Prayer is not difficult. We know how to talk to each other. Visiting the doctor, we tell her our knee hurts. When we are with good friends we share the issues in our lives that are most important. Saying we’re sorry and asking for forgiveness is necessary in our closest relationships. We honor each other with recognition and rejoice with each other when we achieve something important. Praying is speaking and listening to God in the same manner as we speak and listen to each other.

Jesus taught us a model prayer in the Lord’s prayer. Here’s the translation of Matthew 6:5-15, from The Message, a paraphrase translation by Eugene Peters, which is breathtaking.

Jesus said: “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.’

“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.”

This biblical instruction on how to pray is the best. This is how the mark of discipleship, daily prayer, becomes a reality in our lives.

If you are looking for more, we have a prayer team that receives e-mail requests for prayer. You can E-mail us to be put on the list as one who will pray. There is a ministry of knitting and praying called our Prayer Shawl (To Service to Others) ministry.