Cottonwood Church | Prayer week 5

Week 5

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A Prayer of Simplicity/Intimacy

Overview:

Matthew 6:5-8 teaches us that we don’t need to use fancy words in order to get God’s attention when we pray. Prayer is about encountering God’s grace, trusting in His power, and experiencing true intimacy with Him. He wants us to pray about the real details of our real lives.

Prayer Prompt for the Week:

This week, keep it simple. Don’t try to impress God through the words you pray. Come to Him with full faith that He already cares about your life because you are His child.

Prayer:

“Lord, I come before You with a broken and contrite heart. I confess my sins to You and ask for Your forgiveness. Wash me clean from all unrighteousness. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Don’t cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. I trust in Your mercy, knowing that You are faithful to forgive. I surrender my life to You and ask You to make me whole again.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Questions for Reflection:

In what ways do you find yourself trying to impress God instead of enjoying intimacy with Him?
What would it look like if your prayer life was more intimate than it was impressive?
Think about your deepest relationships (friends, spouse, family). How do you talk with them? Model this same kind of conversation with God this week.

Tips for Using This Prayer:

Start with Silence: Take 1-2 minutes each day to get quiet and listen to your own heart. What do you really feel? What really concerns you? If you’re praying as a family or in a group, feel free to share those things with each other before you begin praying.
Keep it Simple and Authentic: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Parents, you might be able to learn from your kids this week – this might be a good week to let them pray out loud for the whole family.

Additional Encouragement:

Repentance isn’t about shame; it’s about freedom and restoration. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us. May this week be a time of renewal, where we experience the joy of God’s salvation.

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