What Jesus Actually Said About Prayer

How to Pray: Coming Home to Our Father

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 6

Other references

• Luke 5
• Luke 6
• Luke 9

Overview

Prayer is not a performance or a last-ditch effort; it is simply talking with God. Jesus’ own practice and teaching show that our Father wants our hearts, invites an honest relationship, and uses prayer to form us into His likeness. When we understand that the purpose of prayer is to be with God and become like Him, we move from duty to delight.

Main Points

1. Missing the Target

• Illustration: Olympic sharpshooter Matt Emmons nailed a bullseye—on the wrong target—and fell from first to eighth. We can do the same in prayer when we aim at the wrong purpose.
• Common struggles:
  • Distraction: mind wanders from prayer to texts, weather, random videos.
  • Disappointment: unanswered requests (job, college, prodigal child) make us wonder if God hears.

2. God Wants Your Heart (Matthew 6:5-8)

• Jesus warns: do not pray like hypocrites (performers) or pagans (wordy manipulators).
• Prayer is not about polished language or public applause.

• “The purpose of prayer is not to get something from God, but to be with Him and become like Him.”

• Practical take-away: bring the real you, not a masked, “perfect” version.

3. Prayer Is Relational — “Our Father”

• How you view God shapes how you pray.
  • Not a cosmic vending machine, absent parent, or harsh policeman.
  • Jesus’ favorite name for God: Father (Abba), a term of intimacy.
• Story: As a boy, the speaker ran to greet his dad; later he felt he had to perform to earn affection—mirroring how many approach God.
• Wounded views of fatherhood can distort prayer; our heavenly Father is present, kind, and trustworthy.

4. Prayer Is Formational — “Hallowed Be Your Name”

• To “hallow” is to recognize God’s name as holy, beautiful, and trustworthy.
• Time with God changes us: the more we behold Him, the more we embody love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity.
• Story: Elderly man prayed daily to the empty chair beside his bed, believing Jesus sat there. At death he rested his head on that chair—an image of abiding presence.

5. A 21-Day Invitation

• Church-wide challenge: commit to talk with God every day until Easter.
  • New to prayer? Start five minutes in the car or at the kitchen table.
  • Seasoned pray-er? Add noon and evening pauses, or pray boldly for one person daily.
• Expect God to “show up in spaces you forgot He was present.”

Key Truths

• Prayer is conversation, not recitation.
• How we see God determines how we approach Him.
• God welcomes honesty over eloquence.
• Time in God’s presence shapes our character and priorities.
• We become like the One we spend time with.

Response

• Set a daily time to talk with your Father for the next 21 days.
• Begin each prayer by recalling who God is—“Our Father.”
• Speak plainly; drop performance language.
• Ask God to reveal one way His holiness can shape your actions today.
• Pray for someone specific each day, trusting God’s loving presence for them.

Closing

Jesus models and teaches prayer that is honest, relational, and transforming. Commit now to come home to the Father’s presence every day, knowing He smiles when He thinks of you.

“The purpose of prayer is not to get something from God, but to be with Him and become like Him.”

Prayer

“Dear Lord, I give You my life. I recognize I’m a sinner in need of a Savior. Forgive me of my sins and fill me with Your Spirit so I may love You and serve You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”