We Wish to See Jesus

Category: prayer

Studies and reflections about prayer and dependence upon God.

  • When You Pray

    In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus provides a model prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). This prayer is not intended to be a mere rote or liturgical recitation, but serves as a profound model for how Jesus taught His disciples to pray. The New King James Version quotes Jesus as saying, “In this manner, therefore pray.” It is essential to grasp the significance of Jesus’ instructions to His disciples in prayer, as there are fundamental aspects we sometimes overlook when teaching others. I hope this reading will be helpful for those who take the time to consider how Jesus desires us to pray. 

    One key point to note is that Jesus emphasizes addressing God the Father. In verse 9, Jesus instructs us to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” The Father to whom we pray is truly God, the Creator of all things and the God revealed in the Bible, who sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of humanity. Together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, He is the one true God (Genesis 1:1; Romans 5:8; John 17:3). Therefore, when we approach God, we must express reverence, as Jesus indicates in the same verse: “Hallowed be your name.” While this may seem simple, some approach God frivolously and fail to express genuine reverence. In prayer, we are approaching the throne of the God who created everything, and our approach should be holy (Leviticus 10:3; Hebrews 12:28-29).

    Furthermore, Jesus teaches us to include supplications in our prayers. Supplications are entreaties or requests made known to God. In verse 10, we are encouraged to pray, “Your Kingdom come.” Some may argue that Jesus’ Kingdom has already been established, and therefore we no longer need to pray this way. However, this statement speaks to our desire for God’s purposes to be accomplished in our lives, as the verse continues: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Might we also pray that God’s rule reign in the hearts of others? 

    Verse 11 addresses our physical needs, instructing us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” God cares about our physical needs, but even more importantly, He is concerned with our spiritual needs (Matthew 6:33). In verse 12, we read, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” This goes beyond material or financial debt; it addresses our utmost of spiritual needs (Cf. Luke 11:3-4). Jesus also says that forgiveness from God for our sins, is closely linked to our willingness to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:30-32). And a forgiving spirit toward others, becomes easier, when we are mindful of their own spiritual needs! 

    Additionally, Jesus teaches us to seek God’s guidance and help in our struggle against sin, and even Satan himself. In verse 13, He says, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Acknowledging God’s sovereign rule is also part of this teaching, as the verse concludes with praise: “For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and glory forever. Amen.”

    To summarize, when we pray, we should: 

    – Address God the Father 

    – Express reverence toward Him 

    – Include supplications that appeal to God’s purposes in our lives 

    – Make requests for our physical & spiritual needs, as well as for the spiritual needs of others 

    – Seek guidance and help in our struggle(s) against sin 

    – Conclude with praise for God 

    Moreover, Jesus taught that prayer need not be complicated for God to hear and respond (Matt. 6:7–8). He also emphasized the importance of persistence in prayer, reminding us not to become discouraged when an answer does not come immediately (Matthew 7:7-8; 15:21-28; Luke 11:5-10). This kind of steadfastness is an area in which we can all continue to grow.

    As we approach God, it’s important to remember that Jesus gave the prayer in Matthew 6 as a model for our own prayers. While Scripture offers many faithful examples of prayer, this particular teaching provides a clear framework for approaching God with the right priorities. Notably, the focus of this model prayer is not primarily on physical concerns, but on spiritual matters and our relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that our prayers should ultimately reflect a heart that seeks God, His will, and His kingdom above all else.

  • Lead Me, Lord: A Prayer from Proverbs 16

    People can make plans and set goals, but the Lord determines the final results. The sixteenth chapter of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s will and aligning our intentions with His purposes. The following verse effectively summarizes this idea: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, New King James Version).  

    Oh God (El Shaddai), I genuinely want to plan my life with wisdom. As I seek to do my very best, may I find comfort in relying on You to bring true success into my life. I want to do Your will above all else. Please uphold me in the good things, and steer me away from those that would be evil in Your sight. 

    In this chapter, we see that God values honesty, justice, and integrity, especially in leadership and decision-making (vv. 10-13). A righteous ruler acts in accordance with truth and fairness, reflecting God’s moral character. 

    God, I also ask those in positions of authority within this country to govern in a manner that fosters a quiet and peaceful life for all people. Furthermore, I pray that the leaders of our nation seek counsel from You to establish the moral fabric of this land. 

    Proverbs 16 further emphasizes the importance of wisdom in speech and conduct. As we have seen throughout, words hold power; they can bring life, instruction, and healing when spoken wisely and graciously: “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (vv. 23-24). 

    God, grant me the skill to communicate more effectively; that You will be glorified, and that grace may be given to hearers. 

    This chapter also teaches about the dangers of pride and the value of humility. Where pride leads to downfall, humility leads to honor and safety (vv. 18-19). These verses highlight a recurring biblical truth: humility is essential to opening the door to receiving God’s blessings. 

