#2 Two Kinds of Prayer
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through Him, the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
So much of the Christian experience, especially in prayer, has been taught from a place of performance. We think we need to pray long enough, loud enough, or with enough fervency to get God to act. But here’s the truth:
"The reality is, He has moved. He has given us all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3).
"We know His will because we know His character."
"We know what is legally ours in the blood of Christ."
When you pray, you’re not twisting God’s arm. You’re aligning your heart with what He’s already accomplished through Jesus. You’re reminding your soul that Jesus has already given you everything you need for life and godliness.
Three Questions to Ask When Praying
Whenever you enter into prayer, ask yourself three key questions:
Who is God in this situation?
Is He your Healer? Your Provider? Your Shepherd? Every name of God reflects His unchanging character. Prayer begins by anchoring yourself in who He is. You can trust the character of God and always expect him to be who he is when you pray.
What did Jesus accomplish through His death, burial, and resurrection?
If it was finished at the cross, you have every right to expect to experience it.
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him, the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Speaking the "Amen" is laying a brick on the foundation of truth. It’s agreement. It’s settled.
What do I need right now?
James 1:5 gives you permission to ask boldly:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
There’s no shame, no guilt, no reprimand. Just a Father ready to guide you.
Faith, Not Fear
Too often, our prayers are fear-based. We beg, plead, and worry our way through them. But James 1:6-8 warns us about this:
"Let him ask in faith, with no doubting... For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind... a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
We can’t afford to be double-minded. And yet, many of us live as if we are two people. We must bring our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs into unity with what God has declared.
"Faith is a response. It’s seeing God rightly and aligning our lives with that truth."
Bringing Every Thought Captive
We often treat spiritual warfare like a fight against external forces. But the battle is in the mind. We’re told to bring every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), but captive to what?
"Arrest every thought that contradicts the finished work of Jesus, His righteousness, His victory, and His love."
Refuse to entertain thoughts rooted in shame, fear, guilt, striving, or lack. Measure every thought against the obedience of Christ—because it is through His obedience that we are justified and made free.
Walking Through the Lord’s Prayer: A Framework for Transformation
Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer not as a rote repetition but as a framework. Here’s how I walk through it, phrase by phrase:
“Our Father, who art in heaven”
Start with relationship. This was a radical shift for Jesus' audience. Calling God "Father" implies intimacy, connection, and identity. Let His Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are His child (Romans 8:16).
2. “Hallowed be thy name”
This is worship. Acknowledge His holiness and set apart His name in your heart.
3. “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”
This is kingdom alignment. Expect heaven to manifest here. Yield your will to His. Repent if your life is out of sync with His desire.
4. “give us this day our daily bread”
Bring your needs to Him. He knows what you need before you ask (Matthew 6:8), and He values you more than birds or flowers (Matthew 6:26-30).
5. “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
Affirm your forgiveness in Christ, and extend that grace to others. Not to earn righteousness, but to walk free from bitterness.
6. “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”
This is awareness. God doesn’t tempt (James 1:13), but we ask for discernment to walk in the Spirit and avoid pitfalls.
7. “for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever”
End with Lordship. Affirm His rule, power, and eternal glory over your life.
Jesus’ Model for Prayer
Here’s a simple framework to use as you engage in prayer:
Relationship
Lordship
Worship
Kingdom Alignment
Obedience
Needs
Repentance and Humility
Spiritual Awareness
Authority and Glory
I encourage you to slowly walk through the Lord’s Prayer daily. Write out your responses. Ask, Does this feel true to me? Do I believe this applies to me? What thought or emotion do I need to surrender to walk in this truth?
