As christian’s, one of the hardest things we face is praying without getting answers. I have come across many people whose faith has been deterred/shattered  because of unanswered prayers. We have all been told to be patient, but not everyone has been blessed with such virtue. Our church is taking a whole new approach back to the basics of “The Lord’s Prayer” not just residing the Lord’s prayer on a daily basis, but actually knowing what these words means when it comes to praying to the Living God. I have been blessed beyond my widest imagination. And yet, one area I still can’t fathom why He loves me this much is when it comes to my ‘answered prayers’. Everything I have prayed for or asked God for has been answered or has come to reality. Maybe not at the time of my request, but at the time when He wants His purpose fulfill in my life. Trust me; I am not that righteous or super spiritual – who is? “As it is written: There is none righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” Romans 3:10 – 11. And I sometimes lack words or things to pray about, but one thing I always do unfailingly is offer myself to the Lord, surrender my troubles to Him, sing praises to Him, cry out my heart to Him and offer my raw emotional honesty – irrespective of my environment. Can you honestly do that? When the Holy Spirit moves you, do something! I am glad God is God and not man. He looks at the heart while we look at the outward appearance, so He rewards each person according to what He sees from within. As a matter of fact, God is the only one who buried our future in our beginning.

Based on our midweek studies, I decided to come up with a prayer pattern to guard and assist us through one of the most important walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus always took time to pray, is only fair if we follow in His steps.

“Our Father in Heaven.”

I can’t understand why you love me this much. Your love is long enough to last forever, is wide enough to embrace everything about me, is deep enough to pull me out of my deepest despair and is high enough to overlook every offense of mine. Your love is enduring! Help me to love as much as you have loved me, to shine your love, your light to the lives I come across and to love my neighbors not that they deserve it, but because you love me first. May the life I live be a replica of your unfailing and everlasting love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

“Hallowed be your name.”

In Jesus name! In the mighty name of Jesus! Lord, I love you for who you are and not what you can do for me. Even when you don’t come through, I will still love you because you are God, you are my Father, my Shield, my Creator, my Savior, my Shepherd, my Counselor, my Comforter, my Best Friend. Thou ancient of day, the Great I Am that I Am, the Eternal rock of Ages, Thou God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, incomprehensible God, the beginning and the end, Thou ever faithful God, El Elyon (The most high God), Adonai (Lord, Master), El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), Jehovah Elohim (God, Judge, Creator), Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will Provide), Jehovah Rapha (The Lord that Heals), Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner, Miracle), Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace) – I declare your Holiness, I declare your Lordship, I declare your Greatness, I reverend Your Holy name, I appreciate You and thank You for all you have done and continue to do in my life. My Glories are countless (List your Glories). I praise You for you are God – for your mercies endureth forever. “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” Psalm 107:15.

“Your Kingdom come.”

Lord, use me  like an instrument for your greater purpose. Make me as a vessel for Your Kingdom and to be those who carry their Cross daily for Your greater Glory. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11. Lord help me to work as if I am working for you in everything and anything I do because I know that my reward does not come from the world, but from You. My Rock and my Redeemer, Help me to make the most with my hands to use them diligently and work productively so that the world may know that you send me. “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth”. Proverbs 10:4. I know I would face many trials, troubles and tribulations, but help and lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Grant me the ability to surrender my all to You and to know that You work all things for the good for those who love You. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose”. Romans 8:28. I want to be on fire for you Lord, to be a child after your own heart irrespective of the circumstances or pitfalls that comes across my way. Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Host, The Lord of powers), I surrender my all to you and I give you my life as an offering throughout this day and forever more.

“Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Lord Jesus, In this life, I know I will encounter pain and suffering because you went through worst. Being a Christian and a faithful follower of Christ Jesus is not an insurance policy against suffering – so if it is possible take away this cup of suffering, yet not as I will but as you will. In my moment of sickness, grant me healing, in my moment of sadness, grant me joy, in my moment of pain, comfort me, in my moment of sorrow, God console me. When I feel like I have reached the end, Daddy reassure me that you are still with me. When I am being ridicule – come to my rescue, when I am short of words, faithless, close to given up –  give me hope to reassure my faith. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body”. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

My Rock and my Fortress, help me to draw closer to You so You can draw closer to us. I trust You will meet all my needs as promised in Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Place some of your needs in God’s hands – use His word to remind Him that if He can feed the birds in the sky what more of you His child). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. Philippians 4:6. Jehovah Jireh (The Lord will provide), grant me patience to wait on you and what you have in store for my life and help me to be content with the life you have given me. Lord, you called Jacob by a new name when You bless him – Lord may I be call by a new name. You bless Joseph and make him the head in Pharaoh’s house, Lord make me the head in Jesus name. I will be the head and not the tail – the word of God has said it must be so. Lord, when you bless Ruth, you called her a virtuous woman – may I be known as a virtuous woman/man in Jesus name. May my hard work not go in vain and grant me with a heart of thanksgiving, so I can be able to bless others as much as I have been blessed. I will not borrow, I will not lack, but I will have in abundance and lend to people. I will be a living testimony about your great works in my life.  

“Forgive us our sins.”

Jehovah M’kaddesh (The Lord who sanctifies you), I admit I am a sinner with an unclean lips,  I am full of guilt – in anyway or manner I have sin against You in idle talks, despise my neighbors and friends, in my movement and manners Lord you are a merciful God a compassionate God – it is not your wish that I should perish, but I might have repentance. Father Lord, you promise me when your son Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary that you have forgiven all my sins. Lord! Remember not my sins and forgive me completely in Jesus name. Lord Your blood makes sinners to be clean, have mercy on me according to your loving kindness, wash me thoroughly from my inequities and sanctify me with the blood of Jesus Christ. My Lord and my God “If we confess our sins to God, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:9. I am unworthy to call you Lord, yet You have removed my sins as far as the East is from the West. Protect my tongue, thoughts, eyes, movements, manipulative language and everything of my being that is against Your Will. “Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thought. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”. Psalm 139:24-24. Lord Jesus, anything that is not of You, Daddy please take it away and anything that is a hindrance to me gaining a place in your kingdom Lord eradicate it, yet not as I will but as you will.

“As we forgive those who sin against us.”

Jehovah Shalom “The Lord of Peace” I want to live a life that pleases You and only You. I release all those who have hurt me in anyway shape or form knowingly and unknowingly.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. Romans 12:21. Lord, as You have forgiven me grant me the courage and wisdom to be able to forgive all my oppressors – because I know I would be freeing myself. Enable me to be a peacemaker and to hand my oppressed over to you for “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord”. Romans 12:19. I am not perfect neither are they. Give me the ability to liberate myself from their bondage so I can live for You and die to myself. I don’t know why things happened the way they did, but I believe it was all for Your purpose so your message will be fulfilled. And it has strengthen, prepare and make me a new creation in Thee for Your greater Glory. From this day forth, I live my pain, hurt, sorrows, at the Cross in exchange for peace, righteousness, and joy that surpasses all understanding.

“Lead us not into temptation.”

Adonai “Lord, Master” our human nature is sinful, deceitful and manipulative. Teach me how to run from temptation, and guard my heart from adultery, fornication, malice, sin of commission, sin of omission. Jehovah Tsikenu “The Lord our Righteousness” Help me to follow the path that you have plan forth for me to do the right things, to put You first, to stop procrastinating, to see all as equal because we all bleed the same (rich/poor, black/white, believers/unbelievers and the list goes on and on). Help me to follow the purpose you have set forth in my life, not to take the easy route, but to be open minded and willing to attempt and follow through with my calling. I know is not always going to be easy, but as long as I trust in You, You will make the burden less easy to handle. Only then will I be able to know Your Will for my life. Grant me with a heart of servitude and gratitude in all my dealings to enable me to meet the needs for your kingdom wholeheartedly. My ever faithful God, give me the wisdom to know and follow my true calling and to place You at the center of all and refrain my eyes from wandering into directions that are not meant for me. Guard my heart above all things and grant me with a Spirit of fulfillment

“Deliver us from evil”.

