It's probably one of the world's most well known prayers. Amazing in its simplicity and length and profound in every. single. word. Nicole and Sharon unpack this prayer and talk about the value of prayer itself. What a privilege it is to be able to talk to God. Join us for today's episode and walk away refreshed. That's our goal and prayer for you, friend. And share your thoughts in the comments afterward. We love hearing from you!
[su_spoiler title="Read transcript for Pray Like Jesus" icon="arrow-circle-1"] Speaker 1 (00:02): Welcome friend. It's time to hit pause on your busy day and enjoy the Sweet Selah Moments podcast. Let's ponder God's Word together and find the encouragement we need to work well and rest well. The Sweet Selah Moments podcast is brought to you by Word Radio and Sweet Selah Ministries. Nicole (00:31): Welcome to episode 20 of the Sweet Selah moments podcast. Today's episode is called Pray Like Jesus, the Lord's Prayer. Oh, Sharon. I love prayer. It is such an amazing gift. I have been talking to God since I can remember. There have been times when I have not read my Bible and my relationship with God has been an afterthought, sadly, as I have drifted and come back to him. But prayer has always been that constant in my life. I have never stopped praying, especially now as a mother, I cling to that verse, 'pray without ceasing' in first Thessalonians five 17. And I do, they range from long intentional prayers to written prayers in my journal to quick cries for help throughout the day. But I am always talking to Jesus. I have so many words and he's never sick of hearing from me. It's just the best. Sharon, how about you? When did you first learn to pray and how is it going with your prayer life? Sharon (01:26): I'm just laughing because we are so alike. Ray always says I use up all my words at school and when I come home, I don't have a lot to say, but that's okay because you obviously haven't used up all your words yet. And you're right, no matter how many words we have, God will listen to every single one and delight in hearing from us. So, you know, I think one of the richest gifts of growing up in a Christian home is the gift of feeling that freedom to come to God in prayer. It's just such a wonderful blessing. There's some downsides to growing up in Christian home. You can take the gospel message for granted. You can not feel humbled because you had this wicked life and then came to Christ and you can, you can be too blase. So I'm not saying that everything about growing up Christianly is great, but I think if you grow up from childhood on knowing there's a God that loves you, then the ability to run to him often comes very sweetly and easily. Nicole (02:30): It does. Sharon (02:30): And so I'm grateful. I'm grateful God chose to place me in the home of Christian parents that from day one had me praying. And when I was a teenager would come into my room at night and they'd pray individually with me before I went to sleep. Prayer has been the warp and woof of my life. It's just been woven right into the fabric and I am so, so grateful. You know, I think it's fascinating, Nicole, that the Disciples who had been with Jesus for awhile then in Luke chapter 11 said, 'Lord teach us to pray' because they grew up in Jewish homes where there was some form of prayer, but I think they saw Jesus pray and they wanted to do it like him. So right after they say that Luke records the same Lord's Prayer that we're going to be reading today in Matthew. Jesus prayed often. He was always talking to his Father. He got up before dawn after some long days, and then just a short night because he was desperate to meet with God in prayer. Before he was crucified, Jesus prayed and prayed and prayed...
