June 4th - Prayer Instructions

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

"...bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:28)

Jesus instructed humanity to pray for those who mistreat us. And He also instructed us where to pray.

“...when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6)

The first thing we are to do in prayer is forgive those we are holding a grudge against.

"...when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." (Mark 11:25)

Below is the model prayer that Jesus gave us - we were taught this prayer at school when I was a kid.

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Mathew 6:9-13)

It is not easy for me to follow instructions, but I learned that prayer gives me peace when I follow the above instructions - and now I do not worry, and pray about everything!

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:6-8)