I believe that too often, we ask to gather as opposed to learn.

“¹Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” – Luke 11:1 (ESV)

This passage teaches the same model of prayer that is found in Matthew 6:9, except that here you see the disciples asking for the model of prayer. This full passage, Luke 11:1-13, is about asking and receiving. Jesus uses the simple ask for the model of prayer to teach of the importance of asking.

As I have mentioned a number of times, my career is corporate training and one of the things I make very clear is that it is important to ask questions that you need answers to. If you do not ask, you have very little if any chance at learning the answers. The key word in that last sentence is “learning”. There are ways of acquiring the learning that you are looking for such as seeking it out for yourself, recalling and applying things from the past, and asking to get answers from those that are in the position to know.

There are those that can teach us and it is a good idea to go to them when we find ourselves in need. Jesus is that one that can teach us and therefore we should seek answers from Him. Prayer is that way to ask and get answers. No, He may not tell you what it is you are wanting or needing to know, it may be that He just simply leads and guides you to where you can find the answers. His word is a great place to start looking before, during, and after asking. There we can find all of the answers, as God’s word is our manual to navigating our time in this world. But, it is important to remember that just looking in God’s word for the answers is not going to provide what we need, as you can see in the model prayer that Jesus has provided for us, in Luke and in Matthew, we have to ask for provision to learn and then work to apply them to the tasks of doing the work God has for us.

When you are seeking answers, where are you looking? Are you just looking or are you asking? What if we asked God for the answers and then allowed Him to guide us?

I struggle and will likely continue to struggle with the fact that I do for others and continue to, in some cases, do the work they were tasked with doing, only to not receive any acknowledgment or even a thank you. I am human and require to be at least acknowledged for the work I do.

“³⁰Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back.” – Luke 6:30 (ESV)

Jesus reminds me here that my job is to continue to give. To continue doing for others without the expectation of return. I have to be the “bigger” person and continue to be the example that He has given me.

This passage is titled “Love Your Enemies”, and as I do know that to be the actions I am to take, it is not easy. Jesus knows this to be true and that is why he has provided his guiding word. To love you enemies is also found in Matthew chapter 5. I even studied and wrote about the passage here titled, “Pray Even for Those Against You”. So this is something that God really wants me to be looking at in my life.

I am only a man that is trying to live my kingdom purpose and can only seek the guidance from God in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity that He has given me to do His work. I have to remember the words from this passage and especially verses 35 and 36.

“³⁵But love you enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting noting in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:35-36 (ESV)

You see, I am to be giving and loving with all I come in contact with. I am to bring the word of God to all, regardless of their relationship or treatment to me. I have to remember that they truly may not know and it is my role to educate them and most importantly pray for and love them.

When you look at the way you are treated, how do you react to those that are against you? Are you willing and able to continue giving in spite of what you may have returned to you? What if you simply loved those against you, praying and giving to them without the expectation of reciprocation?

Question this morning. Have you fallen asleep while reading or doing some other sedentary activity? I know that I have, on a great number of occasions. I lie down in bed to sleep for the night and take on reading only to find myself 20 minutes later on the same page. It seems as though my brain has just given up and disconnected to allow for rest.

This morning I was led to the passage in Matthew 26 of Jesus praying in Gethsemane. He knew that His time was about at hand and was taking this opportunity to pray to God, His Father, about the very action and to ask what could be done. With Him He took Peter, James, and John. He asked them to stay behind and keep watch as He went on a bit further to pray in private to God.

“³⁸Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’” – Matthew 26:38 (ESV)

Notice even the word was to keep “watch” and not just wait. They were to be doing work and not just waiting for Jesus return. And when He did return, what did He find, but the men asleep. And so, He coached them to again keep “watch and pray”.

“⁴¹Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41 (ESV)

And Jesus went back to pray more. And returned to find them asleep once again. This time He left them alone and went again to pray. And upon His return, they were sleeping once again and this time as Jesus had completed His prayer time, he gave them additional coaching as the four of them moved on.

“⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.’” – Matthew 26:45-46 (ESV)

What I am seeing here is that Jesus was letting the disciples know that there is a time for rest and a time for action. While He was praying to the Father, they were given the opportunity to do the same. No doubt they were tired from the journey and work they were doing with Jesus. He was able to stay with it and pray, and therefore the disciples should have been able to as well.

I believe that we all have good intentions and want to do everything for God. I know that I do. The thing is that I am human and will wear down. But, I have to remember that there is a time for rest and a time for work. Now is the time for work. Sometimes that work may simply be preparing and asking for guidance from God and that may be the most important work of all. It is in that work that we should dedicate our time to Him and take rest when He makes it possible once our work is done. Pray now, rest later.

When you are praying, what is your focus on the action of praying? Are you finding yourself drifting off into a period of rest? What if we treated prayer as action and preparation for more physical work later and took rest when we are done?

“³⁷Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” – Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

How often have I indicated that there was work to be done only to walk away without taking any action, to often for sure. It is easy for me to see and know that there is action that needs to be taken. I have looked at those instances and justified my inaction for them not being my responsibility, but are they really not mine?

