How to Pray

Genesis 16:1-18:15

Matthew 6:1-24

Psalm 7:1-17

Proverbs 2:1-5

Today I felt the pressing need to pray...because I felt the pressing feelings of stress, fear, and insecurity.

Sometimes I expect too much of myself and today was one of those days...trying to figure everything out on my own.

But I heard the quiet call to pray and immediately before I uttered a word I felt the calm and comfort: "Yes, I only need to pray."

I didn't need to pray to ask God to take care of everything I was worried about. I didn't need to pray to solve all my problems in a snap.

No, I needed to pray "Lord, help me remember You already take care of me and You are leading me and I don't need to worry."

It doesn't always work to tell myself to not worry, but I think God does love it when I ask Him to help me trust Him. Because in that I am trusting Him.

And while I babble on about "how to pray" I know I am hardly wise, I am hardly understanding, I am hardly the voice to listen to. We only need to listen to Jesus's voice.

"This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one."

Tomorrow:

Genesis 18:16-19:38

Matthew 6:25-7:14

Psalm 8:1-9

Proverbs 2:6-15