Luke 11:2a “And He said to them, “When you pray, say:”
We are told in the Bible to pray. Jesus set the example and prayed to the Father continuously. (Luke 3:21, Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Matthew 26:39, Matthew 14:19, Luke 22:32) He is our example.
Who do we pray to? Of course we should only be praying to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the only and the one true God. But what is it to pray to God? We know it is a good thing which the Word calls us to do, (1 Thessalonians 5:17) but what makes it special to you? Why does God want us to pray? Of course we treasure that we can bring our prayers to the one who is able to answer them all. Certainly the Lord loves that we should rely upon Him. Prayer is a good thing. But what is best about prayer? Why is it such a vital blessing?
Reading and studying the Word is a special blessing. Pondering it and memorizing it stores blessings within that God will use to bless our lives, gives us confidence in God and a sure hope for tomorrow. The Lord draws us to Him through His Word. However reading and memorizing the Bible means nothing if Jesus is not loved and obeyed. To read the Word of God with the Holy Spirit within is the key and the beauty. Asking the Spirit to reveal the meaning within is the key. Of course, Knowing Jesus as one’s Savior and Lord is what must precede the receiving of the Holy Spirit within. To really understand the Word one must be taught by the Spirit.
Studying without the Spirit is not more profitable than a hater of Christ who studies the Word (in vain) with the motivation of profaning the faith.
When a person arrives atop a beautiful place to watch the sunrise, or the sunset, and has a wonderful time with the Lord, some mistakenly think that the blessings was the place rather than God Himself. We can return to the place thinking it blesses us when the blessings come instead from God. The presence of God comes not from any place, but from God Himself. The place may motivate us to be alone with God, but God alone gives His blessings. (James 1:17)
So the reading of the Word, without the Spirit of God revealing it, is fruitless. We must read and study the Word of God to know God. But we must do it with the Spirit of God in gratitude to Him. When we pray, it is not the act of praying that is most important. A godless man can pray to the universe that has no power to answer. The beauty of praying, of talking with God, is fellowshipping with Him. The honor of praying to Him is to be in His presence. The goal is to know the Lord God in a personal and relational way. That is what gives us a sure knowledge that He is and also who He is. To be able to say “God is my personal friend” (by the grace of God through Jesus) is the purpose and meaning of prayer. It is not a work to check off so we feel like we did a good deed. The goal is to be in fellowship with God. To hear Him, to obey Him, to cherish Him. That is the prize of prayer. The act profits as it brings us to His presence. So let us pray continuously as we seek and find His presence. After all Jesus assumed that all who belong to Him would pray. (Matthew 6:5-7, Luke 11:2) Then we can confidently assert, to all who ask, that yes, we do personally and truly know God. Now that is the greatest blessing. Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.