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Joseph Scriven wrote the famous hymn “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.” One stanza says, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear — all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” God’s gift of prayer is the most powerful communications medium known to humans. It is no wonder Jesus taught us how to pray. We read this in Matthew 6: “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees, everything, will reward you. … Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Later, Jesus told us to use His name when we pray because His death and resurrection gives believers access to God’s great resources. Now, since Jesus has taught us how to pray, may we do it often and earnestly. In so doing we can have more peace and less pain.
