Tag Archives: prayer

How to Pray: Using the Lord’s Prayer as an Example

Learn How to Pray by Using the Lord's Prayer as an example

How to Pray: Using the Lord’s Prayer as an Example

Staying with the theme of prayer this week, I thought I’d spend some more time on how to pray—specifically using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide.  I will also give you an example of how I would personally use the Lord’s Prayer to pray at the start of my day.  Jesus gave “The Lord’s Prayer” as an example of how to pray (not necessarily meant to be memorized and quoted).  I find it hilarious how Hollywood always portrays Christians praying this prayer.  It’s the typical stereotype of Christians–that whenever we pray, this must be what we say every time.  Don’t even get me started on the stereotypical, weak, and ignorant ways that Hollywood depicts Christians.  That’s another soapbox I can get stuck on for a while!

Anyhow, I don’t believe that Jesus meant for the Lord’s Prayer to be the ONLY way and the only thing that we pray (and especially not word for word).  I know this because there are numerous other examples of prayer throughout the Bible, and they are not all identical to this.  He also said “pray like this” or “pray in this manner” NOT “pray this”.

So keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at a line-by-line breakdown of the Lord’s Prayer and how we might use it as a guide to pray. 

Matthew 6:9 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

This is an example or a protocol of sorts of how we should approach God. By calling him “hallowed” we are showing honor and reverence and submitting to his ultimate authority. It’s important to worship God and give Him praise.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

The Bible said we should come to God with praise and thanks.  The start of your prayer is the best time to do this (read more in this post on starting with praise).  Giving praise, glory, and thanks to God first helps us to prioritize Him.  First honor, then ask.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Matthew Henry said in his commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, “We must begin our prayers with praising God, and it is very fit he should be first served, and that we should give glory to God, before we expect to receive mercy and grace from him. Let him have praise of his perfections, and then let us have the benefit of them.[i]

Praising God can sometimes seem awkward, at least for me it is.  It’s often hard to know what to say.  I’ve found it helpful to praise Him for His character traits and attributes, especially roles He’s played in my life recently.  It’s also helpful to praise Him for who I need Him to be.  If I need to be comforted, I praise Him that He is a comforter.  If I need healing, I praise Him for being a healer, and so on.  At my Moms in Prayer group each week we always start our prayers with praising God for one of His attributes (click here for a list of attributes provided by Moms in Prayer or click here or here for some posts). 

Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

This is an example Continue reading

When and Where to Pray

Get tips here to know when and where to pray...

When and Where to Pray

In a previous post, we talked about the why’s of praying and the many reasons for the importance of prayer.  This week I’d like to share some about when and where to pray.  This by no means is a legalistic list of do’s and don’ts, but rather some food for thought or general guidelines to think about as you establish your own prayer routines.

Pray without ceasing…an ongoing conversation

As far as WHEN to pray, there really are so many options!  You can pray when you wake up, when you go to sleep, before meals, during quiet times, in the shower, in the car, anytime, or all the time.  The important thing is to find time.

I remember having an epiphany or an “aha” moment in college.  I read the scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:17 which states to “pray without ceasing” (some versions say pray continually, pray constantly or never stop praying).  Growing up, my regular (and really only) prayer times were before meals and at bedtime.  This new insight allowed me to realize that there is really no certain or right time to pray.  God wants to talk to me all day!  I just need to pray all the time.

That’s when I started having a daily, ongoing conversation with God.  I still had regular and more formal times to pray, but more often than not I would just talk to God throughout the day.  This idea of an ongoing conversation (kind of like an invisible friend walking beside me all day long) gave me the freedom to have a friendship and real relationship with God.  I didn’t even say “amen”—it was literally an unending conversation all day long (sometimes out loud and sometimes silently in my head).

