Teach us how to pray

The disciples came to Jesus at one point in the Gospel and asked Him to teach them how to pray. From this passage we have what is called the Lord's prayer. This is not a specific prayer we memorize and pray over and over, but rather the format for prayer. Here is how you pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 NLT:

"Pray like this:

Our Father In heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

Begin with praise! Our father in heaven, may your name kept holy. Don't begin your daily prayer with repentance or asking God for your needs. Praise Him! Tell Him how much you love Him and need Him. Psalm 100:4,5 says enter with thanksgiving and praise. Begin with praise.

Ask for God's will to be done in your life, school, church, pastors, friends, family. "May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done..." Pray for God's will to be done in your life. Ask Him to reveal His will to you and let Him know you are willing to do His will.

Ask for your daily needs. "Give us today the food we need." Ask for love, joy, peace, finances, faith, strength, favor, grace, friendships and on and on and on. Now it's time to let your request be made known to God.

Ask for forgiveness. "And forgive our sins, as we have forgiven..." Ask God to forgive you of everything you did wrong since the last time you repented. Say out loud that you forgive others around you that have hurt or wronged you. Now is the time for repentance.

Ask for strength and protection. "And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." Ask God to keep you from temptation. Speak out loud that you crucify the flesh and that you walk in the Spirit. Pray for protection and deliverance.

End with praise. Finish your prayer with praise again. Thank God for doing these things in your life. Praise Him again and go out with a heart of thanksgiving and praise!

Prayer: Jesus teach me how to pray. I want to pray powerful and effective prayers like you did!

I heard a teaching on this long ago and cannot remember who I learned this from and therefore cannot give proper credit. However since that time I have come upon what is called a "Rhema Card" written by Pastor Wendell Smith of The City Church. He has one called the Daily Prayer card which helps you pray through this. You can purchase one of these here. I use this in my prayer life and want to give him the credit for the above teaching.