I have a responsibility to the work that God has laid out for me in this world. I have to take action where action is needed. If it is not my role to do the work I see, then it is my role to ensure that the work is done by those that have the capacity to do it. In the event that there is no one that is assigned or that has the ability to do the work, then it is mine to do and then the discussion as to who will be responsible should come after. I should not just be avoiding the work because, “it is not my job”.

In this passage, Jesus was being followed by the disciples and the people alike. There was work to be done in bringing the people to Him for their salvation. The disciples knew that there was work to be done, however with Jesus right there, they were waiting for Him to do the work. Jesus took the opportunity to teach rather than rebuke. In the verses above He is telling the disciples that they are tasked with work, at minimum to find those to go and preach the gospel to the people, but as they were already there, they should be willing to do the work themselves.

Too often I wait to go. My prayer to and conversation with God should not be solely to discuss what should be done, but how and where I can take action. I should be asking to be sent to do the work of God in the world today. I should be going and not just sending others.

What actions do you take when there is work to be done? Are you quicker to tell others or to take action yourself? What if we prayed to be sent to do the work of God as opposed to asking for the work to be done?

My personality is one where I analyze things prior to doing them. It might take me a minute to act on something because I have the need to see as many angle as possible and be sure that I am thorough in my approach. With this personality, the idea of praying with structure appeals to me greatly.

“⁹Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” – Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

As a good number know, this is known as “The Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus gives us this model of how to pray. Yes, He gives us a structure to follow as we pray so as to not miss anything of importance in our conversations with God. I have an outline to follow and that outline allows me to see things from many angles so that my prayer is thorough.

You see, I, as I am sure a good number of us, will wander in my prayer and/or only ask for things. Prayer is much more than that for sure. “The Lord’s Prayer” gives me the items that should highlight my time with God. My conversations with God should always include the structure given to us by Jesus.

Elements of prayer include, God’s glorification, acknowledgment of His will in our lives, thanks for the provision for our needs, repentance, and deliverance. These are the basics that we should be engaged with in our conversations with God. It is not all that we can talk to Him about, they are just the basics. Everything else falls into the requests, wants, and desires.

God will allow me to have beyond the basics. It is not that He does not want for me to have them, it is just He knows how those things will impact my relationship with Him. It is okay for me to add those items into my prayer, but they are just that, add-ins. I should be starting with the structure and the basics and then with time left over, my other requests are added.

Prayer is the conversation between me and God. That conversation is to grow closer in our relationship and allow God to work in my life to fulfill my purpose for Him. Having structure to the conversation makes sure that I am staying on task and cover the things that are important in the eyes of God and that, frankly, should be important in my eyes as well.

What does your prayer and prayer time look like? Are you just winging it each and every time you talk with God? What if you were to add the structure of “The Lord’s Prayer” to make sure that you cover all of the important items?

“⁵And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁷And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” – Matthew 6:5 & 7 (ESV)

I want to be careful in that it is the motives of those praying that Jesus is calling out here, not the prayer itself. I am sure that most of us have seen those that are praying loud and proud for all to see on the street and in other venues. They are loud and boisterous and pray for the longest time just to give the impression that they are somehow more holy than others and that their words alone will garner them some recognition.

I have been asked to pray in public before and have fallen to the idea that I have to somehow be eloquent and wordy. I have found myself going on and repeating things to God just to speak longer that somehow that might make the prayer even better.

⁶But 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. ⁸…for you Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Matthew 6:6 & 8b (ESV)

This is the type of relationship that should be had with Christ. That personal intimate relationship. Saying, in private, only that which needs to be said. Speaking with God, knowing that I have His full attention and that He is hanging on every word. It is a conversation between He and I, and that is where is the focus.

This is not to say that we should not be praying in public. On the contrary. I should take every opportunity to pray and speak with God. But, I also must remember the relationship and that the prayer is intimate and between He and I. I should be saying what should be said and no more or less. I should be lifting others up to Him and leaving it at that. No need to go on and on so that I will be considered something more than I am. It has been recognized that I have a relationship with God and that has prompted others to ask me to continue that work in public. The message should be the same, only others are able to hear.

When you pray, are you doing so to impress others or to speak with God? Are you looking to lift yourself up to a higher standing? What if we were to simply have a conversation with God in private or in public when asked to do so?

This morning I was led to the passage in Matthew 5 titled “Love Your Enemies”. I know this is a difficult one to undertake, especially when our enemies do not give us a reason to love them. I have studied this passage a number of times and the most impactful time was back in 2018 when I was reminded to show God’s love even when I may not feel the need to do so.

“⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” – Matthew 5:44 (ESV)

You see that I may not like those that are against me, and frankly I do not necessarily have to. I am to love them and by love that means to show them love regardless of what they do or how they treat others. My showing of love is in the form of, at minimum, prayer for them. I have written on the subject “Remember to Pray for Others Intentionally”, and this morning I am taking that to the next level by remembering to pray for others intentionally, even those that are against me.

I have mentioned my mission a number of times in my writing and again here: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love”. Praying for others, even those that are against me is doing just that. As I pray for others I am looking to improve their lives. Jesus himself said the passage above and therefor praying for others is the example of Christ’s love being shown to all.

