Our habits impact us in ways we might not notice.
Bad habits can settle without us even realizing what is happening. Good habits, however, are often formed by determined repetition. Even with good effects, it’s helpful to be intentional about not allowing the good to squeeze out the best.
For Christ followers, the best is our connection with God through Jesus. In the busyness of life, though, if we are not actively guarding our heart, that relational connection can get spotty. Without realizing it, we get in a dead zone with a lack of praising God or talking to him or hearing from him through his Word.
To counter that, these aspects of prayer can be developed by habit. A habit of prayer can be effective when it is done meaningfully, not just dutifully.
Jesus even gave his followers an outline for prayer. He prefaced it, though, with, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8 NIV). He reminds his followers that his Father, our God, is present, attentive, and caring, unlike the pagan gods.
Perhaps you, like many people, once memorized the King James Version of the Lord’s Prayer:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9b-13). What follows is, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (6:14-15).
Slowing down our recitation of the Lord’s Prayer allows us to experience the weight of its words.
As we humbly address our heavenly Father, we consider the impact of him being set apart and omnipotent, yet approachable through Jesus (Hebrews 4:15-16).
As we await the second coming of Jesus, we are to live out God’s will, as servants in his Kingdom (1 John 2:17). We are to acknowledge and give thanks to our heavenly Father for being our provider (James 1:17). We are to abide in Jesus, our sustainer, the Bread of Life (John 15:5, Hebrews 1:3)
As sinners saved by grace, we are ask God to search our hearts and expose our sin (Psalm 139:24). We can pray, “Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me” (Psalm 19:12b-13a NIV). Jesus makes it clear that the forgiveness he gives us must also be expressed in our forgiveness of others.
As God’s children, we are to learn his truths and live by them. We need his protection against temptation and his deliverance from evil.
May we praise him as ruler, creator, and sustainer and the one who alone deserves full glory forever!
Develop the impactful habit of prayer and being in God’s Word as you use a Heart Training book.