    God, the world sure seems to reward those who are prideful and selfishly ambitious. May I find comfort in Your ways, and may You reward me with inner peace for seeking to be a humble man in Your eyes.

    Finally, we read in this chapter about the Lord’s justice & guidance (vv. 25-33). Not every path that seems right to a person leads to life, but God weighs motives, guides choices, and brings about justice. The lot may sometimes appear random, but even chance events are under God’s control (v. 33)! 

    Oh God (my Father and Master), without You, I am nothing. I open my heart and my life to You: to lead me, use me, and even try me. Rule my steps and lead me on the path You would have me take. May Your providential care be ever-present with me, amen!

  • Lord, Make Me Wise

    Proverbs 12 presents a variety of teachings that emphasize the values of wisdom, righteousness, and the importance of good character. The chapter begins by highlighting the significance of accepting instruction and the folly of rejecting it, asserting that a wise person embraces discipline as a means of growth. It contrasts the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, illustrating how righteous actions lead to life, while wicked actions lead to destruction. 

    The chapter also explores the impact of speech, noting that words can bring life or death (vv. 6, 13, 14, 17-23). It stresses the importance of using one’s words wisely and underscores the power of truthful and kind speech. Additionally, it highlights how righteous individuals are likened to a fruitful tree, benefiting not just themselves but also those around them. 

    The text also dives into themes of hard work versus laziness, illustrating how diligent efforts lead to prosperity, while laziness can lead to poverty (vv. 11, 24, 27). There’s an emphasis on the value of integrity, suggesting that those who pursue honesty and justice are viewed favorably, both by others and by God. 

    Furthermore, Proverbs 12 encourages self-control and the ability to manage one’s emotions, suggesting that a person who can control their anger is stronger than a warrior. It also provides insight into the importance of wise companionship and the influences of relationships, suggesting that associating with wise individuals can enhance personal growth (vv. 25, 26). 

    Overall, Proverbs 12 serves as a guide to living a virtuous life, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, the benefits of righteous living, and the impact of our words and actions on ourselves and our communities.

    Oh God, please forgive me for my sins, through the blood of Jesus (1 Jn. 1:8-2:2). I open myself to embrace Your wisdom and will reject the pathway of fools. Enable me wisdom and boldness to speak as I ought, that others may be blessed (and not discouraged) by my words (Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:2-6). I want to be a worker for you, O Lord; therefore, enable me to embrace honest labor, as well as opportunities to serve in ways that will help others, physically. Grant me a more perfect understanding and resolve to rule my own spirit also, that you may be glorified through me (Jn. 17:20-23). I want to know true success, in Your eyes, O God. Thank You for Your tender mercies and blessings. These things I petition in Jesus’ name, amen (Jn. 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24).   

  • Pleas for Help

    Thinking about asking God for help, we sometimes use the word in very self-centered ways. For example, I might ask my children, “Can you ‘help’ me with the chores? I’ll pick it up, and you run the vacuum.” Or “Can you ‘help’ me do some yard work? I’ll rake the pine straw, and you place the piles into a bag.” So essentially, I ask them to “add their strength to mine” in these mundane things. I would like them to assist me. Such a supplication infers that I have plenty of strength and merely need some assistance.

    But if I am not careful, I can ask God for help in self-centered ways, forgetting that He is the source of all ability that I own. For example, I might flippantly entreat God to, “Please ‘help’ my friend struggling with her health concerns.” All the while, subconsciously implying that, “Since my friend and her body are doing all the hard work, God, please come along and ‘help’ her body to heal.”

    God is not merely supporting our strength; He is the source and sustainer of all (Acts 17:25-28)! When we ask for His help, we invite His infinite power to further work in our life. Maybe to improve my thinking, I could pray this manner: “Father, by Your infinite power and wisdom, please heal my friend’s body.” It would be more than just saying, “Help heal my friend’s body.” Instead, I’d acknowledge Him as the healer, and ask Him to do HIS WORK to restore her health. My friend can participate in her rehabilitation, but God’s power ultimately brings true healing, even through providential means (James 5:15-18). I can also pray, “Father, grant wisdom to those ministering to her, like the doctors, nurses, and therapists so that they can provide her with the best care possible.” Such goes beyond simply saying, “Help her medical team.” Additionally, I may pray, “God, empower me to love and support her well.” Remembering that God is not just an assistant in our lives is essential. Recognize that while God is infinite and all-powerful, we are finite and weak. Therefore, I can thus pray, “God, please ENABLE me to minister to others effectively!”