This is a simple concept to be taken. I encourage to read and study the full passage of Matthew 5:43-48 to understand the whole of loving your enemies, but I will say this, it is easy to love those that are kind and gentle and that reciprocate. Where it is difficult is finding it in yourself to love those that are against you. Jesus is not referring to the emotion of love for all, but the action of love. I have to remember to demonstrate love to any and all I interact.

What love are you showing to those around you? Are you focused only on those that reciprocate? What if you were to pray for those against you as a demonstration of love for all?

This morning as I sat down to pray, I was sure to include all for me. I thanked God for His glory. I prayed His will done. I asked for His provision. I asked for forgiveness. It was an all about me prayer.

“⁶Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! ‘May they be secure who love you!’” – Psalm 122:6 (ESV)

Notice the prayer indicated in this Psalm. The prayer is for others and not for me. I have to remember that when praying, others are in need just as I am. As a Christian, it is my responsibility to intercede for others with God. I am to be the conduit that gives others a line to the Lord. I am to be there for my brothers and sisters so that they are not out there going it alone.

Don’t get me wrong, I have to pray for myself and all that I mentioned at the beginning of this writing. I have to be conscious of who God is, what He does, and how I can honor Him. But there is a time for that and then there is the time for my intercession for those in need, that may or may not know they are in need. When was the last time I stopped what I was doing to pray for/with someone in the moment? When was the last time I was intentional in my lifting up of others?

“⁸For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’” – Psalm 122:8 (ESV)

I have to be better at praying for those in need. I may not know exactly what their need is, but as is written in Psalm, I can pray for peace within them. I can lift them up to God to at least let them know that there are those that care for them in all aspects of there lives.

When was the last time you prayed for someone else? Are you so focused on your needs that others are getting missed in the process? What if you were to make it a point to pray for others intentionally?

“¹Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. ²Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. ³O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” – Psalm 5:1-3 (ESV)

As I read this passage, I was taken to my prayer prior to my beginning to study in the morning. I open my pray as Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. I start off by giving praise to Him and then thanking Him for the blessings He provides for me. As I refer to the passage above as it relates to the example of prayer Jesus gave, the two are in line, with one significant difference.

David, in the above, opens his prayer asking God to hear him. He seeks an audience with God. David is very intentional with his actions and that should serve as an example for me. I have to be intentional with my prayer. I have to get God’s attention. I have to be overt in my prayer to Him.

I want to be clear here that God is always paying attention to me. He knows my every move, action, thought, and word, even before I do. He does not need me to shout out to Him and draw his attention directly to me. This action to asking for God’s attention is for me. I have to let Him know so that I will be focused in my prayer to Him. I ask God to hear me so that I know to come to Him fully and not just with my words.

When I am in the corporate world, I have the opportunity to work with others that are busy with other items and when I ask for an audience or get called into meetings, I have to remain focused and intentional to be sure that I am getting out there what I intended to get out there. There is a time and a place for everything and a meeting about staffing is not the time to talk about IT issues that have popped up over the course of the last week. I have to be intentional and make sure that I am using my time to focus on the work at hand.

In my relationship with God I should be asking for an audience with Him and focusing my attention to Him. I must be intentional and not wander from topic to topic. I have a plan of what to discuss and what questions to ask. There may be a lot to discuss and hash out with God, and He wants to hear it all, but I should also use my time to fully engaged with Him.

I want to be careful here so as to not say that we should only be speaking to God when we have an appointment. That could not be further from what I am speaking. I want to indicate here that as we pray, similar to David, we should be getting our attention by asking God to hear us. Any and all times I speak with God, I should be getting His attention, for my benefit, not His, and in doing so, that will keep me on task at the time and guide me to remain in Him throughout.

Once I have my attention, I should be following the model of prayer that Jesus laid out for us:

“⁹Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)

When you pray, are you asking for God to hear you? Are you praying without intention? What if you asked God to hear you, not for His benefit, but for yours to be intentional and keep focused?

“¹²Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. ¹³When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, ¹⁴if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.’” – 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (ESV)

I have studied these verses a number of times over the past 5 years. God again leads me here when I need it. I have studied, “seek”, “heal”, and “sin”, and now the word “pray” and that is certainly not missed out here.

The LORD speaks to Solomon and clearly lets him know that He is there. But for Him to remain, there are some things that must be met and kept. The people have to have a change of heart and “humble themselves” in his presence. They need to earnestly look for or “seek” Him out at every turn and avoid sin as they “turn from their wicked ways”. I see this as all part prayer. I have to be humble, and seek Him as I turn from wickedness so that I am able to commune with God. When I am able to do so, then He will be there with me. He will hear me and heal me and will remain with me as promised.

It is not a passive process. God wants to hear from me earnestly. That is done through my prayer and communion with Him. I am to break down and allow myself to be guided by God. That means that I have to take the actions stated by Him in these verses and when I do, God will remain with me, hearing, healing, and forgiving me.

What does your communication with God look like? Are you taking action? What if you were to be earnest in your prayer and seek Him out as you turn away from wickedness to be heard, healed and forgiven?