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Encouragement to Pray

I think we are prone to over complicate the act of prayer; we make something as vital as eating our daily bread to be something mysterious. It isn't that there is no complexity, but the act is very simple while the understanding of the effects and the process may be the part that is so challenging to our minds. Isn't it amazing that Jesus taught on prayer in three simple ways? He gave a few parables to encourage the pursuit of it, along with some examples of what not to do, he gave a condensed, essential example to us in the Our Father prayer, and his own example of retreating often for prayer. That is a simple theology to follow, while at the same time there are depths to plumb for as long as we live on this mortal plane, for sure. Much of prayer is the doing of it, and because Christians are under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit it becomes self-correcting as one goes along in the practice. One can't really fully teach prayer. One reason for that in my own mind is that we have differing spiritual gifts which impact how we pray, and whether praying for something is a challenge to our faith or not. We have measure of those gifts as a further factor, and yet praying is something all of us must do in order to connect with and communicate with God. I am just trying to say that prayer, while a universal practice for believers is not a one size fits all in the method. We are taught about types of prayer, but I don't know if that is necessary. It seems as though it is an enhancement to have such theologies. We have prayers of worship, of supplication, of intercession... but in the natural act of praying we often cycle through all the types of prayer without the consciousness of the structures and vocabulary. I think the most common questions that people have concern what they may ask for and whether God hears. Afterwards, people wonder why God answers or does not answer in the way He does. In this studying scripture is instructive, but still, it gets reduced to a few simple checkpoints. I think I would order my prayer "theology" this way:

  • God wants us to pray, to seek, and ask. He not only invites us to do this, but communicates that it is His delight to have His people do so and receive His answers
  • It must be sincere and come from within our being
  • It should be persevering
  • It should be expecting
  • It should recognize Him, through praise and through use of His name

That would be my simple breakdown of it, and many of the things we see in prayer comes under one of those points in some way. I don't know if we can understand prayer without practicing it. Like trying to speak of any relationship action outside of itself... we define love, but in the final event it is the experience of love that we know about it... our greatest need is to be clear about what love does and does not look like in experience. We need to be aware of what is confusing and counterfeit so we can fully participate in the reality of it. So as Jesus taught, we know prayer is not:

  • meaningless repetitions- numbers of words aren't commercially exchanged for answer and notice from God
  • self-inflating lists recounting one's virtues bounce off heaven's floor (ie the Pharisee's prayer)
  • Faithless double mindedness- that is just an exercise in our own mind.


Take time to pray today.

Why does it work to simply start praying? What do we we mean when we say "prayer works"? Funny enough, I found the key to explaining this in my pastors sermon on bible study. Since I have spent many years with prayer as centerpiece in my spiritual experience, functioning often as an intercessor, I "felt" the key, but the intricacy of stating things theologically kept me from getting to the gist in a way that I could share with others. In spiritual matters you want two things. You want concise clarity, and you want accuracy: hitting the target. Seeing the target clearly, and hitting the mark, you might say. Because all things spiritual have a goal, they aren't "killing time" or wasting time, they are purposeful in nature. Think about that a little bit and I am sure you will see that. The other thing you want, which is related, is authority. You want authority in spiritual matters, whether acting in it or understanding of it. So the two things in spiritual matters are clarity and authority. My pastor centered his sermon on this scripture:

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
...and his points were excellent on the topic of bible study, but for me, with my mind previously prepared for thinking about the theology of prayer, I found that this was also applicable to say just what needs to be said about the inside secret of effectual prayer. Prayer that accomplishes what it sets out to do. Hear from God, receive from God, and know God. Perhaps I don't need to say more for some of you. Perhaps you are already aware of what this scripture is saying to us. But for those who want to go further into what I am saying here... Jesus was addressing those who believed that if they studied the scriptures well enough, diligently enough, they would attain eternal life. They were looking for that clarity and hoping for the authority that the scriptures would give them.... to overcome death and all its horrible consequences of separation in the diminishment of their existence. But Jesus said something very astonishing. He said that the life was in Him, not in what they do or attain. It was all meant to bring them together with Him, and then they would have what they sought so longingly, eagerly, laboriously. Here it was: Him, Christ Jesus. It was all pointing to Him, and that was its goal. The goal is not us, following rules or getting what we want, it is us coming to God. That is why it is in the experiencing, why to experience is so vital to the believer. It is the whole point of all things we endeavor.... to know and have the testimony of Christ. This is the secret of prayer. It isn't how we pray, or how often, it isn't the structure, or the wording.... it is coming to the Father God through Jesus Christ. It is that experience. And that takes many, many forms. The short form is to look at the parts of the Our Father prayer: knowing God, His will, aligning with His will, getting our daily needs met, relating properly to our fellow man, .... it is all in there. And when we pray toward the goal, which is to experience something of God and His nature, it will become self-correcting of our follies. ... Are we over familiar with God in our thinking? Is he our Buddy, our personal Santa? Sincere prayer which meets up with the Sovereign Holy God will correct that. I can't tell you how often prayer that starts out with simple requests, if allowed to develop in opening to God sincerely results in utter awe. Meet up with that utter awe of a Holy God and it will prostrate you. Conversely, coming to this awesome God, overcoming feelings of unworthiness by simply trusting and continuing in prayer can also result in such an embrace of God's love that heals and fills up all the empty places. You can't barter with God for this... you can't follow a method, but this will happen if you begin to properly relate to God. As Jesus said of the scripture study, there is a proper relating of the action to the desired endpoint: coming to the Lord God in relationship, which is why the Lord Jesus taught that first of all we call God, Father. We come, first point, on relationship. Or we don't come at all, but stand afar off, unsure, unclear. This is the secret of all prayer. It is meant to relate us in some way to the Creator God. That goal is what elevates the scriptures and their importance, what elevates acts of prayer and their efficacy and fervency, what elevates our actions and good works. That goal holds the authority; the authority is in the name... the name represents Someone, certain someone. Who we relate to, and experience in our spirituality makes all the difference, and why prayer has meaning and why it "works", why scripture corrects and affects us.
these are they which testify of Me
Jeremiah 9:23-25 (King James Version) 23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

