“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 NLT
“Prayer communicates your heart to God’s heart.”
My thoughts today are about the “practice of prayer.”
If you want to understand prayer, read the Psalms. It truly is a book for all seasons, expressing the spectrum of emotions, desires, and circumstances. Prayer is also for all seasons – filled with praise and thanksgiving in good times, and giving voice to questions, pain, and needs in tough times. I think you misunderstand the practice of prayer when you consider it merely as a religious activity reserved specifically for desperate times and holy places, rather than a normal part of a Godly life. Throughout any given day you have many occasions that necessitate prayer – some of those you might recognize immediately and others belatedly.
The Bible assures, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16-18 NLT. That promise alone encourages your prayer. Make no mistake; prayer should be typical of the Christ-follower, not optional. Prayer empowers you to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV.
Let’s demystify this wonderful exercise of faith. I can only recall one time that disciples specifically asked Jesus to teach them how to do something. From their mishaps and miscues, they must have needed to know about many other spiritual disciplines as well. “Jesus was praying . . when He finished, one of His disciples said, ‘Lord teach us to pray.’” Luke 11:1 NIV. The beautiful pattern prayer, inaccurately called The Lord’s Prayer, resulted from that disciple’s desire to pray effectively. Read Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV. I have noticed that I get better at the things I practice more frequently and diligently. I know that prayer is like that as well.
Prayer communicates your heart to God’s heart. It requires no artificially holy tone or outdated vocabulary – the more natural to you, the more authentic to God. God recognizes all languages, however perfectly or imperfectly they are used. God hears prayer because of sincerity, not eloquence. Read Matthew 6:5-8 NKJV. Some of the simplest and shortest prayers in the Bible were the most powerful and memorable, such as Jesus’ prayer at Lazarus’ tomb – just thirty-seven words in the English translation, probably fewer in the original Aramaic, yet a man dead and buried was now alive! See John 11:41-44 NKJV. Is there a place needing resurrection in your soul? Pray!
Prayer presents your requests to God in faith and with trust. Prayer does not demand from God; it invites God to work His higher will in circumstances unchangeable. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you will do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT. That doesn’t seem so complicated, does it? Don’t worry; instead pray.
Prayer expresses thankfulness. “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 NLT. Why would anyone presume to ask God for anything without expressing thankfulness for all He has already done? The Apostle Paul described the practice of prayer by giving this context: “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NKJV. Prayer rejoices, is patient, and continuing; praying expresses hope in spite of tribulation, and remains steadfast.
My prayer for you today is that praying is as natural and necessary as breathing.