Matthew 6:5-6 – NLT

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:7-8 – NLT

⁷ “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

Matthew 6:9-13 – NLT

⁹ Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. ¹⁰ May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us today the food we need, ¹² and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. ¹³ And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

P.R.A.Y.

Praise – Remind yourself how great God is when you pray. Tell Him all the things you’re thankful for. Remember the good He’s done.

Repent – Ask God for forgiveness for the times you’ve messed up. Be specific. It helps us remember how gracious God is.

Ask – If you have something you need, ask for it. It’s totally fine to ask God for something. He is our Father and He cares about us.

Yield – This last part is how we remember that God is King and we are not. His way is best! It helps us to remember that what God desires is way better than anything we can come up with.

God values authenticity.

Prayer is about connecting with God in a way that’s genuine.

Prayer is a two-way conversation with God.

Matthew 6:5-6 – NLT
⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

John 14:26 – NLT

²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Action:
Pray for two minutes each day this week.