Why is it important to pray?

[SpiritualMeditator]

Backsliding spiritualy usually starts with a falling away in our prayer life. We stop saying it, and it isn't long before we stop thinking it, and eventually it isn't our desire at all, because we have become so full of our own will and so full of doing our own thing that God is little more than a word in a book.

So even if you've said it a million times before, keep on saying it. "Thy will be done." And while you're at it, you can say the rest of the Lord's Prayer as well. When you do, you will discover that the Lord's Prayer and the Sinner's Prayer are basically the same... except that it is more acceptable for people to keep on saying the Lord's Prayer.

Reciting the Lord's Prayer can be a meaningless ritual, and no doubt it is for many. But I have found in recent years that it contains all of the things that I most want and need in my Christian walk. And yet if I don't say those things at least daily, they can fade from my attention, and I can become distracted and more involved in lesser things. I don't often say the exact words from the Lord's Prayer when I pray, but I do use it as my outline.

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Do you want God to be worshipped and honoured? Do you love him yourself, and worship him? Then say it to him every day. He wants to hear you saying that.

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Do you want God's will... in your life and in the lives of others? Then say it, and it will make you more attentive to ways that you can conform to his will and contribute to building his kingdom. Nothing matters more in your life and the entire history of the human race than the building of God's eternal kingdom of love and faith.

"Give us this day our daily bread." That's the line that can most easily be left out in our affluent Western society. But if there are any genuine physical needs that you have, then they need to be placed before God and faced with the knowledge that he is in control of your life. Preceded as it is by a prayer for God's will above all else, you do not need to be afraid to ask if you have a need. Just say it, and know that when you do, God hears it.

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We all need forgiveness every day, as we continually fall short of our full potential. We all need more love for others too. If you really want those things, do not be slack about saying it. And in saying it as it is expressed here, we are reminded of the relationship between our love for others and God's love for us. It's one of the best reminders in the world for getting us down off some high horse of supposed religious superiority.

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I cannot imagine anyone ever backsliding if they would just say (and mean) those words every day of their lives. God is faithful to keep us on the right track when we are humble enough to ask him for such protection. Backsliding happens when we think we know more than God, and we start using human reasoning and trivial excuses for sinfulness in some area of our lives. If you want to do what is right, then say it, and say it over and over. Acknowledge your need for God's help in keeping you honest and humble and loving. Those who hunger and thirst after doing what is right will do it... providing they keep on asking for God's help.

"For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." We end up right back where we started, and that is praising God. But in particular, we are reminded that it is God who calls the shots, and God who should get the credit for everything good in our lives. If you believe that, then say it, and when you do, you will find yourself in exactly the right position to be used by God.

[Busby]

[quote=SpiritualMeditato


"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Do you want God to be worshipped and honoured? Do you love him yourself, and worship him? Then say it to him every day. He wants to hear you saying that.




.[/QUOTE]

How do you know what 'he' wants?
Sorry, but such statements are not founded upon facts.

Personally I wouldn't waste 'his' time.

[lomax]

The importance i see in this prayer,is to ground the current of the heavenly father into your earthly life.
It's a well constructed form of invocation.

[Unseeking Seeker]

***

Prayer. Surrender of ego. Yes.

Purity of intent is what counts

Just read in a book authored by Swami Abhinava that whatever be our chosen path, we need to progress from ‘I am His’ to ‘He is mine’ to ‘I Am He’

***

[Truth307]

Originally Posted by SpiritualMeditator

Backsliding spiritualy usually starts with a falling away in our prayer life. We stop saying it, and it isn't long before we stop thinking it, and eventually it isn't our desire at all, because we have become so full of our own will and so full of doing our own thing that God is little more than a word in a book.

So even if you've said it a million times before, keep on saying it. "Thy will be done." And while you're at it, you can say the rest of the Lord's Prayer as well. When you do, you will discover that the Lord's Prayer and the Sinner's Prayer are basically the same... except that it is more acceptable for people to keep on saying the Lord's Prayer.

Reciting the Lord's Prayer can be a meaningless ritual, and no doubt it is for many. But I have found in recent years that it contains all of the things that I most want and need in my Christian walk. And yet if I don't say those things at least daily, they can fade from my attention, and I can become distracted and more involved in lesser things. I don't often say the exact words from the Lord's Prayer when I pray, but I do use it as my outline.

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Do you want God to be worshipped and honoured? Do you love him yourself, and worship him? Then say it to him every day. He wants to hear you saying that.

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Do you want God's will... in your life and in the lives of others? Then say it, and it will make you more attentive to ways that you can conform to his will and contribute to building his kingdom. Nothing matters more in your life and the entire history of the human race than the building of God's eternal kingdom of love and faith.

"Give us this day our daily bread." That's the line that can most easily be left out in our affluent Western society. But if there are any genuine physical needs that you have, then they need to be placed before God and faced with the knowledge that he is in control of your life. Preceded as it is by a prayer for God's will above all else, you do not need to be afraid to ask if you have a need. Just say it, and know that when you do, God hears it.

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We all need forgiveness every day, as we continually fall short of our full potential. We all need more love for others too. If you really want those things, do not be slack about saying it. And in saying it as it is expressed here, we are reminded of the relationship between our love for others and God's love for us. It's one of the best reminders in the world for getting us down off some high horse of supposed religious superiority.

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." I cannot imagine anyone ever backsliding if they would just say (and mean) those words every day of their lives. God is faithful to keep us on the right track when we are humble enough to ask him for such protection. Backsliding happens when we think we know more than God, and we start using human reasoning and trivial excuses for sinfulness in some area of our lives. If you want to do what is right, then say it, and say it over and over. Acknowledge your need for God's help in keeping you honest and humble and loving. Those who hunger and thirst after doing what is right will do it... providing they keep on asking for God's help.

"For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." We end up right back where we started, and that is praising God. But in particular, we are reminded that it is God who calls the shots, and God who should get the credit for everything good in our lives. If you believe that, then say it, and when you do, you will find yourself in exactly the right position to be used by God.

Nice post. We don’t need protection as God is All. And we dictate our lives, but we pay our dues as we reap what we sow.

God is Love. That’s why Jesus was able to accept matyrdom, why we can forgive, why we can see God in the Good and the bad. The entire universe is built on a fearless unconditional Love.

Make your prayer Love. Love him. For He is All.

[Hawaiian Dreams]

Thank you for the reminder to constantly pray, and welcome to the forum!