On Prayer
Let's discuss prayer. I know that prayer can sometimes feel like a simple thing - something to do upon waking or before going to bed at night, a recitation of thankfulness before a meal, or an echoing of the Lord's Prayer in church.
But, friend, prayer is so powerful! Prayer is our lifeline to our Creator and has the power to change the impossible (James 5:13-16). Prayer is what we have to hold onto when everything and everyone else is gone. Needless to say, I could probably write an entire book on prayer, but for now, I want to remind you some of what the Bible says about prayer and give you some ideas of ways you can bring life back into your prayers.
Let's start with a little history lesson. (I saw you roll your eyes! This is important, I promise!)
As you probably know, in the beginning, God was with His creation in the garden of Eden. God spoke to Adam and Eve and they spoke back to Him in His presence. Compared to us today, they had the extreme advantage of being able to physically seek out God, ask Him their questions, and hear His responses. Then, of course, the fall occurred and, ashamed of their actions, Adam and Even hid from God (Genesis 3:8). God exiled the couple from the garden, promising a difficult life for their disobedience. However, in Genesis 4, we can see that Cain and Abel, Adam's sons, still had direct communication with God despite their exile. Only after jealousy drives Cain to kill his brother, he says, "I will be hidden from Your presence," meaning he would no longer be physically with God's person (Genesis 4:14, NIV). And later in verse 26, we are told, "At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26b, NIV). So, the practice of communicating with God through prayer is a very old one, dating back almost to the beginning of history.
From this point and on throughout Scripture, we see God's people go to Him in prayer, giving praise, asking forgiveness, "seeking communion, protection, vindication, and healing" (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). In the New Testament, Jesus modeled a devout prayer life with His Father characterized by consistency, fervor, and feeling. Jesus's disciples marveled at His prayer life, and even asked Him to teach them how to pray, resulting in what we know as The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 5. Jesus prayed for many things during His brief time on earth, however, I am always most touched by Jesus's prayer of desperation before his arrest: "Abba, Father," He said, "everything is possible for You. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14:35-36, NIV) Similar to His ancestor, David, Jesus was the embodiment of praying in all circumstances.
I could certainly find more Biblical examples to justify my argument for a healthy prayer life, but let's take a moment to talk about you. What do you do when you pray? Are your eyes closed and head bowed? Are you alone? Are you praying aloud over your family? Are you writing your prayer down in a journal to return to later? Are you crying out to God in tears and frustration during your drive home?
Prayer is one of the most powerful weapons in a Christian's arsenal. And however you pray, know first that God hears you (Proverbs 15:29). I firmly believe that when we decide to pray, the enemy tries everything in his power to make us feel like God doesn't hear us, or that if He does hear us, then what we are asking for is so unimportant or insignificant that He couldn’t possibly care. Don't listen to these lies, friend! Whether you are waiting inside the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1), seeking protection in the home of an enemy (1 Samuel 21:10-15, Psalm 34), or facing death itself (Matthew 25:42), know that God hears and is answering your prayer, even before you finish saying Amen.
If you feel like your prayers have become too repetitive or you're not sure where to start, I have found that crafting my prayers around the five points below help me to feel I have sought out the Lord confidently and respectfully in a manner deserving of my Creator. Of course, Jesus's example of prayer in Matthew 5 is THE example I would encourage you to pray earnestly and often. Sometimes, I choose to either start or end my own prayers with those words - I am in no way trying to replace them. But in studying Jesus's prayer, you can see a series of points Jesus was hitting on which many have summarized with the acronym P.R.A.Y.: Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield. My formula is very similar.
Recognize who you are praying to by reciting truth about God from Scripture. For example, "Father, I know you are the Creator of the universe (Genesis 1)." or "Heavenly Father, You are all knowing and thus know me fully" (1 John 3:20).
Express humility before God. Admit where you have sinned and ask for God's forgiveness. (Matthew 3:8) The Lord hears the righteous and humble. (Proverbs 15:29)
Ask God for what you need, recognizing that the situation is His and He is the only one with the power to give you what you request. (Philippians 4:6)
Recall a time when God was gracious to you or someone else around you in a similar situation. (Isaiah 25:1)
Yield to God's will. (Mark 14:36)
If you still find yourself lost or unable to form the prayer, be comforted in knowing that you don't even have to find the words: "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (Romans 8:26). And also know that you have all of these wonderful examples of prayer at your fingertips to read and recite whenever you need. In closing, I will leave you with Psalm 86, a prayer of deliverance. I encourage you to read it aloud, knowing that God hears you and will never forsake you. Thanks for being here, friend.
Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to You; save your servant who trusts in You. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to You all day long. Bring joy to Your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in You.
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare to Yours. All the nations You have made will come and worship before You, Lord; they will bring glory to Your name. For You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God.
Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me - they have no regard for You. But You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of Your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
Amen
