"Pray Like..."

“Pray like…”

“Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13 

Most know if we are in need, we can approach God in prayer with our petitions and requests. But when our prayer life is running dry, has the focus been on the act of praying rather than who we’re praying to? Are we praying in the Spirit?

We’ve come to learn it’s fairly easy to ask for what we need or want from God in prayer. However, God doesn’t exist simply to answer prayer in any way that we want, as if He is our valet or servant. Many people try to reduce God to this level but will always fail, for this isn’t the loving and intimate relationship that He desires to have with each of us. Rather, it’s a cold and selfish transactional exchange that isn’t beneficial for our spiritual growth.

In our needs, the Lord desires to hear from each one of His children in prayer. For those who have no relationship with Him today, but have been receptive to the call of the Holy Spirit, the Lord wants to change your heart- from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh, and desires that you place your new tender heart in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 36:26). Prayer of repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior is essential in that first step for salvation.

Regardless if you’ve been praying for decades, or just started your relationship with Jesus, the question comes back around: Are you praying in the Spirit? 

The Intention of Prayer 

The intention of prayer isn’t to change the mind of God, or to move His hand to meet our desires. God will have His way regardless, as His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). We can trust that His plans are always for good even if we don’t understand, nor experience those good plans while we walk this earth (Romans 8:28). God wants to see our total dependence upon Him in prayer that’s persistent (John 15:5, Psalm 62:5-8), and when appropriate for that believer, in prayer and fasting. Prayer is for our benefit. 

How We Should Pray

Jesus showed His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13. Let’s look at it’s content, and how to model our own prayers:

Our Father in heaven, your name be honored as holy. 

In love, awe, and adoration, we as God’s children have the privilege of calling Him our Father, as He is the Father of our spirits (John 1:12, Hebrews 12:9). May we always come to Him exclusively in reverence, acknowledging Him as holy, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Because of the Father’s holiness and our sinfulness, we are able to directly approach Him in prayer solely because of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. As Jesus now stands in the gap between us and God the Father, we are no longer considered enemies (Romans 5:10). In acknowledging His holiness and His acceptance of us, we can thank the Lord for the many blessings that He’s bestowed upon us- blessings we don’t deserve, but His grace, mercy, and love has made it possible.

It starts with thanking Jesus for His work on the cross, His resurrection, and giving you eternal life with Him. When you understand that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and it’s impossible to come to the Father (and gain everlasting life) without Him (John 14:6), the surrendered heart starts to pour out rivers of thankfulness!

“Our” in “Our Father” denotes a plurality, that we are all brethren (or brothers and sisters), and we are to pray for one another.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray that you only desire the will of the Father, and not to be led by your own will that isn’t aligned with His. When we become more like Christ, requests not in His will fall away, as they won’t be important to us. Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

Give us today our daily bread.

Give us what we need for today. Give us the wisdom and discernment and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Like the manna that God supplied to the Israelites each morning for the day’s survival, give us what we need in spirit and the things of comfort for this life. We don’t need to be concerned for tomorrow, nor anxious for anything (Philippians 4:6-7), for Jesus said that tomorrow “will worry about itself.”

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Forgive us of our sins and disobedience. We should have forgiven anyone for any offenses they have made against us, for the Lord will ignore our prayers and petitions otherwise.

And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Pray that God take away sufferings and trials to test us, and temptations that will lead us into evil. And if He doesn’t take them away, we pray that He give us the strength to endure them. Pray for God to take away anything that will come between you and Him. “Take this from my desire if this is not of you, if this will bring me heartache, pain, confusion, or takes my heart from you.”

After Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He reiterates the importance of forgiveness amongst us. And when Jesus repeats a command, it’s for a reason. Our Savior forgave us of our heinous sins and bore those sins upon Himself in death on the cross, hence we should always forgive one another:

“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

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Health

Best Magnesium For Sleep: What You Need to Know

If you find it difficult to get to sleep at night, it may be due to a magnesium deficiency. Approximately 30% of adults struggle with insomnia, and magnesium is gaining popularity as a natural sleep aid supplement. The people at greatest risk of magnesium deficiency include women, older adults, people who drink alcohol regularly, and those who have a diet high in convenience foods and processed foods.

Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in various body functions, including the balance of neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers send signals between the brain and the rest of the body, playing a key role in mood, sleep, memory and muscle movement. If anxiety or racing thoughts keep you from getting to sleep or wake you up, magnesium may shift the balance toward the relaxing neurotransmitters and help you sleep.

Magnesium also has a role in the production of melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

Higher levels of magnesium in the body are associated with better sleep, longer sleep times, and less tiredness during the day. Studies of older adults who took 500 mg of elemental magnesium a day for eight weeks had significant improvements in sleep duration and sleep latency.

What Is The Best Magnesium for Sleep?

There are several types of magnesium supplements, and each has potential benefits for your brain and body. Though not a complete list, the following are forms of magnesium that may best help improve sleep quality without a laxative effect:

• Magnesium L-threonate: This form of magnesium has potential cognitive benefits. Research suggests magnesium L-threonate may improve cognitive function, address age-related insomnia in older adults, and contribute to a more tranquil sleep. Magnesium l-threonate also has high brain bioavailability, which means it can be easily and quickly accessed and used by the brain.

• Magnesium glycinate: Magnesium glycinate is magnesium bound to glycine (an amino acid). Easy for the body to absorb, magnesium glycinate is known for its calming properties and may promote relaxation and sleep. Research shows that magnesium glycinate may help relax the mind and body, potentially reducing stress and anxiety that can interfere with sleep.

Magnesium glycinate is generally considered the best form of magnesium for sleep, however.

Reasons Why Magnesium Glycinate Is Effective For Sleep 

• Calming Effect:

  Glycine, an amino acid in magnesium glycinate, has calming properties that help relax the nervous system and promote sleep. 

• Improved Sleep Quality:

  Magnesium glycinate can help improve sleep duration and reduce nighttime awakenings. 

• Easy On The Stomach:

  Unlike other forms of magnesium, magnesium glycinate is less likely to cause digestive upset, making it a comfortable option for those with sensitive stomachs. 

• Highly Bioavailable:

  Magnesium glycinate is readily absorbed by the body, ensuring that the magnesium can effectively support sleep. 

Important Considerations: 

• Though generally safe, consult with your licensed nutritionist, naturopathic doctor or medical doctor before consuming magnesium or any other sleep aid.†* 

• Start with a lower dose and gradually increase it as needed. 

• Take magnesium glycinate about 30 minutes before bedtime. 

• Combine magnesium supplementation with other healthy sleep habits, such as a regular sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine.  

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}