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How should I pray?

Many people are uncomfortable about the matter of prayer, especially praying out loud.
— I would like to share one of the most important and affective prayers found recorded in the Bible. Surely from this example we can gain instruction of how we also should pray.

Luke 23:32-43 (ESV) Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  (33)  And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  (34)  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.  (35)  And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”  (36)  The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine  (37)  and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  (38)  There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”  (39)  One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  (40)  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  (41)  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”  (42)  And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  (43)  And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Let’s begin by asking a simple question about PRAYER…  (Check all the answers you think are correct.)

Q1. What is prayer?

O – A ritual used so God will hear us.     O – Flattery and praise used to manipulate God.
O – An open and honest conversation with God.

If prayer is about talking to God, let’s look at conversations with ‘God the Son’ in Luke 23:32-43.

(Vs.34)  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.  
Q2. Is this a prayer?     O – YES.     O – NO.

Q3. If so who is praying to whom?  (Write answer here) ____________________________________________

Q4. Just to clarify this prayer of Jesus… Who is He asking God to forgive?

O – The Roman soldiers who nailed Him to the cross.     O – The people who called for His crucifixion.

O – All of mankind.

Pursuing this a little further, read part of Peter’s sermon from Act 2:36-41 (ESV) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”  (37)  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  (38)  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  (39)  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”  (40)  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  (41)  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

— It seems clear here that the crowds who were inflamed by stirred up emotions, demanding Barabbas the criminal to be released, and Jesus to be crucified, really didn’t know what they were doing.

Q5. Digging a little deeper, if they were then forgiven for crucifying Christ, were they saved?

O – YES, completely forgiven.     O – NO, they were forgiven for carrying out the sacrificial will of God, but they remained responsible for all their other sins

Q6. What can we glean from Peter’s words recorded in (Acts 2:40-41)? – And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  (41)  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

O – Those who were saved were moved to repent of all their sins.     O – Everyone there was saved.

Q7. Is your answer from Q5 & 6, in agreement with the message of salvation from Peter’s sermon found in Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

O – YES, for I believe that Jesus prayer set everyone free of all sin, so everybody is going to heaven.
O – YES, because each of us must repent and make Jesus Lord of our lives to be saved.

Getting back to the prayers found in Luke 23:32-43…

Reading Luke 23 verses (35-37) And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”  (36)  The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine  (37)  and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”

Q8. As these comments are directed at Jesus, God the Son, are they prayers?

O – Sure, they must be for they are talking to God.     O – No they are frivolous mockery, not conversation.

Luke 23 verses (39-42) One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”  (40)  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  (41)  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”  (42)  And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  

Q9. In Vs.39, is that criminal praying to Jesus?

O – NO, for he is joining in mockery with no repentance.     O – Yes, for he wants to be saved from death.

Q10. Why did Jesus answer the calls of the second criminal in Vs.40-42?

O – God likes to play favorites.     O – He accepts Jesus as Lord with repentance and a humble request.

I’ve a conclusion for this study ‘In Song’ – The song titled ‘I Pour Out My Heart’

Here I am once again… I pour out my heart… For I know that You hear…

Every cry… You are listening… No matter what state my heart is in…

You are faithful to answer… With words that are true… And a hope that is real.

As I feel Your touch… You bring a freedom to all that’s within… In the safety of this place… I’m longing to…

Pour out my heart, to say that I love You… Pour out my heart, to say that I need You.
Pour out my heart, to say that I’m thankful… Pour out my heart, To say that You’re Wonderful!

Written by: Craig Musseau © 1994 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing

How should I pray? – Just speak to God knowing He is good, and He loves you. It doesn’t have to be aloud it simply has to be from the heart. – God bless you as you do! (P.S. I know He will… KK)