Prayer is a word used by almost everyone in this country. When a person has suffered a tragedy or sickness we always say you are in our prayers. It is important to know more about prayer than just the word. We need a time each day to pray and communicate with God as well as mini prayers throughout our day to seek help with the happenings of our day. Most of us have been taught to say a blessing before we eat our meals and most have been taught to say our prayers before we go to bed. Prayer is talking to God. Prayer is something even his disciples knew was important. Our devotion verse this morning finds one of the disciples inquiring of God about the importance of prayer. (Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”) The disciple heard the way that Jesus prayed and wanted to pray like him. How many times have you heard someone pray publicly and wished you could pray like they prayed? Jesus gave us what is called the LORD’S PRAYER, but, it is actually OUR PRAYER. Jesus gave this prayer to us. (Luke 11:2-4 And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as it is in heaven, son in earth. 3. Give us day by day our daily bread. 4. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.) You see, simply knowing about prayer is not enough; we have to know how to pray…to talk and listen to God….as individuals who are in an intimate, dynamic personal relationship with the God to Whom we pray. Although there are principles of prayer that apply to everyone, we are individuals and God will lead each of us to pray and communicate with Him in uniquely personal ways. Take time out of your day to pray and then take time to listen. Read your Bible daily. You will develop a strong line of communication between you and God when you do. Pastor Don [image: image.png]