WAYS TO PRAY

There are many different ways to approach prayer. What’s important is to find one that fits the way you operate. Sometimes it also helps to change your prayer model to give your daily prayer time a fresh boost.  In addition to The Lord’s Prayer, we are including the Five Finger Prayer this month.

The Lord’s Prayer

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He gave them a simple 6 step pattern to follow, known as the “Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus didn’t intend for us to just pray the same words he spoke in Matthew 6:9, He intended it to be an outline for prayer. Use each verse of the Lord’s Prayer as a guideline to help keep your prayer-time on track.

“Pray, then, in this way:” 

Step 1 “Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” This is the call to praise and worship. Take time to honor the Lord and consider His greatness. Remember His faithfulness to you and be encouraged by His promises.

Step 2 “Thy kingdom come Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”
Align yourself with God’s will, and listen so you can know His desires. Proclaim God’s will over your life, family, church, the lost, etc. Wait and allow the Lord to share His heart and will with you.

Step 3 “Give us this day our daily bread.” Ask God for your needs and the needs of others. Be specific, and ask in faith for anything you know the Lord wants to give you i.e. Ask and I will give you the nations as an inheritance. (See step 2).

Step 4 “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Ask God for forgiveness in any areas of known sin, and speak out forgiveness toward anyone you have not forgiven.

Step 5 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Ask God for the grace to stand firm in the face of temptation and resist the schemes of the enemy. Remembering to look to Jesus for the way of escape.

Step 6 “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” Finish with proclaiming who God is and exalting His name. Take time to thank Him for the answers to come, and to worship Him.

Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a “sweet duty”.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.