Lord Jesus, many people have risen against me, but you are the Mighty Man in battle, arise from your throne and let my enemies be scattered according to your words in Psalm 68:1. Father, wherever they have gathered against me, my children, my husband, my entire family, my progress, career, in their coven, on air, sea, land – I command them to receive the fire of God in Jesus’ name. I command all their words, magical mirrors, plans which they are using to monitor my movement I neutralize their evil ways and plans upon my life in Jesus name. Any ancestry curse from my parents side, my husband side, I said back-to-sender in Jesus name. I refuse to suffer what I don’t know about. Any bitter water or food I have been given in my sleep/dreams I vomit it in Jesus name. Lord, save me, my brothers, my sisters, my friends, my children, my parents, and my entire family from witches and wizards.

Oh Lord, You are the author and finisher of my faith, the battle is not mine, but Yours. You are the Man at war, you never fought any battle and losses; I know that you will answer me. Lord, when the wicked join their hands against me, scatter them by fire. Thou who answer all prayers, answer me Lord. Thou who answered to Daniel’s prayers and deliver him from the Lions den, deliver me from the hands of those who are too strong for me to handle. “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me”. Psalm 35:1. The father of the fatherless, be my father in Jesus name. May I overcome my enemies in Jesus name. Lord Jesus, I claim all my blessings from the hands of my destroyers – I stand with Your authority against any spirit of disappointment, spirit of hatred in my life; in the life of members of my family in the name of Jesus Christ be Thou destroy with the Holy ghost fire. Spirit of the Living God, let my name be attached with fire and let them be consumed with fire, I shall overcome my enemies in Jesus name. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safety to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen”. 2 Timothy 4: 18

“Yours is the kingdom and the power and the Glory”.

The Lord’s Prayer ends where it begins with the Glory of God, He wins and we win with Him. Jesus is teaching us that the ultimate aim of our prayers is that God’s Will be glorified, no matter the outcome. The  purpose of prayer is not to conform God to His way of seeing things, but is to conform us to the kingdom, power and glory of God. God has never fought any battle and lose, if you read through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation our God is declared the winner. He is EloHim (God, Judge, Creator), He is El Elyon (The most high God), He is El OLam (The God of Eternity, The God of the Universe, The God of ancient days), He is Jehovah M’kaddesh (The Lord who sanctifies you, The Lord who makes Holy). In His word there is no bound, the entrance of His word gives light and understanding to the simple. Lord may Your word dwell richly in me in Jesus name. Your word is a lamp for the youth that has fallen, hope for the sinner who’s life has been squander, star for the agent and the best book for all. May You feed my soul with Your true and living word in Jesus name Amen!!!.

Prayer is not our last resort, rather our first response. If we want to walk the way Jesus walked, we have to walk in humility – and that humility will be seen through prayer. If Jesus needed a pattern and priority of prayer in His life in other to fulfilled God’s will, how much more for you and I? All we can do is PRAY!!! And we can start by realizing that Prayer is a privilege, there is a Pattern in prayer, we need to Prioritize prayer, there is a Posture of prayer and then we should Pray as if our lives are depended on it. Because it is! If we as a people and nation would pray this way; our tears will be brought to laughter, our failures to freedom, sickness to healing, death to life, misfortune to fortune, victim to victor, oppressed to impressed, and persecuted to liberated. We are all the same and we are beautiful when we come together.

Let’s join forces in prayer and shake this earth out of its misery by having more trust in the Lord, more faith in Him, more joy in His service, more purpose in prayer, more hope in His ways, more Zeal for His kingdom, more praise for joy; and our song through life shall be CHRIST FOR ME/US. If we have to go down, let’s go down PRAYING. “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to  me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:35-40.