True Prayer Is Not Merely A Shopping List

God-Centered Prayer

“And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:13)

We have had a wonderful time learning from the Prayer of Jesus. True prayer, we discovered, is first of all God-centered, then Kingdom-centered, and only then People-centered. Now we discover that what began in worship ends in worship as the Prayer of Jesus culminates in God-centered prayer.

Praise and worship are highly esteemed by God. “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.”Psalm 22:3 (KJV).

It glorifies Him when we express our trust in and thankfulness to Him, our Heavenly Father. A “gratitude attitude” – or thankfulness – is deeply appreciated by the Lord.

Jesus healed ten lepers on one occasion, and only one returned to give thanks. “So Jesus answered and said, were there not ten [lepers] cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

The Prayer of Jesus has taken us from the loftiest heights of Heaven to the deepest needs on earth, and assured us of our Heavenly Father’s love, care and compassion. How can we but stop and praise Him for His goodness?

True prayer must end in worship.

Val Waldeck
Excerpt from His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His Eye Is On The Sparrow
365-Day Devotional