By Todd Barrier  

How do you use prayer? That might sound like a funny question, but I think it is one we should ask ourselves.  

Do we only pray when things go bad? When we need something? When we want something?  

To praise God for His blessings? On behalf of others? Mostly physical needs versus spiritual needs?  

All of these are things we can and do pray for.  

What is your focus during prayer? Does the Bible give us a guide? I believe so.  

One of those places is in Matthew 6:9-13: “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”  

The Bible reminds us of who we are praying to. We are reminded to seek His will, to ask for our physical needs, to seek forgiveness and to request delivery from temptations and safety from the enemy. It also reminds us of His power to be able to answer these prayers.  

We tend to focus on single-minded things, whereas God commands us to be well rounded in our prayers, and that can include physical and spiritual needs.  

What are you praying about?