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Question:
I read the article about prayer, it’s a very good one. I would like, however, to ask if the prayer “Our Father” is enough when we pray, since God knows exactly what each of us needs and, therefore, it is not necessary to list all our requirements while praying, because He knows them before we ask? Do we need to use other prayers, as the Creed, or say to the Lord what we want to happen in our life, using our own words, since the only prayer given directly by Jesus the Messiah is the Lord’s prayer and it includes everything? Of course that only faith in God and a life in obedience to His commandments written on the pages of the Bible brings us what we need. God bless and thank you!
The Lord’s prayer – a model prayer
The Lord’s Prayer is a model prayer that the Lord Jesus left His disciples then and at all times. This model contains the most important parts of a prayer. Under this model we can know how to say other needs while praying and how to pray properly.
Let us not use meaningless repetition
When the Lord Jesus said that our Father knows what we need before we ask Him, He referred not to the fact that it would be wrong to tell Him these needs, but that some pray as pagans and always use the same words, as if God would be very far from us, or does not know anything about our condition and needs. These are the words that the Lord Jesus had said before He gave us the model prayer, that we call prayer “Our Father.” He said:
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for theirmany words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7-8)(NASB)
It is important to learn to pray on the subject and when we present our needs to not say many words that have no meaning. This also refers to the situations when we say common prayers in our families, or church or prayer groups, fellowship, etc. Let us pray on the subject and not use meaningless repetitions as the Gentiles do.
Let us bring all our needs before God in prayer
In the Epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians from that city the following words, which are fully applicable to us and Christians of all times. He said:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, willguard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)(NASB)
Let us pray for all people
In the First Epistle to Timothy, Apostle Paul writes:
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)(NASB)
It is good and acceptable in the sight of God to pray for all people, and especially for those we know, let us discipline ourselves to pray for their salvation, for their everyday problems, for other important needs of theirs . Then, let us pray for the government of the state and leaders of political parties. Now, in Moldova, there is a tense situation, because the politicians who have promised not to adopt the anti-discrimination law on grounds of sexual orientation (that will normalize homosexuality and other sexual perversions, and that will categorize anyone who says that their sexual perversions are abnormal and sinful as one who provokes hate.) It is our duty, of all Christians, to pray now and ask God to awaken the healthy mind of these politicians and of others and not to accept things that are against those who have elected them. It is a great need to pray for all people and especially for their salvation.
Let us pray for those who preach the gospel
In the last chapter of the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians from that city this request:
Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)(NASB)
Gospel preachers have a great need for support in prayer and each of them who understands this will continuously ask the saints to pray for him. On this occasion I want to thank all Christians who pray unceasingly for us to spread the word of God and to glorify the Word wherever the Lord sends us to proclaim it.
Translated by Felicia Rotaru