Rob Martin

Starting this new year off I’ve decided to blog about the basics. Why the basics? Because the basics is where it originated. It’s where we learn and see how to go about something. You can read more about getting back to the basics at Back to Basics: Worship.

Prayer

I’ll try to keep this short and simple but I just love talking about pray. It is one of the subject that I can talk for a good long time about because it is so important to me. When people think prayer automatically the thought is that its super complicated or its my magic lamp I rub when I want something to go my way. Can I tell you that prayer is neither of those!

The first thing I want you to know about prayer is that it is not complicated! In fact it says in Matthew 6 “And when you pray, don’t be like those people that don’t know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing. Don’t pray like that. They think that God will hear them because of the many things they say. Don’t be like those people. Your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.” It doesn’t matter what you say, how you say it, or how many words you say. Just like I said last week as it says in 1 Samuel “that man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart.”

The second thing I want you to get about prayer is that it’s a two-way street. God is not your magic genie that grants you your wishes when ever you please. I can’t stand when people come and say “I’ve tried that prayer thing and it didn’t work.”  It makes me want to slap them upside the head. Then I tell them try that prayer thing and instead of going on and on about your problem shut up for 5 minutes and listen to God. Can I tell you that God knows your problem, you don’t have to remind Him. Prayer is a two-way street which means you talk to Him and He talks to you. Most of my prayer time I spend just listening to God. I know He knows my problems and my concerns. Instead of telling him about them, I want to know how to fix them, and the only way I can do that is by hearing His voice.

So here is an easy way, guide to help you pray if you are new. Jesus outlines it for us in the book of Luke when he is teaching the disciples how to pray. First; Praise Him. You wouldn’t walk up to President Obama, or any other powerful man and start demanding things. Let the same thing be with God. Honor Him and praise Him and thank Him for all the good things He’s done for you. Secondly; Recognize that you are a sinner and you need the grace of God. Repent of anything that would be hindering you of having a relationship with God. Thirdly; Ask. This is where you can lay it all out. Ask Him for help in every situation you are going through. Fourthly; Yourself and others. Don’t just ask for yourself, pray for others too.

Praise

Recognize

Ask

Yourself and others