Teach us how to pray

Prayer can sometimes feel like a chore—a list of requests we rattle off, hoping God hears. But what if prayer could be a vibrant, transformative encounter with God? My friend, Daniel Henderson, a seasoned pastor and the President of Strategic Renewal, offers a practical and biblical way to deepen your prayer life through his 4/4 model. Rooted in the Lord’s Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), this approach reorients us from seeking God’s hand to seeking His face. Let’s explore how it works and try it out with a familiar Psalm.
What Is the 4/4 Model?
Henderson’s 4/4 model breaks the Lord’s Prayer into four distinct “strokes,” like a musical rhythm, guiding us through a natural flow of worship and communion with God. Each stroke corresponds to a section of Jesus’ model prayer, moving us upward, downward, inward, and outward. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Reverence (Upward) – “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
   Start by focusing on God’s character and greatness, praising Him for who He is. He already knows what we need, so seek his face before we seek his hand. 
2. Response (Downward) – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
   Surrender to God’s will, aligning your heart with His purposes as revealed in Scripture. Prayer is not meant to pull God to me but rather my heart to God's heart.  
3. Requests (Inward) – “Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
   Bring your needs and confessions to God, trusting Him to provide and restore. Intimacy is restored through confession and repentance.  
4. Readiness (Outward) – “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
   Prepare for spiritual battle, asking for strength and protection to live out your faith.

This isn’t a rigid formula but a framework to keep prayer God-centered and dynamic. Henderson emphasizes using Scripture to fuel each step, letting God’s Word guide your conversation with Him.
Why Use This Model?
Prayer isn’t about bending God to our will—it’s about encountering Him. The 4/4 model shifts us from a “grocery list” mindset to a worship-based dialogue, rooted in Jesus’ own instructions. It’s simple enough for daily use yet deep enough to transform how you connect with God. By the way, when the disciples asked, teach us to pray, he gave a model... not something to be recited like a ritual.  It has the elements that we need in our own prayer!
Putting It Into Practice: Praying Through Psalm 23
Let’s walk through the 4/4 model using Psalm 23, a passage rich with truth about God’s character and care. Grab your Bible, read the Psalm, and pray along with these prompts.

1. Reverence (Upward)
   Prompt: Praise God for who He is, based on what the Scripture reveals.
   Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
   Prayer: “Lord, You are my Shepherd—faithful, strong, and tender. I praise You for Your guidance and provision. You’re not distant; You lead me personally. Hallowed be Your name for Your loving care!”
2. Response (Downward)
   Prompt: Yield to God’s will, asking for His kingdom priorities to shape your life.
   Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
   Prayer: “Father, I surrender to Your restoring work. Lead me in Your righteous paths, not mine. Let Your will unfold in my life today—for Your glory, not my agenda. Your kingdom come in me.”
3. Requests (Inward)
   Prompt: Present your needs and seek forgiveness, trusting God’s provision.
   Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
   Prayer: “Lord, I need Your presence in my struggles—[name a specific valley you’re facing]. Forgive me for fearing instead of trusting. Comfort me with Your rod and staff, and meet my needs as I lean on You.”
4. Readiness (Outward)
   Prompt: Ask for strength to stand firm and live victoriously.
   Psalm 23:5 – “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
   Prayer: “God, equip me to face opposition today. Deliver me from temptation and the enemy’s schemes. Let me walk in Your victory, reflecting Your goodness and mercy to others.”

Tips for Using the 4/4 Model

• Start with Scripture: Pick a Psalm, a Gospel story, or any passage that speaks to you. Let God’s Word spark your prayer.
• Keep It Flexible: Don’t rush through the steps. Linger where the Spirit leads—maybe you need more reverence one day, more requests the next.
• Make It Personal: Tailor the prompts to your life. The model’s power is in its adaptability.
• Pray Aloud (If You Can).
• end with Reverence if you have time.  It's just a good practice (the sandwich of worship!)

The Fruit of This Prayer
This method slows me down.  The steps get my focus off myself and back on God. I get off the throne of my life and put Jesus in his rightful spot.  Worship isn't because God needs it, it's because I need it! (Reverence).  Next, what this model does is to realign my priorities to God's (Response), and puts me in a place where I am trusting Him with specifics but also where I've sought his face first before his hand so I don't just see him as a vending machine (Requests).  Lastly, I leave feeling ready for the day (Readiness). When I do this, prayer is less of a chore and something like Psalm 23 becomes more than words on a page—it becomes a living conversation.
This pattern reminds us that prayer is about intimacy with God, not just outcomes. The 4/4 model, grounded in the Lord’s Prayer, offers a biblical path to that intimacy. So, next time you pray, open your Bible, follow the rhythm, and let God lead the way. You might just find your faith—and your heart—transformed. By the way, we pray every Sunday morning at 8am for the services and this is the model we use.  I would love it if you joined us in the prayer room!  Best ministry at the church!