In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provided detailed instructions on how to pray. He discussed topics such as why we should pray and what it should include. Knowing what Jesus said about prayer can help us in our daily lives, as prayer is a key part of Christian life and worship. Let’s look together at what Jesus taught about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount.
Why We Should Pray
Jesus taught that we should pray because God knows our needs before we even ask for them (…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him [Matthew 6:8b, NIV]), so why do we need to keep praying? The answer is that although God knows our needs, He wants us to acknowledge Him in all that we do. Through prayer, we recognize His power and authority over all things, as well as His goodness and mercy towards us. It is important to remember that prayer isn’t just about asking for something; it’s also about praising God for Who He is and thanking Him for all of the blessings He has given us.
What We Should Pray For
Jesus also gave instruction on what we should be praying for during His sermon. According to Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught us to pray for three main things: God’s name being hallowed, His kingdom coming, and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Ultimately, these are prayers for God’s glory and honor – not just our own desires or needs. As Christians, we should be praying that God’s will be done above all else; this will lead us to seek after His kingdom first and foremost in our lives.
How We Should Pray
In addition to teaching us why and what we should be praying for, Jesus also gave instruction on how we should approach prayer. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus warned against public displays of piety by saying “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men…But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” By reminding us that true prayer comes from our hearts and not from a show of religious piety, Jesus showed us that when it comes to prayer it truly is quality over quantity – not only in terms of length but also sincerity!
In summary, during His sermon on the mount Jesus taught us why it’s important to pray, what we should pray for, and how we should approach it. Following this instruction can help guide Christians towards a more meaningful experience with prayer every day. Through prayer we can draw near to Him through humility and reverence while experiencing true joy and peace in our journey of Christian discipleship.
For a more, join us for our series on the Sermon on the Mount.
…… and His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
Through difficult times, praying these words has brought me tremendous comfort knowing His will is my highest desire!
Amen!!