Praying in the New Year
As believers in Jesus Christ, we all recognize that we ought to pray. Most of us recognize within ourselves that we do not pray as often, as fervently, or as heavenly directed as we should.
But at the same time, we may come to recognize that we have fallen into many improper habits when it comes to prayer. The website gotquestions.com issues this list of ways we can treat prayer as something it is not. Are you guilty of any of these?
“There are many wrong views in the world and culture about prayer, even among Christians,… Prayer is not
• bargaining with God.
• making demands of God.
• only asking God for things.
• a therapeutic, meditation-type exercise.
• bothering God and taking up His time.
• a way to control the Lord.
• a way to show off one’s spirituality before others.” [1]
Scripture itself warns us not to engage in mindless repetition in our prayers. The Amplified Version says in Matthew 6:7-8, “And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”[2]
How often have you said, “I don’t pray, or I am hesitant to pray, because I’m not sure what to say or how to say it.” Well, one way to help yourself might be to take a look at the prayers that are in the Bible. Look at what people prayed for, look at how they pray, look at where, when and why they prayed. Check Google for lists,[3] or there is a comprehensive list compiled by Herbert Lockyer entitled All the Prayers of the Bible, which you might want to check out.
But here’s another idea. Why not use the model prayer Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 as a starting point for your own prayer time during the coming year? Now, it would be a good idea to look carefully at what Jesus says in Matthew 6:5-8 for some important instructions on what not to do, how not to act, and what not to think, when you pray.
That said, this prayer can serve as an excellent guide to the types of things that we should (and are encouraged) to pray for and about.
Take this prayer one phrase at a time, using it as a guide for adoration, for confession, for thanksgiving, for supplication, and as a meditation. Pray that the Holy Spirit would take your prayer, as halting as it may be, and translate the longing of your heart to the Father in “groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). As you do so, you should find yourself growing ever closer and more deeply in love with your Heavenly Father.
Unfortunately, we are so familiar with this prayer that we tend to just talk through it mindlessly. It becomes nothing more than the very meaningless repetition Jesus rebuked.
So, how can you make the most of this prayer? Here are a few ideas:
- Slow down—take it one phrase at a time, thinking and meditating on each one before moving on
- Read it in different translations
- Write it out longhand
- Paraphrase it using your own words
- If you have a study Bible, or one that has marginal notes, try looking up cross references to see what else the Bible has to say about that particular petition
- Rely on the Holy Spirit who “[knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf” (Romans 8:26 AMP). He is there, He is always ready to help you pray!
The Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer for the Anglican Church asks:
Question. When you pray this prayer, what are you asking from God?
Answer. I am asking the Lord my God, our heavenly Father, who is the giver of all goodness, to send his grace to me, and to all people (2 Corinthians 13:14); so that we may worship him, serve him, and obey him, as we ought to do (Matthew 4:10). And I pray to God, that he will send us all things that we need, both for our souls and bodies; and that he will be merciful to us, and forgive us our sins (Psalm 51:1); and that he will save and defend us in all spiritual and physical dangers (Romans 8:35-40); and that he will keep us from all sin and wickedness, and from our spiritual enemy, and from everlasting death. And this I trust he will do of his mercy and goodness, through our Lord Jesus Christ. And therefore I say, Amen, So be it.[4]
Here, then, is the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9-13 in four different translations. May the Lord bless you as you spend time with Him in prayer.
Amplified Bible
Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors. And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.[5]
Easy-to-Read Version
So this is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy. We pray that your kingdom will come—that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven. Give us the food we need for today. Forgive our sins, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us. Don’t let us be tempted, but save us from the Evil One.”
New American Standard Bible
Pray, then, in this way: “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”]
New International Version
This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Go Deeper
- Exploring the Hope of Jesus in the Book of Revelation Collection
- Inspiring Faith in Your Children and Grandchildren – Package Offer
- Women of Faith Book Collection
- https://www.gotquestions.org/purpose-of-prayer.html ↑
- I like to use different versions because it makes the words just enough different that I have to pay attention. This also helps me to see the prayer in a fresh way, finding meaning I may have overlooked before. However, a word of warning. If you come up with “new insight” as a result of your study, be a Berean (Acts 17:11), and make sure your fresh insight is in line with the rest of Scripture! ↑
- Here are two I found when I tried: List Of 650 Prayers In The Bible – Believers Portal; All the Prayers of the Bible. (I’m not endorsing these sites, just giving you an idea of a resource available.) ↑
- https://allsouls.com/the_catechism/, emphasis theirs. ↑
- This final, italicized phrase is not found in the earliest manuscripts, so many translations omit it. Albert Mohler says, “As a result of studying ancient manuscripts, scholars now believe with some certainty that these words were probably a later addition to the Lord’s Prayer. Since the Lord’s Prayer seems to end rather abruptly, Christians in the early church added a doxology to the end of the prayer so as to give God the final word of praise in corporate worship settings.” [Quoted in W. Philip Keller, A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer (Moody Publishers, 1976), p. 150.]
Then where did these words come from? One possible source is the prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.”
So, while this was most likely not part of the “original” prayer, you have good biblical evidence to exalt your Heavenly Father by saying and praying these words. ↑
