When you pray, are you “always” asking God for things or are you giving God Honour and Praise?
Let me explain what I mean. When I only asked God for things, whether it was health issues, a favourable outcome on something, etc, I was focused on me, my wants and my desires. I didn’t find peace, not the Peace God gives freely. My prayers were inward focused.
However, when I changed my focus onto God, giving Him thanks and praise for what He has already blessed me with, my mindset changed. I was outward focused, I found that Peace God gives (It can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic – https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-to-form-a-habit#takeaway)
This might sound strange, and yes the passage about “come as you are” and “you can ask God for anything and it will be given to you”, comes to mind, but think of it this way.
Imagine you are a parent, you have a child and you want what is best for them, you want them to respect themselves and others including you, their parent. So you teach them to say please and thank you, and be grateful for what they have been given or being given. When they do say please and thank you, it gives you joy because you see them as a polite and courteous individual who has learnt your ways. I think we have all seen or meet a child or children who has a tantrum when they can’t get their own way, or what they want. Imagine that child you saw in the supermarket, you know the one. The thought of “they need a time out” is usually one of the first things in our head, along with, what a horrible child.
Now see this from God’s perspective, are you a child which thanks Him for His many blessings in your daily life or are you a child who has a tantrum at the smallest thing which doesn’t go your way. One is nutric and one is toxic. One gives thanks and one takes.
Jesus taught us to pray like this, and this is the example we should follow in Matthew Chapter 6: Verse 5-15 (New Century Version – NCV),
“5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray so people will see them. I tell you the truth, they already have their full reward. 6 When you pray, you should go into your room and close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, don’t be like those people who don’t know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing, thinking that God will hear them because of their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.
9 So when you pray, you should pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy. 10 May your kingdom come and what you want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us the food we need for each day. 12 Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. 13 And do not cause us to be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.’ [The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.]
14 Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins. 15 But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins.”
Let’s break this down. Reread verse 9 and 10. “9… ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy. 10 May your kingdom come and what you want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven.”
Jesus starts with giving honour and praise to our Heavenly Father, and asking His will be done. Jesus teaches us this, so that we have the right mindset to start praying. That mindset is to be on God.
So how do we do this? Again Jesus shows us, reread verse 6: “6 When you pray, you should go into your room and close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen.”
We see Jesus saying to find a quiet place and shut the door so you have no distractions, so it is just you and your Father in heaven. A place you can focus on God alone.
I personally find, when I get up in the mornings, to play and sing along to Christian Worship, I do this while I get ready, have a shower, make breakfast and eat breakfast, I then pray The Holy Spirit come and teach me God’s Truths as I do my daily Bible plans (via YouVersion App), which I find as I speak to God, He responds and shows me Truths, things He wants me to know about my life, what He wants me to do, what He wants me not to do, and much more.
I want you to know this, the few things I have learnt over forty plus years is this.
1. God’s timing is perfect (it may not be your timing and you may want whatever it is now and not wait, but God has a plan, so trust Him). This will teach you patience and as the saying goes “patience is a virtue”.
2. God will only give you good gifts. If God says He’ll give you something, He will, however have patience and remember number 1 👆
3. Remember to give God Praise, Thank Him for what He has done in your life. Even the small things (I have ill health and a lot of pain most days, but I am still able to do certain things like write, make a cuppa, play with my cats, so give Him thanks).
4. Spend time in God’s presence, just you and Him. It’s a relationship, and like all relationships, you have to spend time with that other person, so make time to talk to Him and “LISTEN”. He has things to talk to you about to.
5. Spend time in Worship. I will guarantee you will feel God’s Peace upon your life, no matter what you are going through.
“Lord, Thank you for your Love towards us, this you showed us by giving your only son to die in our place. I ask as people read this blog, they will feel Your pull to You and ask you into their lives. Show them who you truly are and let the Holy Spirit speak into their lives. Bless them Father so their cup overflows and let them have a thankful heart, even in difficult times. In Jesus’ name I ask this, Amen”
BobOnLife 
You must be logged in to post a comment.