A Prayer about Praying Briefly but Often

Merciful Father,

In the past week, 

I’ve received more emails requesting prayer 

than I have in the past three months. 

We confess, too often, we go about our lives 

thinking that we’ve basically “got it,” 

and we don’t acknowledge our dependence on you by praying. 

Some of us don’t pray because we think 

we have to have the right language; 

others don’t pray because we think 

our prayers have to be long and tedious. 

Father, help us to remember 

that Jesus warned his disciples against 

“heaping up empty phrases” 

and then gave them a very short prayer to pray, 

what we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” (Matthew 6:7-13).

Father, indeed, you know what we need before we ask.

So today we pray 

that we will pray briefly but often, 

coming to you throughout the day with…

our deepest longings: 

Your kingdom come 

(defeat illness and death; 

overthrow evil regimes; 

rule over unrighteousness). 

our basic needs: 

Give us this day our daily bread 

(help me get dinner on the table, 

help me get a job that provides for my family).

our only hope: 

Forgive us and help us forgive others 

(show us our sin; 

soften our bitterness; 

send us to release others).

As we pray these things and more 

throughout the day, 

show us our desperate dependence on you; 

show us your abundant provision for us. 

In Jesus’ praying name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6: 5-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.