Pray Like Jesus

It has been said that the one of the greatest gifts to mankind, second to salvation, is prayer. Prayer is our connection to Heaven - our "mainline" to Jesus. It reminds me of that old gospel hymnal that says, "I got Jesus on the mainline, tell Him what you want." Although many have the notion that prayer is like a magic lamp, or genie in the bottle, true believers understand that prayer is so much more than asking God for things.

Prayer is how we communicate with God. It is part of our worship and consecration. In prayer we offer thanksgiving, we offer supplication, we talk to God, and we hear from God. Prayer is powerful. It is essential. Someone once said, "Nothing happens but in answer to prayer."

When I think of prayer, I am reminded of the image of my father (my earthly father). Growing up in a God-fearing home, my parents did their best to raise my siblings and I to be people who passionately loved the Lord, and who loved spending time in His presence. I remember as a child, my dad used to leave very early in the morning to get to work. At one point, he had more than one job to provide for our family. But no matter how early he would leave, before the sun would rise, he could be found in our living room in the early hours of the morning, kneeling before his sofa chair, seeking the face of God. My father was, and still is, a man of prayer. I'm grateful for that example and for those memories, because it showed me the importance of prayer.

The older I get, the more I long for the presence of God. That is not to say, that I didn't long for God's presence before; it is simply to say, that as I have grown in the Lord, and experienced His mercy, grace and power, I cannot help but want to draw closer to Him. Prayer is more than just a repetitious cycle of worshipful sayings; it is more than just asking God for the things we want, or need; it is more than a task on the daily to-do list for sincere Christians. Prayer is an opportunity. It is an appointment and an audience with the Creator of the universe and the lover of my soul.

As we continue into the new year of 2025, I have made the personal resolution to take my prayer life to the next level. This means praying with purpose. Having intentional conversations with God and listening for His voice. I don't want to just talk to God - I want to know His voice. I want to hear what He has to say to me. I want spend time in His presence and to pray His will to be done in my life - in my family. I want my own children to have the same picture in their memory banks one day, of a father who loved God and prioritized time spent in prayer.

I encourage and challenge you to do the same. No matter how consistent you already are about prayer, take it to the next level. Make it more than a task, or daily "to-do" item. Go deeper in Christ - seek Him even greater than you have before. Listen for the prompting voice of the Holy Spirit and follow God's leading in your prayer journey. See where God wants to take you and get ready for the journey!

As I conclude this week's post, I want to share with you the first devotional of this week's daily devotions in 21 Days: Releasing the Power of God Over Your Life. This week's devotions focus completely on the prayers of Jesus and what we learn from how Jesus prayed in scripture.

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"Praying Like Jesus - Part 1"

Matthew 6:10 - "“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

One of the greatest treasures that we have in Christ Jesus is that He lived His life as the ultimate example to the believers. Everything He expects from us, He Himself exemplified. Take for example, prayer.

Jesus prayed at least ten different times throughout scripture, with ten different themes in each of His prayers. Today, we will focus on His most famous prayer, that most of us can quote from memory. When Jesus prayed this prayer, he did two important things: 1) He acknowledged who God is at the beginning of His prayer; 2) He prayed the Kingdom of God to come, and God’s will be done.

Take a few moments to reflect on these questions:

• Why do you think Jesus told us that He already knows our needs before we ask Him?

• Why did Jesus even pray? After all, He was God.

• What does “Your Kingdom come” mean?

When most of us pray, we might say a few words of thanksgiving, but then we quickly jump into our requests and petitions. Especially on a fast, where we are usually seeking something. Here’s the reality – God already knows what you need (Matthew 6:8). We don’t need to beg God for our needs – instead we must acknowledge Him for who He is and pray for His Kingdom and His will to be done here on earth.

Practical Steps:

1. Consider how you currently pray and then restructure your prayers if necessary.

2. Your prayers should always start with thanksgiving and acknowledging God’s power.

3. Begin to pray today, and for the rest of this fast, for God’s will to be done specifically. Notice how your perspective about what God wants to do in your life will change drastically.

Prayer Focus: Focus today’s prayer on praying for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done. This means praying for your church, for your leaders, for your pastor. Pray that God’s Kingdom moves forward against the powers of Darkness that are trying to hinder God’s Church. Also pray that God’s will be accomplished in your life. Above all of our wants and needs, the greatest thing we should desire is the will of God to be completed in our lives!

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Let today be the start, or rebirth, of your passionate prayer life. Consistent, daily prayer is part of the will of God for your life!

All the best,

Gabe Gonzalez