Jesus provided a prayer pattern in Matthew 6. Jesus urges us to view prayer not as a duty but as a delight and a privilege. God already knows our needs even before we ask Him! Let's look into the pattern Jesus taught us on how to unleash God’s power through prayer:

OUR FATHER… The initial focus is on GOD. This is revolutionary. While the Old Testament mentions God's fatherhood to nations, in the New Testament, He is OUR Father—a personal, deeply connected relationship. Despite negative experiences with earthly fathers, we should not let them taint our perception of the perfect Father we have in God! (Matthew 7:11) 

WHO IS IN HEAVEN… God is Almighty, possessing all resources, complete power, and authority! To pray towards the God in heaven acknowledges His ultimate sovereignty. We are blessed to have direct and full access to our loving Father in heaven! 

HALLOWED… Derived from the Greek word HAGIAZO, meaning holy, we glorify His Name. By doing so, we commit to living our lives in a way that honors Him—our actions, speech, and lifestyle. To UNLEASH God’s power, we must focus on Him and hallow His Name, desiring to honor Him daily. 

YOUR KINGDOM COME… “Kingdom” is from the Greek word BASILEA (“rule” or “reign”). To pray for His Kingdom come focuses on the greatness of our Father, the King of kings! Our lives must therefore reflect royalty. Yes, we are sinners, but are sinners SAVED BY GRACE. By faith, believing in Jesus the Son of God, we become His children (John 1:12). This is how GREAT the LOVE of GOD is– we are part of this great kingdom, and we shall reign with Jesus forever (1 John 3:1).  

YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN… We declare that we are ready and willing to obey God’s will for our lives. We pray to hear from God and determine what His will is – what does He want us to say, think, or do. Is God LORD over all your time and habits? If we sincerely wish to follow God, we need to follow His Word, and live a life that focuses on God. 

In the Old Testament, King Jehoshaphat encountered a formidable challenge with enemies surrounding Judah (2 Chronicles 20). Instead of succumbing to fear, Jehoshaphat turned to prayer, focusing on God's identity and past faithfulness. His prayer, deeply rooted in knowledge of God's Word, exemplifies the transformative power of aligning with God's will. Jehoshaphat admitted his helplessness and surrendered to God, seeking divine guidance. 

God's response affirmed that the battle was His, leading to a remarkable turn of events. By placing worship at the forefront, Jehoshaphat not only prayed but also worshipped, praised, and gave thanks to God. This act of worship magnified God's awesome nature and set the stage for His intervention. 

The story concludes with abundant spoil and great joy for God's people, showcasing the victorious outcome of Jehoshaphat's reliance on prayer and worship. This narrative serves as a powerful lesson on the transformative effects of faith, humility, and gratitude during challenges.  

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

May we also experience God’s power unleashed as we focus and surrendering everything to Him in prayer!