Tuesday 23rd May 2023
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven – Luke 11:1
In His lesson on prayer, Jesus began His statement by saying, ‘When you pray…’, signifying the necessity of prayer. He didn’t make it a conditional or optional statement by using ‘if’, because prayer is an inevitable path in the journey of faith. Jesus didn’t just teach prayer, but He lived an exemplary prayer life. His consistent prayer life was what inspired His Disciples to ask Him to teach them how to pray. This is revealed in Luke 11:1 – ‘And it came to pass as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His Disciples said unto Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…”’ Prayer is best learnt by praying, and it is best taught by exemplification.
This was a common practice with Christ. Each day comes with new needs and demands for prayer, and as we end our day, if we are sensitive enough, we would see a thousand and one reasons to end the day in prayer. For Christ, it was a lifestyle which He lived all through His earthly life and Ministry.
We too, if we must succeed in our walk and work on this side of eternity, then prayer is a nonnegotiable constant factor. We must be determined to make it a lifestyle rather than an occasional religious ritual. May the Lord grant us grace to live prayerful lives.
PRAYER: FATHER, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to help me in the place of prayer. I ask for the grace to imbibe the discipline and lifestyle of prayer by the help of Your Spirit in Jesus Name.
Prayer Devotional 