They desired that same intimacy, joy, and power that Jesus modeled in his life of prayer. They asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 22:1). Jesus gave a short course on prayer called by many The Lord’s Prayer. (Luke 11; Matthew 6:1-15) We could refer to it as A Dummies Guide to Prayer. Not to use the term disparagingly, but I have followed this guide to prayer most of my life and prayer has brought me through many rough seas.

JESUS’ MODEL OF PRAYER will empower your prayer and life. Jesus’ very life was a life of prayer. Jesus would often spend all night on the Mount of Olives in prayer. When morning broke he would go to a synagogue or the temple to teach the Word or minister to the needy with power. When was the last time that you spent a night or day alone with God in prayer? Prayer must be a priority not an addendum to our agenda.

I read recently about the great move of God in Africa. Nigeria has some of the most powerful and fastest growing churches in the world. What is their secret? None really, except that they know how to really pray.

As a young boy I had a remarkable Sunday School teacher, Sister Hazel Mathias. Sister Mathias had undergone throat surgery and spoke in a quite, raspy voice. But she was the only teacher that I remember who could keep the attention of our class of 15 – 20 rowdy boys. She loved to have us memorize scripture. Her favorite seemed to be The Lord’s Prayer. Memorization was difficult for me but I managed to memorize The Lord’s Prayer and the principles and power of praying that prayer has enriched my life in countless ways.

The Lord’s Prayer Found in Matthew 6:9-15 is not a prayer to be simply prayed by rote or ritual. It is a general outline of what to pray for and how to pray. In the rest of the context of Matthew 6 and Luke 11 Jesus taught us “Dummies” other powerful principles of effective prayer. Space prohibits a discourse on the Lord’s Prayer but there are seven steps, or prayer headings, that if each were prayed for even five minutes a day, 35 minutes a day would have been spent in prayer.

PRAYER IS RELATIONSHIP above all else. The first thing that Jesus taught us to pray is “Our Father, who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:4). Jesus is speaking of an intimate relationship with our loving and caring Father. When communicating on a CB radio or the computer one needs to know the recipients “handle” or “address”. How do you address God? Do you know Him as your Heavenly Father? The Word of God assures us, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn!” (John 1:12-13 NLT)

My wife and I will soon celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. The key to any marriage is communication and relationship. We have had our ups and downs and trials like most couples. But we are committed to one another. For prayer to be powerful we must be totally committed to Jesus Christ in relationship and trust. (John 15:9-16)

After being together so long, my wife and I sometimes find ourselves saying the same thing at the same time and thinking alike on most matters. Many times we don’t have to even say anything to one another, just being together communicates a lot. Being human, I will occasionally speak unkindly or offend or hurt my wife. But I don’t have any peace until we clear the air and know that there is nothing between us. Jesus taught us to pray, “And forgive us our sins just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us” (Matthew 6:12). Unforgiveness will shutdown your prayers like nothing else.

Sin is like a terrible virus that can wipe out your spiritual computer’s hard drive and shut you down completely. David realized this. He exclaimed, “If I regard iniquity in my heart God will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). “Scan” your heart and purge out all iniquity. David prayed, “Create I me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

For a happy and prosperous New Year, follow Jesus in His school of prayer.