The Right…& Wrong Way to Pray {Matthew 6}

Jesus modeled and talked a lot about prayer in the Gospels. In the Gospel of Matthew, we see that there is a right and wrong way to pray. #Biblestudy #Matthew #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

 

Matthew 6 says,

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 

So if this is the wrong way to pray…what is the right way?

We are told in Matthew 6, it is our prayers in secret, God honors.

I have read of saints who spent hours in prayer and I think –I will never be able to pray like that.  My life is so full.  So I find it comforting that when the disciples asked Jesus in Luke 11 how to pray, Jesus did not answer with a long winded 10 page discourse.

He answered with the Lord’s Prayer.

Is the prayer that Jesus prayed, one that we are to memorize and pray over and over daily?

In Matthew 6, Jesus said to not use meaningless repetitions in prayer.  But rather, we are to pray “in this way.”

The Lord’s Prayer is an example, model and pattern for our prayer lives.

In the video below I go line by line through the Lord’s Prayer (this video was recorded a few years ago when we went through the Lord’s Prayer from the book of Luke). I explain how to apply each line to our lives.

(If you do not see this video – click here to view it)

Isn’t it amazing to think that when we follow Jesus’ model for prayer, sentence by sentence, we have included every element of prayer!  That’s it – this is how we should pray!

So let’s get to it friends!  Talk to your Father…He’s waiting.

Walk with the King,

Courtney

**It’s Fellowship Friday**

It’s YOUR turn.  Share one thing you learned in your quiet time this week!

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18 Comments

  1. I just KNOW God is going to use you and your words to minister to the women at the conference this weekend! I will definitely pray for you!
    I love the chapters we read in Matthew this week. I got so much out of it! One thing that has helped me with prayer is writing my prayers. I process my thoughts so much better when I write, and it helps me stay focused when I’m praying.

    Have a great weekend! 🙂
    Cooking Up Faith
    http://www.cookingupfaith.org

  2. I know that it is a touchy subject (believe me I know) but when speaking of right and wrong ways to pray, I cannot help but think of 1Corinthians 11:2-16 which speaks of the importance of a woman covering her hand while praying or prophesying. It is not by any means a commandment, but I believe there is power in it. It even speaks of doing it because of the Angels, as If they take notice somehow. It is interesting…

    1. Im curious about that, are we to cover our head while we pray? I asked around they say our hair is enough to do so.

  3. I don’t usually comment but I just wanted to let you know that I think you are amazing. I appreciate that God has given you the gift to break things down and make me see different angles and learn effective ways to build a stronger relationship with our Father in Heaven. You are a blessing. Thank you and good luck with your conferences. You will do amazing.
    God bless.

  4. Praying you have an amazing and blessed weekend!!! I have a question ~ maybe, I missed it but my question is about praying the same things every day. For instance, praying for my family’s health and safety. I pray these daily. I had someone mention to me that this is wrong and I only need to ask God once and have faith that it will be done. I thought we are told to pray without ceasing…………I am a little confused. Thank you to anyone that will address this for me.

    1. I’ve read where after you ask God then from that time forward you thank God for what He is doing concerning this. Example: please let my son be the spiritual leader of his family; thank You for what you are doing in Joshua’s life, I may not see the results but I know you are working in this area of his life. I like this idea, seems to change my feeling like a whiney child begging for something every day.

    2. I think it’s natural that our deepest desires and concerns, particularly for loved ones, might be on our hearts every time we talk to God. If I have asked for His intervention already, maybe many times 😉 in addition to the what Sandy mentioned above about thanking God and trusting Him, I may also take it as an opportunity to express my own deepest emotions, and ask the Holy Spirit to minister to me with faith, hope & peace that He has it all in hand. What else is a Father for, but casting all our anxieties on Him! 🙂

  5. Courtney, that video was so good! It has reminded me of how I need to pray and it’s such a simple “outline” or example for us! What an intimate and living God we have to show us how through His very Son! Now I can’t wait to talk more about this to my little kids:)
    I wish I could attend a conference like this to hear you speak, so maybe you will come to Louisville, Nashville, or St. Louis for one??! 🙂 You are gifted and have nothing to worry about! Your heart always shines when you speak on your videos so I know God will help you today, as well!! Enjoy your day.
    Blessings from a long-time reader,
    Leslie

  6. Thank you so much Courtney for encouraging us in prayer. I’ve had a lil set back…..I’ve had some changes in my life recently. I’ve had disheartening things happen and my trust has been shaken a little. Person who was a major part in my families life was asking us to do something that wentbeyond what we believe. And coming from this person whom we’ve trusted for along tim, through us for a loop. I’ve had. Hard time forgiving this person an then also trusting people. But listening to your video reminded me of what I need to do. This was so comforting and refreshing. I love you Courtney you have given me a lot so good counsel and wisdom. I’ve been following you for the past I don’t know 7-8 years and juts have learned, gleaned, been encouraged by you. Thank you for your transparency and just for leading us to the cross. I know you will not lead us astray, it’s safe here. Thank you for your faithfulness to God in this ministry. I am praying for your conference just let God us you, and I know He will and is already doing so. Lord I lift up Courtney give her the exact words to speak to those women, may you multiply her efforts, bring to her remember acne those things she needs. Fill in the gaps where needed, pray for grace and mercy where needed. Pray for lives to be changed at that conference bless all the women their speakers, attendees, and behind the scenes. Bless the whole event in Jesus name Amen!!
    Again, thank you for al you do!!
    Blessings, Adrienne
    @www.reina4jesus.blogspot.com

  7. Que Deus te abençoe nesse fim de semana, com a conferência. Que sejas usada por Deus para abençoar aquelas mulheres. Obrigada por doar parte do seu tempo e manter esse estudo.
    Rossandra, João Pessoa, Brasil.

  8. Whenever I need to pray I always start with the Lord’s Prayer. It is the most perfect prayer there is, and everything I need to say is in there. I pray this in the shower, in the car on the way to and from work, when I wake up and when I go to bed. It helps me to stay close to our heavenly Father. It also helps me to remember to stay vigilant and in touch with Him.

  9. Courtney,
    Thank you for sharing this. It is exactly what I needed! You have an amazing blessing and I know God has you in his hands. You will do fantastically minstering tomorrow! I am very proud of you, my sister in Christ.

    Love and Blessings,
    Natalie

  10. I pray for the women that God places at this conference, that they have open hearts and open minds to hear what God is speaking through you. God bless you and your wonderful works.

  11. I took two of your workshops and enjoyed them a lot! Today I put together a basket that holds everything I need for my quiet time, per one of your suggestions:) Thank you for taking the time to prepare and teach the workshops. I learned a lot and was blessed by both!

  12. Hi Courtney! I just wanted to THANK YOU so much for coming to Hearts at Home! Before I signed up for my conference workshops, I asked God to help lead me in my choices. I ended up taking both of your classes. The Bible study class was refreshing and gave me a new resource for studying. I’d never heard of using a color coding system before, so I am excited to try studying this way! I also took your Radical Living class and have thought several times about the Titus woman. Titus doesn’t get as much “publicity” as the Proverbs 31 woman, but she is such a role model as well. Thank you so much for your testimony and for being obedient to what God has asked you to do. You were an encouraging and engaging speaker and I am so thankful to have crossed paths with you. I look forward to learning! =)

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