Far from God... :(

The Lord’s prayer is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Matthew 6:9-13 reads, “This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'” Many people mistakenly understand the Lord’s prayer to be a prayer we are supposed to pray word for word. Some people treat the Lord’s prayer as almost a magic formula, as if the words themselves have some specific power or influence with God.The Bible teaches us the opposite. God is far more interested in our hearts when we pray than He is in our words. Matthew 6:6 teaches us, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:7 goes on to say, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” In prayer, we are to pour out our hearts to God (Philippians 4:6-7), not simply recite memorized words to God.Instead, the Lord’s prayer should be understood as an example, a pattern of how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray. It gives us the “ingredients” that should go into prayer. Here is how it breaks down. “Our Father in heaven” is teaching us who to address our prayers to, the Father. “Hallowed be your name” is telling us to worship God, and to praise Him for who He is. The phrase “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is a reminder to us that we are to pray for God’s plan in our lives and the world, not our own plan. We are to pray for God’s will to be done, not for our desires. We are encouraged to ask God for the things we need in “give us today our daily bread.” “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” remind us to confess our sins to God and to turn from them – and then also to forgive others as God has forgiven us. The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” is a plea for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.So, again, the Lord’s prayer is not a prayer we are to memorize and recite back to God. It is only an example of how we should be praying. Is there anything wrong with memorizing the Lord’s prayer? Of course not! Is there anything wrong with praying the Lord’s prayer back to God? Not if your heart is in it and you truly mean the words you say. Remember, in prayer, God is far more interested in us communing with Him and speaking from our hearts than He is in the specific words we use. Philippians 4:6-7 declares, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”What does all this mean stop what you are doing this second say father please forgive me my sins in the name of Jesus Christ. Sorry I have taken so long to ask father as I desire to be your loving obedient child, Your will be done in my life Lord Amen thats it you dont need to neal or perform a ritual take 20 seconds to turn your thoughts toward him thats it 20 sec. surly you can handle that.

(Morning_Joy;46397)
thank you so much for replying to me, kriss how can I make sure that my prayers are heartfelt, though? I'm glad that I prayed to Him just now, but I'm scared whether, to God, it sounded like recitations or a real, heartfelt prayer. It's just that it sounds so easy, and I want to talk to our Father. But I don't always know what to say. Could this be an indication that God might not live within me?
Its like Kriss said, God doesn't worry about your words, it your heart that he pays attention to. The fact that you want pray to God, that you seriously desire to talk with God our father is good and he sees this. When praying just speak your heart. Whatever is on your mind, dump it on God. Prayer isn't just an act you do to get points with God or just because your suppose to do it. We pray to God about our troubles and worries, we pray to God to praise him and thank him for the many blessings he has bestowed upon us, we are to pray just to spend time with God, to connect.

(kriss;46393)
The Lord’s prayer is a prayer that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Matthew 6:9-13 reads, “This, then, is how you should 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 today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'” Many people mistakenly understand the Lord’s prayer to be a prayer we are supposed to pray word for word. Some people treat the Lord’s prayer as almost a magic formula, as if the words themselves have some specific power or influence with God.The Bible teaches us the opposite. God is far more interested in our hearts when we pray than He is in our words. Matthew 6:6 teaches us, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:7 goes on to say, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” In prayer, we are to pour out our hearts to God (Philippians 4:6-7), not simply recite memorized words to God.Instead, the Lord’s prayer should be understood as an example, a pattern of how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to pray. It gives us the “ingredients” that should go into prayer. Here is how it breaks down. “Our Father in heaven” is teaching us who to address our prayers to, the Father. “Hallowed be your name” is telling us to worship God, and to praise Him for who He is. The phrase “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is a reminder to us that we are to pray for God’s plan in our lives and the world, not our own plan. We are to pray for God’s will to be done, not for our desires. We are encouraged to ask God for the things we need in “give us today our daily bread.” “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” remind us to confess our sins to God and to turn from them – and then also to forgive others as God has forgiven us. The conclusion of the Lord’s prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” is a plea for help in achieving victory over sin and a request for protection from the attacks of the devil.So, again, the Lord’s prayer is not a prayer we are to memorize and recite back to God. It is only an example of how we should be praying. Is there anything wrong with memorizing the Lord’s prayer? Of course not! Is there anything wrong with praying the Lord’s prayer back to God? Not if your heart is in it and you truly mean the words you say. Remember, in prayer, God is far more interested in us communing with Him and speaking from our hearts than He is in the specific words we use. Philippians 4:6-7 declares, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”What does all this mean stop what you are doing this second say father please forgive me my sins in the name of Jesus Christ. Sorry I have taken so long to ask father as I desire to be your loving obedient child, Your will be done in my life Lord Amen thats it you dont need to neal or perform a ritual take 20 seconds to turn your thoughts toward him thats it 20 sec. surly you can handle that.
FINALLY! Somebody who agrees with me. I go to an episcopalian school and we always recite the lords prayer. I have gone to our preacher, they call him father, and pointed out to him that the bible even tells us this is just a format for prayer. Kind of showing us to pray in praise, request, and repentance. Its not something we are to quote and recite over and over. It just becomes a meaningless habit.

Pray without ceasing. You have conversations with people, have one with God. He will be more than happy to hear from you and while you are talking to Him, give Him everything whether good or bad and let Him deal with it while you let Him know you reapent and praise Him.

are you getting this morning_joy I talk to him in my mind all the time all day,and beforebefore I go to sleep during a comercial on tv I dont worry wether its right or wrong words I just trust he is always listeninghe knows my heart the words are not important. When you doubt he heard you or if its right you are doubting him just trust he's always there If you have something important to pray about you can spend more time being more specific but every time you think of him for one second it makes his day

This is very informative. I thank all of you.

(Morning_Joy;46397)
thank you so much for replying to me, kriss how can I make sure that my prayers are heartfelt, though? I'm glad that I prayed to Him just now, but I'm scared whether, to God, it sounded like recitations or a real, heartfelt prayer. It's just that it sounds so easy, and I want to talk to our Father. But I don't always know what to say. Could this be an indication that God might not live within me?
Just read the Bible for now. And pray. God will open it up for you.

You have been given some good advice here. Just remember God wants a relationship with you. Go to Him about everything. Don't worry about big fancy prayers. Just tell Him like it is. Don't worry if you stutter or stumble. Just talk to Him.

isnt saying the lords prayer over and over a "vain repetition" that the bible says to avoid? (not saying we should avoid the lords prayer here)