What the Word Says--Prayer

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

I have so much to learn about praying. I once considered myself to be a "prayer warrior," now I'm not so sure what that even means. So often I was telling God what to do, pouring out requests that made sense in my own human understanding. Now, I open my mouth to pray and I feel like such a child. I feel like I've never prayed before. I don't want to tell Him what to do. I don't want to pray my will. Instead, I want to get His heart and pray His will be done. I don't know what is best. He does. I won't pray for Him to make someone do this or that...rather, I ask Him to allow whatever circumstances into our lives that will show us our deep, deep need of Him. He cannot force us to do anything, He cannot change us. Instead, we must learn to know Him, dig deep into His Word, seek His face. As we come into the Light of His glory, we will desire to change ourselves.

Lord, teach me how to (really) pray...

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, 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 this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 5:5-13 (NKJV)