But YOU When You Pray: Another Look At The Lord's Prayer

By Rick Hill

Life is filled with uncertainty. That is seen in the word LIFE, itself. Between the first and last letters, there is an IF in the middle. Those “ifs” are the impetus for the ups and downs of life. God has promised to walk with us through all the “ifs” of our life. He’s neither oblivious nor unconcerned. And He invites us to talk with Him about it. That’s what prayer is all about – talking with God. But how do we do that? What do we say? “But YOU, When You Pray” is a guide to pray effectively, to commune with the God Who created us.
Jesus gave His disciples the “How To Do It” prayer. It’s called “The Lord’s Prayer,” but in reality, it’s ours. It’s the model prayer for us to follow. It’s not intended to be “mimicked,” but to be used as a guide for effective praying. “But YOU, When You Pray” walks you through the model prayer and, when put into practice, enhances your relationship with God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Father's Press
• Release date: May 20, 2011

Rick Hill

Pastor Rick was born in Arizona and raised in Southern California. He is an alumnus of San Diego State University, West Coast Christian College, Melodyland School of Theology, and California Graduate School of Theology. Rick has served the Christian community as pastor, missionary, and conference speaker. He is the founding pastor of Hillside Community Church in Julian, California where he now serves as senior pastor. He is married to Janet, his wife of 35 years.

Book preview

But You When You Pray

Another Look At the Lord’s Prayer

By

Rick Hill

Smashwords Edition

PUBLISHED By:

Father’s Press on Smashwords. Copyright Nov, 2008 Rick Hill. First printing, November 2008. All rights reserved.

Rick Hill holds the copyright of this book and has granted the exclusive right to publish it to Father’s Press

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Pastor Rick has written an easy read book on the Lord's Prayer that is insightful, educational, and spiritually enriching. He has opened up a prayer we say all the time in Church, to discover a new life in our time with God through prayer. Rick Malec, United Methodist Church, Vista, CA.

In a sea of books on prayer, Pastor Rick has emerged with a very informative book on the matter that is both fresh and insightful. It is an easy read, yet each time you do, you come away with another thought or truth that will challenge and enrich your time with God. Thanks Pastor Rick! Jack Bates, Valley Community Church, Newhall, CA.

When I hear the word pastor, the face I see in my mind is that of Rick Hill. He has a true shepherd's heart—and the kind of relationship with God that I want to have. If Rick said to me, Let's go get a cup of coffee; I want to share with you what I have learned about prayer, I would jump at the chance. This book is the next best thing. It is God's truth poured through a shepherd's heart. Greg Sidders, Senior Pastor: Sunridge Community Church Temecula, CA

Pastor Rick never forgets that we are, at the end of the day, supposed to be doers of the Word and not merely hearers. While there are plenty of books on prayer, this one is written from a shepherd who cares that God's people not only understand His instruction, but also know how to apply it to their lives. When you put this book down, two things will be true: First, you'll know more about prayer. Second, you'll be inspired to pray more!" Pastor Chico Goff, Founding Pastor, Mission Hills Church, San Marcos, CA.

Cover: The pictures on the cover are original photos I took on one of my trips to Israel. They are from the Garden of Gethsemane and Dominus Flavit. Mike Smitley, using these photos, designed the cover.

Although this book is what is called my intellectual property, it could not have been published without the help of others. I would like to thank Mike Smitley, the publisher, for taking me through the publishing process with such ease; Marilyn Holeman for her watchful eye and suggestions after reading the many drafts; the Elders of Emmanuel Faith Community Church; the faithful saints I pastor at Hillside Community Church; and to my wife, Janet, for her patience and support of 35 years.

This book is dedicated to the Elders of Emmanuel Faith Community Church. It was their inspiration to intensify our prayer efforts (the I of their ten-year plan to I.M.P.A.C.T. their community and the world with the gospel) that launched this project in my heart. I am forever indebted to your spiritual wisdom and guidance in the early years of my ministry. I am humbled that you would give me the opportunity to pastor Hillside Community Church.

