The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 24 March 2025 — Acceptable Pattern Of Prayer
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TOPIC: Acceptable Pattern Of Prayer
READ: Matthew 6:6-1 (KJV)
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
THE MESSAGE
Prayer is a common practice across religions, with varying rules an regulations. The common factor among all persons who pray is the desire to get their prayers answered. Jesus, in today’s passage, teaches about the principles that will bring answers to prayer.
He first taught that the three things that will disqualify our prayers are: (a) making a public show of prayers (v.6), like the hypocrites in Matthew 6:5 (b) having a mindset that repetition of words or phrases during prayers, like the gentiles, will bring quick answers (v.7)(c) Failure to forgive those who offend us (vv. 14-15). Jesus taught that prayer is based on relationship with the Father, who knows our needs and is committed to providing them.
He enjoins us to praise and hallow God, pray for the expansion of his Kingdom on earth, our daily needs, forgiveness of our sins and protection from all evil. Do you want answers to your prayers? Develop a relationship with God through the born again experience and follow these Jesus teachings on prayer. If you do these, you will certainly have great testimonies in your prayer life.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please teach me to pray to your glory in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
