And when you pray

What is it?

How many times has someone asked you what is prayer?  In my life time, I can’t say that this has been a popular question.  I am often around kids and somehow they understand what I mean when I say “pray”.  Whether Christian or Hindu, Muslim or Atheist, everyone understands that word.  Yet, I think it is worthwhile to look at what prayer has defined as by others:

Matt Slick wrote that “Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.  It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.  Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God.  Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian.  Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope.  Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord.”

Randall Niles explains “Prayer is our direct line with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God!”

Joyce Meyers echoes what most of us would have answered if asked, “Prayer is simply conversation with God. It’s asking Him to meet your need or someone else’s. It’s praising Him and thanking Him. It’s about committing things to Him and consecrating things to Him. We need to pray about everything and anything.”

In the 2009 Minister’s Manual, prayer is defined as a “…positive alternative to a world out of control….  Prayer is all of life lifted to God – the developing comradeship and intimacy with the Father….the greatest work of the heart.”

Why do it?

To say that we pray because we need to is an understatement.  How simple of an answer could that be, yet it is powerfully true. We are living in a world that appears to be out of control, (our control that is), and so prayer is essential to affect change.  James ended his letter by asking,

 “Is anyone among you suffering?  Let him pray….Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the      elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.     And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up….  Confess your      trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective,        fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:14-16

In these verses, James explains a few of the benefits to prayer.  Prayer is the key to meeting needs.  The practice of prayer changes the circumstances you face.  Suffering people can find hope through prayer and see a difference; the sick can be healed; sinners can be saved.  Prayer avails much.

 “Prayer changes the one praying….”(Slick).  Some have said that it really is not about telling God what is happening, but it is what happens to us as we tell him the details of our lives.  Prayer brings us into intimacy with God.  The bible teaches us that as we draw near to God, He will likewise draw near to us. (James 4:8).   Sincere prayer brings us into his presence, combined with our praise and worship.  It is in the act of praying that we are transformed.  What does that mean you ask?  In prayer, we allow ourselves to be transparent and vulnerable. We bare all, becoming naked before an all seeing God.  In that time, we are changed.  We may start out with our lists and our opinions but in fervency we get to the “not my will but thy will be done” end.  Matt Slick wrote that “…in prayer, you are in the presence of God as you lay before Him your complete self in confession and dependence.  There is nothing to hide when in quiet supplication, we are reaching into the deepest part of ourselves and admitting our needs and failures.  In so doing, our hearts are quieted and pride is stripped, and we enjoy the presence of God.”

 We pray because without prayer we cannot foster a relationship with God.  Prayer, in my mind, is an act of obedience to God, which is better than any sacrifice we could offer.  His word, which He watches over to perform and holds up even higher than His name teaches us to:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7).

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes. 5:17).

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” (Col. 4:2).

“…Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” (James 4:2).

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matt. 21:22).

 

How to do it?

Many people are aware of the basic meaning of prayer, however, that number shrinks when it comes to the how.  We are then left with a large group of people who would like to pray but shy away because they say “I don’t know how.”

This may be an expected response outside of the church among non-believers or perhaps seekers.  However, that same response is coming from the person seated in the pew next to you.  It reminds me that we perish indeed because of lack of knowledge.

We have allowed ourselves to believe that prayer is a formula that only a few are made aware of, or that prayer has to be at a certain decibel or, it must be filled with multiple bible verses to show that we have rightly studied the word of God.  Some say “I don’t know what to say.”  Whatever the reason, many people are intimated or frightened to silence when it comes to praying.

The truth is God’s throne is made accessible to all who will come to Him.  His invitation card clearly states that we:

• Pray with confidence

            “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find             grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16).

            “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph.               3:12).

• Pray God’s word

          “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for                   you.” (John 15:7).

• Pray in faith

        “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be           yours.” (Mark 11:24).
        “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that           is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6).

• Pray in Spirit and in truth

       “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought,          but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Rom. 8:26).

My sister told me about her prayer time, in a desperate situation. She started out praying with everything she knew, but it was just putting words together with prepositions and pronouns.  The truth was missing, because in her heart she didn’t believe.  Eloquence might have been plentiful but faith was missing.  Doubt laced her words and consumed her thinking.  She persevered.  She kept at it, not because God didn’t hear, but because she needed to hear and believe.  She prayed until she found herself believing the words coming from her mouth. She started to pray what God said about the situation.  His word was the inspiration of faith; faith in God.  She said “I prayed until faith rose up in me.”

When Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane he prayed with such passion that his sweat was like blood dropping from his pores.  He was talking to the Father with such an awareness of his presence that it was as if he stood before him physically.  He prayed the same thing not once but three times because he was deeply distressed and troubled.  He said "My souls is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death...."  (Mark 14:34).  He prayed “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36).  In the end, he bent his will to the will of the Father.  He prayed until his hour had come. He prayed with fervency and passion. He prayed truthfully and was effective.

Mark 14:32-42 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. 41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Wow. We have all felt like that at times. That desperation and urgency. Jesus knows exactly what we are experiencing. He gets it and now, so do I.  I believe that doesn't leave us to flounder around but leaves us a template to follow saying
 

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰ your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,^[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.^[b]’

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt 6:9-15).