If Jesus felt the need to pray to the Father, surely we need God’s help in our own lives. God knows our needs even before we ask, but still He wants us to ask (Matt. 6:8); and Jesus tells us “that men always ought to pray” (Luke 18:1). James wrote that the fervent prayer of a righteous man does much good (James 5:16).
A prayer does not need to be long nor eloquent to be pleasing to God. It is to simply come from our heart as we humbly talk to our God and Creator. It was the simple and sincere prayer of the publican that was accepted by God, not the self-praising prayer of the Pharisee (Luke 18:10-14).
Prayer is to be directed to God the Father, as Jesus illustrated in teaching His apostles to pray (Matt. 6:9), and in the name of Jesus (John 14:13). Sometimes we get “stage fright” when asked to pray in public. But it helps to know that God is our “audience” and not those around us.
“Father, help us all to pray often with sincere hearts for we need Your help every moment of the day. In Jesus name, amen.”
John K. Wills
Owingsville church of Christ
Owingsville, KY