Previous blogs have explained that God longs jealously for a deep relationship with us. That our relationship grows as deep and intimate as our prayer-life allows, because it grows only as much as we give ourselves to prayer. Prayer is all our communication with God, and communication is two-way, listening and speaking.
So, some very big questions arise: How do we pray? What do we pray? Where do we pray? Are there right/wrong ways to pray?
Let’s start with what Jesus said about how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV).
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The first thing Jesus establishes is relationship: “Our Father…” We have got to remember God is strategic. Everything He does has purpose. He doesn’t waste a single word. The set-up Jesus intends for our prayer life is that it begins with the revelation of our relationship with the Father.
You are loved by the Father. This will never change. You have been fully restored to relationship with the Father because of Jesus and His sacrifice for your life. You are precious to the Father, so the price He paid was worth it. You are worth it.
No demon, no lie of the enemy, no person (good or bad), no life circumstance, no failure on your part can change the eternal truth that God loves you and sent Jesus to pay the price for your life, so you could be restored to relationship with the Father. You have full rights as a Son or Daughter in the Household of God, a Family member, a citizen of His heavenly kingdom. Jesus did this. It is yours. And it’s permanent. It cannot be stolen from you.
God is your very good, kind, and loving Father. He wants you know–to be fully–convinced, of His absolute goodness. God is very good, kind, and loving. He is absolutely GOOD in all He does, and He loves you. If you can allow this revelation to drop into your heart, it will change everything about your life. It will redefine everything. It will rightly align you with Heaven!
The first point of prayer begins with this revelation being established in your heart. Jesus wants this settled in your heart: You are fully accepted, fully loved. You are God’s child. God is a good Father and takes great care of His children, so He knows how to take care of you. He knows what you need. He knows what’s best for you!
