A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

PRAYER

Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” 

I remember my Lutheran elementary school teacher teaching me that prayer is a heart-to-heart conversation with God. A prayer can be many words. Sometimes a prayer is only a sigh. (Romans 8:26) Your prayers can be joined with those of your fellow believers and they can be prayed in the privacy of your home. The place and circumstances of your prayers are not important to God. Rather, He simply invites you to pour out your heart to Him, He promises to listen and then to answer. 

It is good to have some discipline to your prayer life. By this I mean to establish for yourself a time and a place where and when you will daily pray. Doing this, disciplines you to truly cast all your cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7.) At the same time, doing so will provide you with daily opportunity to thank and praise God for His good and gracious gifts.   

Your prayers matter. James writes, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” The word righteous refers to a person who is committed to doing the will of God and desires a right relationship with Him.” In faith a righteous man will always pray, “not my will but Your will be done.” In your prayers you will ask God to guide and direct your every thought, word, and deed. 

Your prayers do not need to be eloquent. They do not need to be as intense as was Jesus’ when in the Garden while He prayed, He sweat blood. They can be short and on the other hand some will be long. You can ask others to pray with you or for you. God simply wants you to pray continually. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)   

The Small Catechism says in your prayers “. . . you can ask God for everything that tends to the glory of God and to (your) own and (your) neighbor’s welfare, both spiritual and bodily blessings. (You) should also praise and thank God for who He is and what He does.” (Page 176) St. Paul encourages, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) 

Prayer: Lord, hear my prayers and answer them according to Your will and for my good. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be still, my soul, before the Lord,
For God is always near.
Before your mind is moved to pray,
God listens and will hear. 

You need not multiply your words
Nor pray with practiced art.
Beyond all speech, God understands
The hunger of your heart. 

Wait, then, in quiet confidence,
Your anxious thought at rest.
God knows your needs before you ask
And works for what is best. 

Be sill, my soul, before the Lord;
On God in patience wait.
God’s love, unseen, surrounds your life;
God’s help will not be late.  (LSB 771)