And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. For truly I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet. And when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. But when you pray, use not vain repetitions as the hypocrites, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, be not like unto them, for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask him. Therefore, after this manner you shall pray, saying:
Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth, as it is done in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them who trespass against us. And suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses who trespass against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses. (Matthew 6:5-15)
Reciting the Lord's prayer is good provided that we mean it. Sincerity matters to God. Our prayers do not benefit us unless we say them with real intent. We may as well have not prayed at all if we do so without sincerity or do so grudgingly.
Watch, therefore, and pray always, and keep my commandments, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man when he shall come, clothed in the glory of his Father. (Luke 21:29-36)
Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud, and he shall hear my voice. (Psalms 55:17)
Faithful obedience to Christ's commandments requires prayer. We should be praying to God daily with a sincere petition to not be led into temptation but be delivered from all evil and to not be tempted beyond our capacity to bear.
In the words of a man who has seen Christ in our day:
Despite Christ teaching us how to pray, there is no magic formula for communicating with God. No list of what is to be said or repeated. No ineffective repetitions for He “gets it” even before we speak.
Prayer is a formal way of showing God respect, devotion and obedience and companionship. God will use the man or woman of prayer as a means of accomplishing a great deal more than they imagine. Pray asking simply. It is not necessary to be elaborate or long-winded. State clearly what you believe you need. Accept what then comes in His answer.
Trust him to know more than you. Trust He can give you what you need, even if you hadn't even thought about it as a need. Talk to him like you are addressing your most intimate friend with nothing to hide. Tell him about your regrets, hopes, frustrations, concerns, fears, and confusion.
Before long you will discover that whatever you care about, God cares about too. He can give you perspective that changes everything. Prayer should not recognize the distance between us and God but should become the way we close that distance.
