When i think of prayer

When I think of prayer, it is all about connecting with our Heavenly Father and our relationship with Him. We don't want to be the relative who comes knocking on the door with all sorts of demands but hasn't bothered to keep in touch for months.

He is our heavenly Father and He is interested in our lives always, everyday.  He is not a last resort lifeline to be grabbed hold of when all else has failed.  Yet how often do we try and fix things ourselves before ever considering to hand it over to God.

It is human nature to do so and one of the things that we all struggle with. However, it is in our weakness that He is strong.  Jesus himself gave us a model of prayer. We should first acknowledge that God is our Father in Heaven and offer Him praise.

Desire for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done here on earth just as it is in heaven.  It is Him that we come to and ask to supply our needs and to forgive our sins in the same measure as we forgive others who have wronged us.   We can ask not to be led into temptation and to be delivered from evil. We can again acknowledge His kingdom and his Power and Glory that will be forever.

Matthew 6:9-13 in the message translation reads very simply:

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

God wants relationship with us.

He is not looking for some sort of formulated performance in prayer.

Jesus suggests to go into a room and close the door and pray to our Father as simply and as honestly as we can.

God sees what is done in secret, and will reward you, He knows what we need before we ask.

When we shift the focus from ourselves to God we will begin to feel that connection and to sense His grace and His peace settle over us.

Scripture references about and  encouraging prayer

Psalm 69:13, Hebrews 4:16, Daniel 9:17, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Philippians 4:6–7, Romans 12:12, 1 John 5:14–15, Mark 11:24, Ephesians 6:17–18, 1 Timothy 2:1, Jonah 2:7, Romans 8:26, James 5:13, 1 Chron 16:11, Psalms 141:2,
Luke 18:1, Psalms 4:1, Luke 6:12, 1 John 1:9, Acts 16:25, Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 18:6.