I often tell people, “if people could see me when I’m alone they’d think I was crazy—talking ‘to myself’ all the time.”  At least nowadays there’s Bluetooth and earbuds, so as far as they know I might just be on the phone! The point is, you don’t always have to be formal in prayer.  Just have an ongoing conversation with God.  You don’t even have to say “Dear God” and “Amen”. 🙂

Have a regular prayer time

Aside from ongoing prayer, I think it’s also important to have a regular time to pray.  Having a routine can be helpful.  I heard Beth Jones say once, “You can pray anytime, but HAVE a time.”  A regular, routine time to pray will strengthen your relationship with God.  Morning, noon, or night, God wants to hear from you and connect with you.

Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice.” Psalm 55:17 (NLT) 

Pray when situations call for it

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15 Reasons Why We Pray

15 Reason Why We Pray...Learn the importance and reasons for prayer

15 Reasons Why We Pray

I’ve been on the receiving end of so many answered prayers.  I cannot even begin to count the prayers that God has answered, both big and small.  From… Eric getting out of a military assignment that would have taken him away for over 12 months soon after we were married, to having a happy, healthy baby after a miscarriage, to financial provision right when we needed it, to something as simple as finding lost car keys… God has proven faithful time and time again.  My only complaints would be that God’s answers to my prayers didn’t always come in MY timing 🙂, and sometimes His answer was not the answer I wanted or expected (at the time).  Over the years and after a lot of practice praying, I’ve discovered the importance of prayer and the many reasons why we pray.

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer.  So, I thought I’d share some of the reasons why we pray and the importance of prayer.  Then, in other posts we’ll discuss some of the logistics of prayer…when to pray, where to pray, what and how to pray, and even some of the hindrances to prayer.

We need to make prayer a regular part of our daily lives.  There are many reasons why we pray and why we should speak to God.  In order for any relationship to thrive, there MUST be communication.  Our relationship with God is no different.  It is imperative that we communicate with God on a daily basis.  I’ve come up with 15 reasons why we pray. Obviously, I’m sure there are so many more, but here are some excellent reasons to get us started 😉 …

15 Reasons Why We Pray: Continue reading

Podcast Interview: The Power of Praying Scripture

Podcast Interview-The Power of Praying Scripture title image

Podcast Interview: The Power of Praying Scripture

I recently had the honor and pleasure of being interviewed by Leighann McCoy with the Prayer Clinic. Leighann McCoy is an author, public speaker, and prayer minister. Leighann has a heart for teaching people and churches to pray in such a way that they experience God’s presence and power in daily life. Her ministry, the Prayer Clinic, was birthed out of her passion to empower churches to become houses of prayer. During our time together we discussed the power of praying scripture along with some hindrances we might encounter when we pray and wait for the answer to our prayers.

In lieu of a post this week, I invite you to listen to the podcast!

Power of Praying Scripture (and other great tips) with Tracy Robbins” via the Prayer Clinic Podcast site

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Click here to listen on the Prayer Clinic episode page

On Apple Podcasts

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Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts

On Google Podcasts

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Click here to listen on Google Podcasts

On Spotify

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Click here to listen on Spotify

 

Learn more about scripture-based prayers, why they’re so powerful, and how to craft one in this post.

If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

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Prayer & Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Recently, I received a request from a reader to write a post with scriptures and a prayer template to pray for survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. Although I have not personally dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse, I have friends and family members who have, and I also work with a local Christian women’s restoration home (Glory House) where many of the women we help deal with this. Because I have not personally dealt with or recovered from this kind of trauma, I wanted to be sensitive and do my due diligence in researching this, praying about it, and speaking with people more versed than I am before I wrote about it.

As a result, I’ve written this post with the help and vetting of some recovered survivors of sexual abuse and with some direction from the leadership at Glory House. In fact, Ms. Susie Barnes, Executive Director at Glory House who has almost 25 years of helping women and their families, said to me:

I’m still amazed by God and His ability to heal people from such trauma!  It gives me great hope and confidence to tell others it is possible.  Amen!

My hope and prayer through this post are to provide some prayers, scriptures, resources, and hope for those who may have loved ones that are dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse. **Please note, that I am not an expert or a licensed professional and that this is merely meant to serve as a helpful resource. It’s also important to get proper help and counseling from people who are trained, experienced, and have dealt with the trauma of sexual abuse.

The good news is that nothing is too hard for God. There is hope for being healed and restored.

