When You Pray Matthew 6:5

5"And when you pray,"


Five times Jesus uses the phrase 5"And when you pray" to teach His disciples about the practice and privilege of prayer. Jesus did not command us to pray in this statement; He is not telling us that we ought to pray. He is going to give us instructions as to how to pray.

The issue here is not "will we pray" but rather "when we pray." There is never any thought given to the possibility that a Child of God or a follower of Christ would NOT pray. Praying is a part of our spiritual existence. It is as important to our spiritual strength as breathing, eating or drinking is to our physical strength.

It is inconceivable that we would ever meet someone and fall in love with that person and then never speak to them or have any communication with them. That relationship would die quicker than it started. Our spiritual lives are no different. God desires a relationship with us. That relationship involves us listening and learning from His Word and then we are to pray for strength and guidance to walk in the Light that Jesus has come to give to us.

Jesus expects His children to pray. Period. Write it down big and bold, prayer is an essential part of a Child of God's existence. It is unnatural for a Child of God not to pray just as it would be for a baby not to cry. Jesus does not tell us, "If you pray do not be like the hypocrites." He says, "When you pray do not be like the hypocrites."

Is prayer a priority in your life? Do you talk to God on a number of occasions during the day? Do you ask Him for guidance and strength and peace and comfort? Do you remember to pray for those you love and those around you that need the touch of God's hand in and on their lives?

There is plenty to pray about! You are making decisions, one after the other and you need help making the right decisions. Jesus understood that and that is why He is telling us "how we ought to pray" WHEN we pray. May your prayer time become personal and intimate with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and may He bless you as you look to Him moment by moment, in every decision you make, every day of your life!