Learn How to Pray to Jesus

“Dear Jesus, thank you for this day, and…be with us…And…we just pray. Uh…pray for the missionaries. Amen.”

Does this sound kind of typical? It is a self-confession of what my prayers sometimes sound like. All too often, prayer degenerates into a recitation of cliché phrases, and thoughtless requests. Fervent intercession and passionate praying just aren’t the experience of the average Christian. Sometimes, a weak prayer life is simply due to the fact that we don’t know how to pray to Jesus. The best way to learn is by asking Jesus himself. Jesus’ disciples decided to ask him one day. “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Here is what Jesus taught them.

Understanding the Prayer
Luke 11:2-4, along with its parallel passage in Matthew 6:9-13, is commonly known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus was not teaching his disciples a strict liturgy to memorize and repeat, though there is nothing wrong at all with reciting the prayer. Rather, he was providing a pattern for how to pray to Jesus.

Father, hallowed be your name.
The prayer begins with a tender familial appeal to God as our father. Notice that the first request is not a request for health, or for earthly provision. It is a God-focused request, appealing that His name be honored and revered. The prayer is devoted to glorifying God.

Your kingdom come.
The request, “Your kingdom come,” has two meanings. In the first place, the request is that God’s sovereign rule be advanced in people’s hearts. After all, one aspect of Jesus’ kingdom was its internal reign—a kingdom that existed in people’s hearts. Second, it is a request for the ultimate establishment of the kingdom that Jesus inaugurated by His coming. Christians today still look forward to that day.

Give us each day our daily bread.
There is nothing at all wrong with asking Jesus for material provisions. “Daily bread” includes physical needs. Obviously, it does not confine us to praying only for literal bread. The request can be for a steady job, reliable transportation, a shelter over our heads, healing from sickness, a restored friendship, success on a test, or any of the other needs that we face.

Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
Since Jesus is teaching this prayer to his disciples—people who had already accepted his forgiveness of sins—this request has to do with continual confession of sin. We recognize our propensity to sin and the constant temptations we face. Thus, we should ask Jesus: “Please forgive my sin.” The request regarding temptation can be interpreted something like this: “Jesus please keep me away from those circumstances that tempt me to sin.”

There is nothing magical, formulaic, or incredibly difficult about praying to Jesus. You can learn how to pray to Jesus by reading this prayer and by adapting it into your own daily life. He will answer your prayers.

3 Simple Ways to Make Jesus a Part of Your Life

Think about your lifestyle for a minute. How do you dress? What do you do with your time? How do you spend your money? What goals do you have? What do you think about most of the time?

There is no right or wrong answer to those questions, unless you lie. They are simply thought-provoking questions which Christian young people should think about from time to time. God urges believers to exemplify a certain kind of lifestyle. He doesn’t state it explicitly in terms of the kind of clothes that you wear or the type of music you listen to. He states it in terms of conformation vs. transformation. In Romans 12:2, it sounds like this:  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

When someone gives his or her life to Jesus, change immediately takes place. It is a change so powerful, so deep, that the Bible calls you a totally new person after becoming a true Christian (Ephesians 4:24). Becoming a believer affects the way we think (Phil 4:8), the way we talk (Ephesians 4:31-32) and the way we spend our time (Colossians 4:5). Everything changes.

Making Jesus a part of your life is simply a matter of following Him, obeying His Word, and depending upon His grace. No amount of effort, action, or following a set of rules will make you any better. Nonetheless, there are some practical ways that you can make Jesus part of your life.

1—Daily Bible Reading
A friend is someone you talk with, listen to, and have a conversation with. Is God your friend? If so, you ought to be listening to Him. The way to listen to God is through His Word. He wrote this powerful book, the Bible, and you can make Jesus part of your life by reading what He has to say in the Bible. Studying and meditating upon the Bible is one of the most powerful means to becoming more like Jesus in the way that you act, talk, and think.

2—Daily Prayer
Prayer is powerful. Prayer works. God speaks to us through the Bible, and He asks us to speak to Him in prayer. In fact, we are to be praying constantly (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Prayer is the God-given means of making requests, expressing our thanksgiving, and asking for help. Prayer is crucial. Don’t neglect it.

But prayer is deeper than speaking to God, it’s communion with Him–like a conversation. God asks us to be in constant prayer–talking to Him and listening to the things He will speak to us. Talking with God is crucial; both listening and speaking. Train yourselves to be quiet and silence life around you so you can listen to God, and simply wait on Him in His presence.

3—Regular Church Attendance
Church doesn’t make you a better person. Still, church attendance is an important way of life for the believer. By attending a Bible-teaching, God-honoring church, we are benefit from corporate worship, experience fellowship with other believers, and hear teaching from God’s Word.

Jesus is not an optional add-on for the believer’s life. Everything we do is for Him. By incorporating these core practices in your life, you are making a statement to others, to yourself, and to Jesus Himself that He is important—He is part of your daily life, but more is required.