Prayer and Scriptures for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Below you will find a compilation of prayers to pray for survivors of sexual abuse along with supporting, relevant scriptures. *At the bottom of the post, you will find a list of additional resources.

You don’t have to pray ALL of these things all at once or all of the time.  You can just pick a couple of these things to pray for each day or pick the ones that are most relevant. These prayers are written to pray for someone else; however, they can most certainly be adapted to pray for yourself, if you are the survivor of abuse, by using personal pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).

Text in red are example prayers followed by reinforcing scriptures: Continue reading

Prayer for Ukraine

Prayer for Ukraine image

Prayer for Ukraine

As I’ve been watching the news and what’s been happening in Ukraine, I’ve had such empathy for the people there and my heart has been grieving. I’ve spent time in prayer praying for protection of people, wisdom for the leaders, boldness, and courage, help from others, etc.

In church this past Sunday, we sang the song, “The Blessing”. As I sang, I had a nudge in my spirit that I could pray this for Ukraine. Then I prayed, “This is my prayer for them Lord. This is my prayer for Ukraine.” I changed the words as I sang to customize it into a prayer for Ukraine.

Will you join me in praying this blessing over Ukraine?

Prayer for Ukraine

Lord, bless Ukraine and keep them
Make Your face shine upon them
And be gracious to them
Lord, turn Your face toward them
And give them peace

May Your favor be upon them
And a thousand generations
And their family and their children
And their children, and their children

May Your presence go before them
And behind them, and beside them
All around them, and within them
You are with them

In the morning, in the evening
In their coming, and their going
In their weeping, and rejoicing
You are for them.

Amen.

Prayer adapted from "The Blessing": Written by Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes ©2020 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing, Capitol CMG Paragon / Writers Roof Publishing, Worship Together Music / Kari Jobe Carnes Music CCLI #: 7147007

Relevant scriptures to accompany this prayer

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More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times

More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times title image

More Resources for Bible Meditation, Prayer, and Quiet Times

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

I’ve often said I fancy myself a curator of resources. 😉 I’ve written a lot about practical methods, resources, and tools for studying scripture, praying, and growing in your relationship with God (much of this can be found on the “New to Faith?” page on the site). Recently, I shared several resources and tools for Bible study. In this post, I’d like to share a few more, specifically in relation to biblical meditation, prayer, and resources for your quiet times. These are especially helpful for those who might be auditory learners or prefer to listen to audible, narrated, or guided material.

These resources are just another way to instill scripture into your spirit and build your faith by hearing the word of God and meditating on it. (Read more on how to meditate on scripture here.) I hope you enjoy these resources and find them helpful!

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

“And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” Mark 4:24 (AMPC)

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Lectio 365 app

The Lectio 365 app has been a recent favorite of mine. According to their site, “Lectio 365 is a daily devotional resource to help you pray through the Bible every day. It has been written by 24-7 Prayer leaders (an international, interdenominational prayer movement) and delivered through a free app. Lectio 365 contains devotional content to help you pause and pray at the start and end of every day.[1]

Their daily meditation is inspired by an ancient form of praying and meditation called Lectio Divina. According to Wikipedia, Lectio Divina is a “…practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First, a passage of scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.”[2]

I typically spend around ten minutes when I listen to the audio version (as opposed to reading through on my own). Personally, I like the peaceful background music, and I love the guided prayers and pauses for moments of reflection and to hear from the Holy Spirit. I often find a fixed location (a comfy, chair in my room where I read my Bible each morning), close my eyes, and practice intentional, relaxed breathing.

Eric and I have also really enjoyed listening and night just before sleeping, as it relaxes us and focuses our thoughts on God and scripture just before drifting off to sleep. It’s a very calming way to end the day and to help with sleep (as I sometimes struggle).

Here’s a description from the Lectio 365 website:

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Funny Friday: Praying for the Whole Population

Praying for the whole population meme

Funny Friday: Praying for the Whole Population

Do you ever mention someone in your prayers, then you feel bad for not mentioning other people, then suddenly you start including the whole population?

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people…” 1 Timothy 2:1a (NLT)