Praying For Our Needs

Posted on by Japanese Congregational Church

Matthew 6:9-14

Last month we began a series on prayer. Our first message was titled “Learning to Pray”. Now obviously that’s a huge topic. We are learning to pray, and learning about prayer…. our entire lives. So we can’t possibly cover everything!

But we started by considering a few of the items that keep us from prayer….that make prayer seem difficult at times. For example, a sense of self-confidence or independence – that may lead to feeling that we have no real need of prayer; a busy life – that may lead to a schedule that’s out of control; distractions – that keep us from ever becoming quiet, still, or focused. And so on…

We then looked at the example of Jesus and his disciples and saw that the following were all characteristics of prayer in Jesus’ example and teaching.

  • A sense of weakness, helplessness
  • Prioritizing prayer time
  • Becoming like a child 
  • Growing love toward God (viewing prayer as a relationship)　
  • Learning total trust　

Today our topic is: “Praying for our Needs”

  • What kind of needs do you have?  (so many, right?)
  • Is it OK to pray about all of them? (are any of them so small that they seem  insignificant? Are any of them so big that you feel that your prayers would be insignificant?)　
  • Is it possible for our prayers to ever get self-centered…or selfish?　
  • Is there a proper way to pray? An improper way?　

And these are only a few of the questions that we may have when praying about our needs.

The following two cases from scripture may help us in understanding a proper way to pray:

  • Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple:
    • The Pharisee prays in a prideful way “Thank you God that I am not like that tax collector, that sinner.”
    • The tax collector prays in anguish and humility “God, have mercy on me a sinner.”
    • Jesus tells his disciples that it was the tax collector’s prayer that God heard.
    • So yes, it appears that there may be prayers that God doesn’t hear….because of our attitudes, sin in our lives, and other barriers that come between us and God.
  • Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:18
    • “And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
    • Paul’s words would seem to indicate that when it comes to “needs” there are no “off-limit” requests. Pray about EVERYTHING, ALL THE TIME!
    • So perhaps when thinking about “praying for our needs” the best advice is Paul’s – don’t worry about whether a prayer is correct or not…..just pray about everything…..all of the time!

Throughout the Bible we see people praying for various kinds of needs:

  • Many prayed for children:  Samuel’s mother Hannah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Jacob’s wife Rachel, and many others.
  • Many prayed for God’s wisdom and leading: Hezekiah – for guidance and help when being attacked, Solomon – for wisdom to rule, Nehemiah – for specific guidance and plans for rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.
  • David prayed for the peace of Jerusalem.
  • Anna, at 84, prayed to be able to see the Messiah before she died.
  • Paul prayed for a successful missionary journey.　
  • John prayed for good health and wellbeing.　
  • Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies.　

So while scripture doesn’t teach us one, correct way to pray, or about topics that may be acceptable or off-limits, Jesus himself, when asked, said this to his disciples:

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  Matthew 6:9-14

Many have therefore seen this as a model prayer, and one that should be studied and followed. Indeed, we say this prayer together every Sunday in our worship, and most of us have used it on many occasions in our own homes. Uncountable sermons have been preached on this prayer…and so much excellent analysis that could help us in our prayer life. But today, I offer one very simple formula, or idea, that may help us when praying for our needs.

Three movements of God in this prayer:

  • God’s provinces – God reigns between heaven and earth. He connects the spiritual and physical worlds. Through a spiritual practice (prayer) the physical world is affected / changed! Here Jesus teaches us to pray for the reality of God’s reign to come on earth, just as it is already a reality in heaven.
    • Our Father in heaven….
    • Hallowed be your name….
    • Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth….as it is in heaven
  • God’s provision –  As our heavenly parent, God knows our needs and cares about them.
    • Give us today our daily bread…
    • “Don’t worry about your food, drink, clothing, or shelter. I know all about these real needs that you have.” (Mt. 6:25-33)
    • Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phil 4:6)
  • God’s protection – Against the evil one, against death, against sickness
    • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one　

And so in this model prayer that Jesus offers to his disciples – and to us – we pray for the reign of God, for the Kingdom of God, to become a reality right here and now. We also are not shy about praying for our physical needs –  for our food, drink, clothing, and shelter,  knowing that God cares about these things. Finally, we recognize our need for God’s protection as we walk daily through this world and through life.

Final Thoughts:

  1. Praying for our needs…..comes out of our deep sense of personal need and lack.
  2. There is not a single, correct way to pray. There are no “off-limits” prayers. “Pray about everything all the time”. Yes, our prayers will change over time. They may move from self-centered to God-centered. But this is something we practice and grow into…..start where you are!
  3. Our “prayer tip” for this week: The three “P’s”. God’s provinces, God’s provision, and God’s protection

Take a moment to write down some needs that you are praying about:

  • Three personal needs that you consider top priority
  • Three JCC needs (needs of our church family) that you consider the most important.

Share these with God, and with each other, as we continue to grow in our prayer lives!

(the above is a summary and outline of the message shared during our worship on February 4, 2024.)