NOTES:

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from the evil one.”         

Matthew 6:5-13 (NIV)

Two warnings:

-1. Don’t pray for attention from man. 

-2. Don’t pray for attention from God. 

“Prayer is about presence before it is about anything else. Prayer doesn’t begin with outcomes. Prayer is the free choice to be with the Father, to prefer his company.” -Tyler Staton

How do we start? “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

BOTTOM LINE: Prayer is an invitation to enjoy God’s presence more than it is to requests God’s presents. 

CHALLENGE: Find time to be still.