What Jesus Actually Said About Prayer

How to Pray – Week 1

Pastor Josh Wagner • Life.Church

Scripture References

Primary text

• Matthew 6

Other references

• Luke 5
• Luke 6
• Luke 9
• Galatians 6:2

Overview

Prayer isn’t a last-ditch spiritual emergency line; it is the everyday way we come home to a Father who loves to be with us. Jesus’ own life was saturated with prayer, and in Matthew 6 He gives a pattern that pulls us away from performance and into relationship. Pastor Josh walked through the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer to show that God wants our hearts, invites us into intimacy, and shapes us as we talk with Him.

Main Points

1. God wants your heart, not a performance

• Jesus warns against two prayer pitfalls (Matthew 6:5-8):
  • Hypocrites – praying for show in public places.
  • Pagans – piling up empty words to twist God’s arm.
• In both cases the focus is self, not God.
• Prayer is “talking with God,” not merely talking to Him.
• Illustration: Olympic marksman Matt Emmons hit a perfect bullseye—on the wrong target. We can do the same when we aim prayer at the wrong purpose.

2. Prayer is relational – “Our Father”

• How you view God determines how you pray.
• Jesus chose the intimate word Father (Abba) more than any other divine title.
• A broken earthly dad can distort this view, but God is the perfect Father: close, compassionate, trustworthy.
• Story: Josh’s childhood eagerness to meet his dad after work gradually shifted into trying to “look productive” so he would gain approval—a pattern many bring into prayer.
• Story: Elderly man in hospital pictured Jesus in the chair beside him; he died resting his head on that chair—confidence that Jesus was truly present.

3. Prayer is formational – “Hallowed be Your name”

• To hallow God’s name is to recognize His holiness and beauty.
• The more we behold Him, the more we want to be with Him, and the more we become like Him.
• Time in His presence naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, kindness, generosity, compassion.
• The purpose of prayer in one sentence:

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

Key Truths

• God already knows what you need; He still wants you to come.
• Authentic prayer starts in private, behind a closed door.
• Your picture of God—distant judge or present Father—will make or break your prayer life.
• You grow to resemble the One you spend time with.
• Small, consistent moments of prayer build a life that God can trust with bigger things.

Response

• Set aside daily, distraction-free time to talk honestly with your Father.
• Over the next 21 days, commit to pray every day—morning, noon, and/or night.
• Practice God’s presence: picture an empty chair beside you and speak to Jesus there.
• Let your first reaction to need, pressure, or joy be prayer rather than worry or self-reliance.
• Ask the Spirit to reveal and heal any distorted views of God you carry from earthly experiences.

Closing

Prayer isn’t about polished words or checking a religious box; it is about returning home to a God who smiles when He sees you. As we approach Easter, Pastor Josh invited the church to a 21-day step of faith: talk with God every day and watch how His presence reshapes everything.

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

Prayer

(Paraphrased summary)
Pastor Josh thanked God for the gift of relationship, asked Him to draw near to everyone choosing daily prayer, and prayed that over the next three weeks we would experience His love in fresh, transformative ways.