AUTUMN SERIES: PRAYER - How To Pray 9/22/21

If you think about it...the Lords Prayer is an outline on HOW to pray.
By: Shelli Jones
​September 22, 2021

​Today, we'll focus on Prayer, specifically on How To Pray...

Intro and explanation: Our hope is that this guided time of reflection and devotion will be powerful, but simple enough that you can replicate it for the remainder of your life. We'll begin each post with the scripture passage as well as the practice of slowing down, allowing our savior to speak to us through His word.This "slowing down" is based off of a form of reading, prayer, and meditation that has been around for centuries called Lectio Divina. This simple, yet powerful way of reading scripture (and meditating on it), is helpful for connecting us to the word of God. Then, we'll move on to a video and devotion written by an Exago staff member. Let's get started...

​SLOWING DOWN:

1. Breath in, slowly, for 5 seconds.
2. Hold it for 5 seconds. Try to hold that breath as you focus on the goodness of Jesus and the the gift of PRAYER. 
3. Breath out, slowly, for 5 seconds.
4. Repeat this as much as you would like, always thanking the Lord for whatever He puts on your heart, or brings to your mind.

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY:

• Let's open our hearts to how the Lord is speaking to us today as we mediate on The Lords Prayer
• Slowly, read the prayer three times before moving on.

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:9-13

• What is the Lord revealing to you today in this prayer? Take time to write it down.

DEVOTION OF THE DAY:

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By: Shelli Jones
September 22nd, 2021

Do you ever lack motivation and feel lost on WHAT or HOW to pray? Perhaps you're in a season when your prayers feel empty or shallow? Sometimes, we just need to follow the model that was laid out before us, in order to nudge us along. 

R&B singer Aretha Franklin had a song called "I say a little prayer for you". In the song, she literally goes throughout her day talking to God...asking him to answer her prayers and bless a relationship that she's in. Even when she's brushing her hair and putting on her make up, she talks to God.

Now, our God is not a Genie in a bottle, granting wishes, however we are invited to commune with him daily through prayer. In fact Jesus gave us a road map on exactly how to pray. When he was giving the Sermon on the Mount to his followers and disciples, he said “when you pray, pray like this…” and he gave them the Lord's Prayer. It’s an outline, if you think about it...

Step 1 - PRAISE HIM: “Our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be your name...” 

Step 2 - PROCLAIM TRUTH:  “...Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven..." 

Step 3 - ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND HELP:  “...Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us...” 

Step 4 - SAVE US: “...and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil"

And then end with gratitude and thanks.  

It's a simple outline, but a very powerful one. If you struggle with HOW or WHAT to pray, just follow the outline. Make it personal. Add in specific names, events, burdens, and joys. 

I encourage you to think about it as you go throughout your day praying.