nature of man enters into prayer, so also all that belongs to man is the beneficiary of prayer.
I agree with pastor E.M Bounds that prayer affects everything, body, mind, and soul. Since that’s true, I wonder why we don’t pray more. With so much talk about New Year’s resolutions and the fresh start we all hope to receive in 2021, why don’t we make prayer a priority?
I know what you’re thinking, and I want to help you reset your focus on prayer.
Your first question may be, “when will I have time to pray?” We can look to the apostle Paul for an answer. He wrote, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18), and “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). My feeling is that when the Holy Spirit lays on your heart to pray, let nothing stand in your way. Your immediate prayerful response can be life-changing.
Others may ask, “what do I pray?” Jesus has the answer for that one, “”Pray, then, in this way (Matthew 6:9).” The Lord Jesus then teaches His disciples what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9–15). You may ask, “What makes this prayer so special? I have needs, don’t I need to pray for me?” While that may be important, keep in mind that you’re meeting with God Himself, and what a better way to pray than the words He gave His closest followers.
Friends, Intimacy with the Father is the supreme benefit of the Lord’s Prayer. It was for Jesus, and it can be for us. Jesus’ Prayer opens the door to a transforming personal relationship that will never end. There is no real, sustaining spiritual life apart from intimacy with God. Jesus said in John 5:19, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” Jesus lived in deep communion with His Father. Prayer was the mechanism, the instrument, by which He experienced oneness. As you begin this New Year, don’t you want to feel that kind of intimate closeness to God?
Also, for greater intimacy with your heavenly Father, praying the Lord’s Prayer multiplies your prayer confidence. How many times do you pray, just hoping that you are saying the “right” thing? How many prayers do we offer up in “meaningless repetition” (Matthew 6:7), as if God requires a quota of words before He will respond? Practicing the Lord’s Prayer will boost your confidence because you are praying the words of Jesus Himself. How can you go wrong? Wouldn’t it be incredible to start this year with boldness in your prayers and your willingness to pray for others?
Here’s the challenge. Pray the Lord’s Prayer for forty days. See for yourself the incredible benefits this beautiful prayer has for you, your family, your work, your relationships, and your intimacy with the Father. Let me know how you’re doing (info@trexo.org), and if you need help, my book Brilliant is all about how this magnificent prayer will change not merely how you pray but your life.
Take the challenge. It can only bring you a blessing.
