Corrie Ten Boom once asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

My heart’s desire is to live a life guided by prayer. I want to intentionally pray over every facet of my life… from daily tasks to my family to God’s work among the nations.

Being diligent in prayer is not my idea, but rather, something we all learn from studying the life of Jesus.

As Christ’s followers we are being transformed into His image daily (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is a comprehensive transformation that affects everything … from our character to our prayer life.

Praying Like Jesus

In Luke 11, Christ’s disciples recognized that, after their time with Christ on earth, their relationship to their Heavenly Father would be different than before. As they watched Jesus, they discerned that everything would be affected… even the way they prayed.

“He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” – Luke 11:2

Christ-modeled prayer is centered on the exaltation of God’s Name and the reality of His Kingdom on earth.

“Give us each day our daily bread.” – Luke 11:3

One of my dear friends likes to say that Christianity is a daily faith…daily we abide, daily we trust, and daily we ask God to provide our needs.

Praying for Forgiveness

“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.'” – Luke 11:4a

Jesus calls us to seek repentance and forgiveness. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection wholly justifies all who place their trust in Him… but daily repentance is required as an ongoing effort for the believer.

“And lead us not into temptation.” – Luke 11:4b

Lastly, we are taught to pray to be protected from temptation to the sins that taint our relationship with the Father.

In the words of John Piper, “Until you know that life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for.”

This life is a battle against the kingdom of darkness, and prayer is a powerful weapon against the schemes of our enemy.

Will you follow Jesus’ model for prayer as you walk with Him today?