Foreword

In August of 2003, I received a call from the elders of the Community Baptist Church in Julian, CA (JCBC) asking if I was interested in talking about replanting their church. They were down to 9 members and had an average Sunday attendance of 12! As the pastor of a community church whose growth strategy is to plant churches, I said Yes immediately. After several months of prayer and discussion, and with the consensus of both fellowships, it was agreed that JCBC would be replanted as Hillside Community Church. (HCC)

As we rejoiced together over the leading of God’s Spirit, I began thinking, Lord, who do You want to pastor this assembly? Rick Hill’s name jumped to the top of my list. The reason? Rick’s character and ministry skills have been tried and tested by life’s hardest knocks and proven to be fully devoted to the Lord. He’s the real deal!

Consider his background and life experiences. Rick’s a seminary trained Bible teacher who has served the Lord as a missionary, evangelist and musician. He’s been a successful businessman and dedicated lay leader. Most importantly, he’s a loving husband, committed parent and dedicated grandparent who has experienced the ups and downs of real life. Rick Hill’s a humble man who loves the Word of God and strives to obey it’s directives for his life; especially when it comes to prayer. As his co-worker in pastoral ministry, I can attest that he lives out what he’s written about in this book.

As you read it, I pray that this solidly biblical explanation of the Lord’s prayer will ignite your heart and enable you to have a greater impact for the Lord’s work. It has for Rick! Hillside Community Church has grown 10 fold under his leadership, due in large part to the fact that Rick Hill practices what he preaches. "

O Lord, teach us to pray.

Dennis J. Keating

Pastor

Emmanuel Faith Community Church

Escondido, CA

PROLOGUE

As I began the journey of writing this book, I had an immediate internal struggle. It wasn’t a struggle of writing, although I do have problems there, it was just the nagging thought: why another book on prayer? Aren’t there enough already?

I looked at the shelf in my library and saw that I had about two dozen books on the subject (and I know I have given away many more for others to read.) So why another book? Well, I still have problems in my prayer life. I don’t know if you, the reader, have the same difficulties I have, but after speaking with many in my congregation, other friends, and colleagues, it seems to me I’m not the only one with prayer problems.

Prayer is hard work! one parishioner told me.

Boring! one adolescent said.

I struggle to find time to pray, came from the lips of a preacher friend of mine.

The last time I tried to spend ‘quality time’ in prayer I fell asleep, voiced another congregant.

As I listened to my friends and reviewed my own life, it seems to me that the most problematic part of our Christian experience is an anemic prayer life. We hear so much about prayer. We see people pray on TV and hear them pray on radio. We stand, kneel, or bow in our worship services and offer public prayers. We offer a prayer of thanks at our kitchen tables. We might even be so bold as to offer a prayer of thanksgiving in a restaurant. We often offer a cute little prayer with our children before tucking them in bed. And still our prayer life seems lacking in something.

In most of these circumstances it doesn’t seem like we really connect with God. We used to have a saying in the church that I grew up in. Don’t stop praying ‘til you’ve prayed-through. I thought I knew what that meant until I tried to do it!

Reflecting on this, it seems to me that praying through means to really connect with God. To connect with God implies a relationship. I usually phone people that I have some relationship with. If I dial someone that doesn’t have the foggiest notion who I am, they tell me, You have the wrong number. And while I don’t believe that God has suggested I have dialed the wrong number, there are times when it seems I have either gotten a busy signal or a dial tone.

I want more than this. I long for the time that I connect with God. It’s not a matter of trying to get something from Him. Most often, I don’t even want to ask Him for anything. I just want to get to know Him better. Sometimes I just want the joy of His friendship. Sometimes I just want the comfort of His companionship. Sometimes I just want the security of His presence.

It’s like the writer that said, The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

There is One in the Bible who really connected with God. His name is Jesus. He is the One who not only teaches us how to pray but also TO PRAY.

Lord, teach us to pray, requested the disciples. So He taught them. The disciples learned from Him and wrote it down for us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Now, I want to learn from them. I want to learn to pray and how to pray. I want to be effective in my prayer life. No sleeping by the rocks in the garden for me – I wish!

I hope you are ready to join me in this journey. As you read, don’t feel compelled to keep turning the pages to finish the book. Take time to reflect on the Scriptures presented. Pause to pray – to really connect with God. Enjoy His friendship. Find comfort in His companionship. Wrap yourself in the security of His presence. And above all, get to know Him better!

Pastor Rick

INTRODUCTION

I pray when I’m in trouble, a teenager told me one day. I wanted to pursue the issue with her, but