    Let me be clear: I do not wish to sensationalize God’s work in our lives, suggesting that mankind shouldn’t put any effort into such things. I also understand that many passages entreat God for His help, implying that special times call for the entreating of God’s special response (Psalm 12:1; 20:2; 22:19; 37:40). I simply wish to evoke that our consciousness of God and His work in our lives be more present. God doesn’t merely assist us; He empowers us. He doesn’t just add a little strength; instead, HE PROVIDES us with the very strength needed to reach out and accomplish all tasks (John 15:5; Heb. 1:3). So instead of asking God to “lend a hand” or give us a “handout,” let’s OPEN OUR HEARTS to our infinite and loving Father, ENTREATING HIM to be who He promises: “our refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT HELP in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

    For more studies on prayer, visit the Prayer collection. If you are looking for a place to begin studying Jesus and the gospel, visit Looking for Jesus?.

  • Praying for a Happy New Year in 2025

    So often, many start the new year wanting to set goals and read their Bibles more ambitiously. People also set goals to better themselves physically, financially, etc. Setting goals in the new year motivates me to “get better.” It’s just an overall refreshing exercise. Still, I have experienced varying success and failure in fulfilling those New Year’s resolutions. 

    Here is a very simplified plan of attack for my new year, which may encourage you somehow. My goal for this year is to read the Bible in its entirety while also reading one Psalm a day as part of my reading. I will also pray more fervently ABOUT my daily Bible reading. Additionally, I will pray continually for myself and my family, my brethren, and my friends, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses—while giving God thanks and offering supplications on our behalf. 

    Another big resolution for this year is to do more outreach on a personal level. I want to encourage relationship-building this year genuinely. That will be one of my main focuses, and I ask for your prayers to help me engage more with others (Eph. 6:19). While I don’t consider myself an introvert, stepping out of my comfort zone to make sincere connections requires effort. I genuinely believe this is something I can improve on and help spread the gospel according to God’s design (John 13:35; Rom. 12:10; 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8). 

    May the Lord bless you richly in your efforts to glorify Him this next year. 2025 will be a great blessing for you, your family, the local community you live in, and the nation where we dwell. Let us help our fellow citizens recognize that the most excellent citizenship one can have is that of heaven (Phil. 3:12), and the only way to become a citizen of heaven is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Acts 4:12). Have you done that? If not, then why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

  • Summary & Prayer from Paul’s Work in Rome

    Paul declared to the Jewish leaders that he had committed no wrongdoing and was taken prisoner by the Romans (after being delivered from the Jews). Even though the Romans were willing to set him free, the Jews objected, prompting Paul to appeal to Caesar. Despite being bound in chains, Paul did not complain against his own people to the emperor. Instead, he wore his chains for the sake of the hope of Israel. 

    The Jews were curious about Paul and had not received any updates from Judea regarding him. They wanted to hear him speak and learn more about “this sect.” On the day of his preaching, Paul talked about Jesus and the Kingdom of God, using evidence from Moses and the prophets to support his claims. Some people believed his message, while others did not! Isaiah’s warning was relevant to the occasion, and the Gentiles were more receptive to the message than the Jews. 

    The discourse must have been a powerful one, with even a Roman soldier nearby listening in. Luke used a balanced expression to indicate that some people believed in what Paul said, while others did not. This might suggest that the Jews were divided, with about half of them in agreement and the other half not. If the division had been more one-sided, Luke likely would have used words like “few” and “many” to describe it.

    17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 

    18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 

    19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 

    20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

    21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 

    22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

    23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 

    24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

    25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 

    26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

    27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’

    28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 

    29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

    ~ Acts 28:17-29

    Holy God and Father, You alone, are worthy to be praised. Please help me in learning important lessons from Paul and the Jews… I want to be like Paul, willing to follow wherever You lead me, even if that means being persecuted for spreading the gospel. May I never become bitter towards those who falsely accuse me. I want to eagerly accept all Your teaching and learn more of Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. I also want to help others to see Jesus within those Scriptures! Please help me to effectively persuade others with strong evidence (from Your word). Moreover, enable me to remain personally convicted, even if others don’t believe the evidence themselves. Give me the courage to be as bold as Paul, and to consider the hearts of those in my audience when sharing the gospel… I understand that You will take away your blessings from those who don’t accept what You have to offer. May I wholeheartedly accept Your will and live it in the right way. And please lead me to those who are more receptive to Your word. Thank you.

  • A Prayer Concerning the Gift of Love 

    1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 

    2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

    3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

    4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

    5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

    6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 

    7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

    8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 

    9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 

    10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

    11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

    12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

    13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

    ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    Dear God and Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. It is crucial to always remember that having love is of the utmost importance, regardless of any abilities I may possess in service to You. I pray that You help me understand the true nature of Your love, experience it in my life, and be complete in it. Furthermore, I pray that I can demonstrate the appropriate love towards all fellow men, women, and children. I am grateful for the opportunity to read Your completed revelation and ask that You enable me to continue learning and growing, until fully comprehending all things.