Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

As we step into a new year and a new season as a church there is nothing more important that we could do than seek God through prayer. If prayer is a habit that you have struggled to start or stick with, here is a simple place to begin.

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the most important teaching on prayer in scripture. He not only instructs us on HOW to pray (verses 5-8) but also on WHAT to pray (verses 9-13). The model of prayer that Jesus provides is traditionally referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” and provides a simple road map that can guide us in our own personal times of prayer.

One way to practice and approach prayer is by using the Simple acronym – P.R.A.Y.

P – Praise

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

The word “hallowed” is not a word we use often, but it simply means to be greatly revered or honored. Jesus is saying, “Your name, God deserves to be praised.” When we praise God, we are not only honoring Him, but we are also reminding ourselves of who He is and who we are in comparison to Him.

R – Repent

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

The good news of the Gospel is that through Jesus, God offers us complete forgiveness. Sin has broken our relationship with our Heavenly Father, but because of His love for us, God made a way through His Son to restore our relationship. It is through our belief and confession that we experience His forgiveness and are made whole. However, it is important to remember that forgiveness is not just a gift we receive. It is also a gift we give.

A – Ask

“Give us today our daily bread... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

God wants you to bring your struggles, concerns, worries, and needs to Him. In His presence, we find peace, and He wants you to experience His rest and comfort. Ask and trust that God cares for you.

Y – Yield

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

Jesus modeled for us how to bring our requests to the Father, but He also taught us that when God’s answer is not the answer we want, we should yield to the Father’s will. Our will is naturally selfish, and we must guard our minds and hearts against believing that what we ask for is better than what God knows we need. Jesus rightly knew that God’s will was ultimately the best thing we could ever experience. So above all else, He taught us to pray for God’s desire above our own.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflections:

• What do you want to give praise to God for?
  
• What do you want to ask forgiveness for, and who do you need to forgive?
  
• What are you asking God to provide?
  
• What things or desires do you need to yield to God?
• Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to see the understanding of prayer in 2024.  Guide me in the discipline of daily prayer and meeting with you.  In Jesus name, amen.

Family Devo: Matthew 6:9-13

By: Carrie Hobson

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

This passage is the Lord’s Prayer. What is God telling us to do in this passage? 

Heart

Our prayers are how we talk to God. How do you think God views our prayers?

Hands

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us a blueprint of how to come to You in prayer. Guide us in prayer when we come to You.  In Jesus name, amen.