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[Evan Cake]

Sorry, I know this is a very basic question! And I have Googled, but it's useful to hear from 'real' people.

I'm reading the Bible for the first time (new to Christianity) and today I read the part of the Sermon on the Mount that concerns praying. Jesus says not to babble, because God already knows what's in your heart, and then says you should pray like [The Lord's Prayer].

Now I've been babbling, definitely. But also, people often talk shout praying for other people, and for health and assistance with problems etc. Do they mean that they thought about those things but actually only prayed The Lord's Prayer, or some other prayer in the Bible? Or are Jesus' words hyperbole somehow or am I missing context?

Thanks!

[jimwalton]

I find that prayer is more conversation (sharing my thoughts) than it is asking for stuff. I hardly ever ask God for stuff. that's not the kind of relationship I want to have. I want to treat Him as my God, not Santa Claus. I just tell Him my thoughts through the day, my questions, what I'm thinking.

I also "pray" the Bible. When I read texts, I meditate on them (rehearse them repeatedly in my mind), and do everything possible not only to make sense of them but to think rightly about them. I find that as I think about them, God not only helps me understand but sends thoughts to my head that are good thoughts.

That's how I pray most of the time.

I find myself praying some thoughts over and over. I pray these things A LOT:

• God, I need you.
• Make Your heart my heart, your mind my mind, your hands my hands, your feet my feet.
• All that matters is God's will and God's kingdom.