SIMPLY PRAY
Daphne Powell
Today’s Scripture: “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Matthew 6:7, ESV
Theme: Pray like you talk. Be sincere; don’t put on a show.
PRAYER
Praying to God is talking to Him. He is our Father, and He wants to hear about our day, our nights, our victories, and our sorrows. God doesn’t need fancy words or scripted language; He wants us to be true to ourselves.
PRAY FOR OTHERS
How do we pray for others when we aren’t sure how to pray for ourselves? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Thank God for others; present their problems, weaknesses, failures, and tell God that we don’t know what to pray. He will help us as we talk with Him. It doesn’t have to be perfect. We pray for others with an open heart right when they ask us or whenever we start to worry about them. Pray for others: family, friends, and even strangers who intersect your life. God wants us to love others as much as we love ourselves. Through prayer, we not only pray for their needs, but ask for the Lord to walk with and comfort our neighbor.
PRAY WITH OTHERS
There is power in prayer. There is power in praying with others. The Lord hears every voice. When you need strength, call on God with your others. “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19, ESV). Life Groups are a great place to come together in prayer. There, we ask the Lord for blessings, we share praises, burdens, and our testimonies of what God has done.
PRAY FOR HIS WILL
When we pray, we usually ask for something in our lives. But do we remember to pray and surrender to His will? Do we pray to follow Him no matter what that looks like? He knows our heart and He knows what is best for us. We need to be willing to be honest with the Lord, talk to Him, and listen for His direction during our quiet time.
Make It Personal: Praying is intentional. Pray every day. Talk to God about the big and little things happening in your life. He knows them all. He just wants to hear your needs from you directly. He is your Father, and He loves you.
Pray: Dear Lord, we come to You in prayer, to talk to You, to worship You, and to do Your will. We call you “Father” and know that in You, we will find peace. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Read: John 14:13; Hebrews 4:16; Luke 11:5-9; Matthew 18:20
Weekly Memory Verse: “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 (ESV)