by Guest Contributor, James Ledbetter
1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
It is unfortunate that most of us have learned to pray by listening to others pray in public, and it is too rarely understood that there is a big difference between public prayer and effective private prayer. By definition, few if any of us have ever heard a real prayer warrior pray privately because private prayer is exactly that, something done in private. In this section, the difference between public prayer and private prayer becomes very important. In public prayer, this section can be used for praying in general terms and can include things such as failures of the whole church and universal human sinfulness. But, in private prayer, this section should be very detailed. Talk to God about specific events; name names; give specific locations; spell out exactly what your sin was; offer no excuses because sin is sin and all of it is an abomination to God. This is also the time to talk to God about any ill-will you hold toward others and anyone you have not yet forgiven for wrongs done to you. Ask for power and wisdom with which to forgive them completely and genuinely. James 2:12-13 tells us, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. In this section, ask for wisdom, guidance, and strength in the cosmic battle against Satan and his minions. We are in spiritual warfare with the unseen forces of evil, and we need to stay constantly in touch with our Commander at headquarters. Ephesians 6:10-12 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ask for God’s protection against the power of Satan.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever, Amen. This line was not actually included by the Lord in His model prayer, but it has been added by many generations of Christians and suggests that we should end our prayers with thanksgiving and praise. I believe that this advice from so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who lived in years gone by is very good and appropriate.
Give thanks for God’s countless blessings. Thank Him for answered prayers. Thank Him for His perfect, unconditional love. Praise Him for who He is and what He has done for us. Focus on Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Express eagerness for His perfect kingdom yet to come. Meditate on the promised joy of living all eternity with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth in the complete absence of sin and with creation returned to the perfect way in which God created it before mankind fell into sin.
I like to end my prayers by meditating on some passage of Scripture dealing with thanksgiving and praise. One of my favorites is Psalm 113:3, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Sometimes I end my prayers by sitting and imagining life in eternity where I myself will be freed from sin and where everyone we know, everyone we encounter, everyone with whom we interact will be constantly praising and worshipping God in everything they do and say. I try to sense the overwhelming beauty of such a life. I’m confident that I fail even to begin to imagine what God has in store for us, but the Bible tells me to look forward to that day and the Lord’s return. As you study the Scriptures, make your own list of favorite passages with which to conclude your prayers. We can never go wrong reciting God’s words back to Him. He, of course, knows them already, but He wants to hear that we know them, love them, respect them, and strive to live our lives according to them.
Finally, I offer one last bit of advice. Pray every day. Pray without ceasing as you go about your daily life. Make prayer a habit. Strive to make it something that you don’t feel you can live without - - because you can’t, not if you’re talking about really living - - living the way God wills. And, isn’t that the life you really want?
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James Ledbetter is the Associate Editor of Global Missions EJOURNAL. For more information visit the website... www.globalmissionsnetwork.info
