Prayer is an extremely important component of our Christian life but many of us struggle with prayer. Even Jesus disciples weren’t sure how to pray, asking him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus replied by teaching the disciples what we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” Let's look at the components of this powerful prayer.

Don’t forget what God thinks of you and the reason he sent Jesus to us - the season we celebrate in Lent. He came because you are his. He came because he loves you. He came because you are his kid, his prize, his masterpiece, his greatest joy, and he will not stand for your separation from him. Out of his love he has made a way. Out of his love he has endured the cross. Out of his pride, joy, passion, and love he calls you his own.

God is also an authority, as well as a Father. How can I see him in love, while living with PTSD? It’s been hard for me to accept God as an authority. The way we see our earthly fathers is often the way we see God. Was God like my father, waiting to let me have it? Over time, God showed me he was nothing like my abusive Dad.

I believed that I didn’t have any obligation to show respect to someone unless they earned it. Our culture agreed with me: we respect people who are inspiring, possess admirable talents or reach respect-worthy positions in the public eye. But what if people don’t have to earn our respect?

We come to God with whatever our problem is, whatever the decision we need to make, with whatever abilities we have, and we say, "I am just offering it all to you. I'm not going to follow the world's wisdom or even my own limited wisdom. I'm going to seek your wisdom, O God."