Recently I was reminded of a little test that that my husband gives to our vehicles.  As he is driving, he will let go of the steering wheel ever so briefly to determine if the wheels are properly aligned.  If he sees that the alignment is off, he will schedule an appointment with the mechanic to have the car aligned. What caused these thoughts to come to my mind?

As I was entering a time of prayer, both phone calls and texts kept interrupting my prayer. Being distracted, a truth from Scripture came to mind. In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to properly pray without hypocrisy. They were instructed to personally and privately pray to the Father in secret.  They were told to go into their closet (private room) and SHUT THE DOOR. I clearly saw that I had failed to “shut the door” as I entered prayer. I should have silenced my phone, or better yet, completely put it away. In that way my full attention could be on the Lord Himself. That was my good and profitable lesson for the day. Or was there more?

My heart and mind were drawn to the full passage. Of course, all believers know this model prayer, have heard it recited, have recited it ourselves, and most can quote it verbatim. But as I walked through those verses, the Lord caused me to do a little “examination” (much in the same way that my husband checked the alignment on our vehicles.) Was my prayer life in “alignment” with Jesus’ teachings on prayer?

Now, I fully know that we have great freedom in prayer.  We can and should pray about everything! Psalm 62:8 says:  Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Yes, we are to pour out our hearts to our Lord!

Yet, there were some truths from this passage in which I needed to be refreshed.

1. Praise – Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Did I begin my prayer, unhurried, bowed before my Heavenly Father, praising His holy name? Did I take time to thank Him for Who He is, a loving, merciful, and good God, One always faithful to His children? Did I take time to acknowledge His amazing, but undeserved, grace and goodness poured out upon us? Indeed, did I begin with His Holy Name? Or, sadly, how often did I begin with me, my wants, my needs, or my desires, whether for me or for someone else?

2. Priorities – Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What are my priorities in prayer? Is it His rule and reign, both now, in my life and the lives of others, as well as in the future? Are my priorities, thus prayers, in line with His will or are they according to my own will? Are my priorities according to His kingdom and His righteousness? Or how much of my prayers are more concerned with physical or earthly things? Much to consider.

3. Provision – Give us this day our daily bread.

Ah, so now we come to our needs.  Scripture teaches that our Father already knows what we need! Yet, we have the privilege to bow before Him and specifically bring our requests to Him. What a blessing! There is no need to worry, nor to strive to accomplish things in our own strength. Our Father is the One Who provides for our needs, both spiritually and physically. Am I bringing my needs to Him, trusting that as a perfect Heavenly Father, He will answer?

4. Proper relationships – And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Do I know with assurance that I have been forgiven of my sins by God through the finished work of Jesus Christ? Do I confess my sins and find that He is faithful and just to forgive them and cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1John 1:8-9)? Or do I deny, ignore, excuse, or dismiss when I act or speak in a way that falls short of reflecting Him? Being in a proper relationship with God the Father means that I have experienced His forgiveness and humbly confess when I fail/falter/sin.  In His faithfulness He keeps that relationship restored. His forgiveness is key!

And in the same way, do I forgive others as Jesus has forgiven me? I was reminded that the word forgiveness means: to send away or to leave behind. God doesn’t hold our sins against us.  They are gone! He remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12)! Do I, in prayer, forgive those who have sinned against me, as God forgave me? From the heart, do I send those sins away, carrying them in my heart no more? Or do I harbor unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness? God’s grace to me is what enables me to be gracious and forgiving to others! My Heavenly Father requires that ALL my earthly relationships are properly aligned.  Again, forgiveness is the key!

5.. Protection – And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.

Oh, how I need protection! Do I even realize the weakness of my flesh? Do I fully believe that the devil is our adversary and walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)? In prayer, do I call out for protection for myself and others who I lift up in prayer? Surely, the need for protection is great as Jesus taught His disciples to pray in this way!

6. Praise – For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Can I ever praise my God enough? He hears and answers prayers! His kingdom – He rules and reigns over all … in His righteousness! His power – His Almighty power can and will accomplish all things according to His will! And oh, His glory – reflecting His magnificence in all His works and ways! Forever and ever. Amen!! And all believers have been given the privilege of bowing before our God and pouring out our hearts before Him!

What I came to understand through this passage is that sometimes my spiritual life needs a “realignment”! Sometimes I need more time in His Word. Sometimes I need obedience to the Word I already know. But sometimes the “realignment” needed is in my prayer life … a prayer life filled with praise, a prayer life with God’s priorities, a prayer life beseeching Him for provision and protection, and a prayer life filled with forgiveness … both from Him and toward others! And it has been my experience that those truths will bring refreshed prayer!