Praying Like Jesus
“Praying Like Jesus”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
May 19, 2019
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. - Luke 11:2 (NKJV)
In Luke 11:2 NKJV, the disciples asked Jesus to teach him how to pray. We have brought more attention to the “say” part than the “when” part: it's not in what we say when we pray, but that we pray. There's power when we pray.
Pray Expectantly: As Jesus was getting baptized, he was praying, and then the heavens opened and the father spoke (Luke 3:21, NKJV). When we pray, we will sense heaven’s affirmation, the Holy Spirit, and the Father’s affirmation when we are doing what is right. When we pray, we can expect the heaven’s to open, the holy spirit to come down, and the voice of God to speak.
Pray Regularly: In Luke 5:16, it says that Jesus withdrew often to pray. He was withdrawing often because he had an expectation that he was going to encounter an open heaven and that the father was going to speak. Jesus was dependent on prayer. When we start to encounter God in prayer and hear his voice, we become dependent on having a regular time of prayer.
Wait for Clarity: Jesus prayed expectantly, regularly, and he waited until he had clarity. Clarity is a necessity before you make relational, financial or career moves. If you do not have clarity, I would encourage you to wait on the Lord (Isaiah 40:27-31, NIV). Waiting for clarity is a necessity; God is not the author of confusion.
When you can't get away, pray anyway: Do you feel comfortable praying around your friends? In Luke 9 Jesus prayed and his disciples heard him. Jesus felt completely comfortable praying around his disciples. If you're not comfortable praying around your current friends, maybe consider making some new friends who you can pray with.
We Will Be Changed. In Luke 9, Jesus invited James, Peter, and John to a mountain to pray. On the Mountain of Transfiguration, they started to witness this supernatural event where the glory of God showed up, and they saw Jesus talking with Elijah and Moses. When the disciples saw this, Peter asked if they should build tabernacles for the three, and a voice came from heaven saying, “This is my son; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). We are living in a time when God is pouring out his spirit and his glory on the earth. If we will just be still long enough in prayer, if we will listen to what Jesus is saying, we will be changed.
There's a place that you'll get to in prayer where you will experience the heavens opening and the father speaking. There's a place that you'll get to in prayer where you've just gotta have that time with God. There's a place that you'll get to in prayer where the glory of God shows up and you're transformed.
There are times when prayer will change your circumstances, and there are times when prayer will change you. God is calling us to a place in prayer where he changes us and transforms us into who he's called us to be.
Discussion/Reflection Questions:
Think of a time when you heard God speak or saw him move in response to your prayer.
What do you need to wait for clarity from God on in your life right now?
What relationships do you have where you feel comfortable or encouraged to pray?
How can you incorporate prayer into your life as a more regular part of your schedule this week?
Spend some time in quiet, listening for God, praising and worshipping him, and expect him to encounter you and transform you.