During my years of developing a relationship with the Lord, I have often found it very difficult to pray. I’ve always had time to pray.  But often I’ve failed to know what to pray. Much of the church world teaches us to pray for things that please the flesh – the carnal nature. The scriptures teach us to shun those things. Some have taught that “hours” of daily prayer is what we need. Sometimes that may be true. But most often for me, it’s not hours in formal prayer but living my prayers. I am benefited by being continually aware of His presence, and His concern, and His working in my life. Live in his presence. Expect His help. Be used by Him.

Be encouraged to let the Lord’s Prayer be a guiding structure for your times of prayer. I have been blessed by taking one thought at a time from His model prayer, and expressing it in my own words – expanding on the thought in my own words. What started out as a 3 or 4 minute prayer, as I allowed the Spirit to lead, sometimes became a more lengthy time of prayer, praise, and worship. I have also found that when words begin to fail, if I silently continue in His presence my heart opens wide to Him. Try expressing The Lord’s Prayer in your own words as I have, and then tarry in His presence!

Our Father in heaven,

My heavenly Father; my God; my Creator; He who loves me and adopted me into His family; yes, even my Daddy.

Hallowed be Your name.

Sacred; revered; holy; and to be esteemed, honored and worshipped; for Your name – that which points to You and describes You is above all names in heaven or on earth.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Come to be King of my life; rule me. I submit to Your will, here and now. I desire Your will for my family; my church; my community; and yes, I desire your will be done on earth. Without question from me, rule.

Give us this day our daily bread.

With confidence I again look to You, the source from which my daily needs – physical, spiritual, and emotional – are met.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

My sins against you, Father, have been many and grievous. But because of Your great love and mercy, it’s with confidence, I can and do ask for forgiveness. And because a son is like his father I choose to be like You, by forgiving those who have sinned against me.

And do not lead us into temptation,

Even though my spirit is willing, I know my flesh is weak. Therefore, I thank you Father for going before me to remove from my path those enticements which stir the lust of my flesh, the lust of my eyes, and my pride of life.

But deliver us from the evil one.

I know I have an adversary – the evil one. But I know You, loving Father, will not leave me or forsake me. For Your glory and for my good, grant me confidence in Your deliverance from all the deceit and craftiness of Satan.

For Yours is the kingdom

Yes Father, You are the rightful King, for You are the only creator. All heaven and all earth – all of this creation and even all that might ever be – is subject to you. There is no other like You.

And the power

All power belongs to You. You, and You only, have the power to sustain this great creation and to fulfill Your glorious purpose.

And the glory

All creation is humbled in Your presence. You are an awesome God and creator and sustainer, and because of Your great goodness You deserve all glory.

Forever.

You are the beginning and the end, Father. “Forever” is so much more than I can comprehend. But I know that “forever” is safe in Your hands.

Amen.

So be it for today!