How Does Jesus Command Us to Pray?

The Lord's Prayer

Jesus outlines the Lord's Prayer, teaching us to approach God with reverence and a sense of community. This isn’t just about individual needs; it’s about recognizing God’s holiness and our collective reliance on Him.

Pray with Authenticity

Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincerity over showiness. He warns against praying to be seen by others. True prayer comes from the heart—seek private moments with God, where the real conversation happens away from judgment and distraction.

Matthew 6:9-13

“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.’

Matthew 6:5-8

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Persistence in Prayer

Jesus encourages us to be bold and persistent. Through the parable of the persistent widow, He illustrates the power of relentless prayer. Don’t lose heart; keep bringing your concerns to God.

Luke 18:1-8

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge *said; now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Listen and Respond:

Prayer is not a monologue but a dialogue. Jesus invites us to listen. In John 10:27, He says, “My sheep hear my voice.” Engaging with God means being open to His guidance and leading.

As we take these teachings to heart, let’s move forward with boldness in our prayer lives. Embrace the command to pray as Jesus instructed, lighting up the darkness with hope, faith, and the undeniable power of our God. Join in the movement—give, serve, and let your prayer life shine brightly.