This isn't the easiest topic, for several reasons. One is that so much is already written on it. And the other is a simple maxim that I will reiterate over and over: it is something that you learn by doing. The most important factor in prayer is that you pray. And it is amazing how we will do just about anything concerning prayer except just to do it!

There is a reason for that of course. The reason is that prayer is an exercise of the spirit and our flesh has other things in mind. 'The Flesh', as a Biblical concept, is more than the skin and its sensations. As a concept it encompasses all of the souls desires for itself, the minds will, all that makes up the "we" that we would call ourselves. The spirit for some is dead, and for others is dormant, but for Christians it is like a struggling chrysalis, seeking to change from one form of life to another. And prayer is its mode of communication. Prayer is the conduit. Jesus spent much time in prayer. There had to be good reason for that. There are many types of prayer, and as with all things spiritual, they aren't easily molded into forms and methods, although those things are sometimes helpful. Yet, nothing substitutes for a living relationship with the Living God. You can have all sorts of modes and methods within it, but all are empty husks without it.

So much of basic prayer is just talking with God. It is often tentative and formal for many of us, especially if we are adult age, when we begin... but the lovely thing with God is that He will move closer to us as we seek to communicate. No matter how awkward or unworthy our feelings, He approaches us as we approach Him.

I have found that God is not limited by our relating or not, if we reach out. Simply the faith that reaches into an unknown for God' to answer us, will often elicit an answer. It was like that for me oftentimes when young. This is because God is gracious. It pleases Him to answer faith, even when we have little idea of what we have faith in.

But if you are serious about drawing near to God and hearing Him, -and most importantly for an answer- having Him hear you, knowing the things He has said as promises and policies are immeasurably valuble. You are always more confident in making your petition for something if you have an assurance written down. It is the same thing spiritually.

Prayer 101

1. Let your faith reach out
2. Just do it. Just go ahead and pray
3. Let your heart speak, be transparent
4. Find out what God has to say
5. Don't give up or get discouraged
6. Remember the Spirit of God will help you
7. Understand the Covenant in Jesus Name

I could tell you helpful things like praying through the Our Father prayer, whole teachings have been done on that.... but for me there are two seminal matters. One is the assurance of how God views His covenant. The power of that imputed righteousness, which allows me to approach the throne of a Holy God and insures that I will be welcomed, not on any of my own merit, my conscience would quickly fall and be dismayed with that, but with the confidence that He has instituted this very thing for me to do. That the Rock, Christ, hides me in the cleft, so I can both ask and receive for myself and for others need. And see God's glory. Covenant, this alone, has been the secret to steadfast prayer for me.

The fact is we get condemnation from ourselves and from others, we droop at the thought of even trying "It's no use!" "Why would God have anything to do with someone like me?".... but then we realize, if we understand how sacred God's covenant is to Himself to uphold, that we are given all..."for Jesus sake", we become bold and energized with faith. Because there is no end or finding out of the goodness of God. We walk through that door to find that God is love and gives freely to His creation.

But never will we find this out without stepping forward, and sometimes with a patient attitude until we understand Who He Is. Maybe that is why there can be so much prayer that falls to the ground, and is abandoned. We simply have not understood who it is we are speaking to.

We must abandon pride, if we want God to draw near. We know this from things written throughout the Bible, and if we have any understanding that our fig leaves do little to hide us, we will come with understanding of how transparent we are in that Presence.

As in the Hymn:

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light; thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; all laud we would render: O help us to see 'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

I've heard people compare prayer to magic. but you know? where does the power reside? That makes all the difference. If all resides in God, and we are coming to Him in faith, it isn't magical at all. If you think you have anything to do with it through repetitions or incantations, through bargaining or buying off, then you are hoping in your own magical illusory system. You are thinking that you pull God's by your marionette strings. Christians try to do this, they will deny it, but they fall into it as easy as anyone else. And you know... it just doesn't work that way. Not the real prayer life. The saving grace here is the fact that the Holy Spirit has been given and He actually guides one out of the mistakes and defaults we like to put on autopilot when we pray. He's a friend who really knows you. Got any of those? Who sees through the games and the pretense of all those coping mechanisms that we use to tell ourselves we are all right and we will do better if we just get what we want. The Holy Spirit is a friend who sees through that and brings us into the real business of knowing God, God's will, and what is best.

Usually we have no idea, and the more you pray the more you know what I am talking about here. It is no secret ritualistic contortionist stretch of the soul. It really isn't. Look at King David, he sits down with God and simply talks.

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said:

“Who am I, O LORD God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 17 And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O LORD God. 18 What more can David say to You for the honor of Your servant? For You know Your servant. 19 O LORD, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. 20 O LORD, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
Now go, examine your heart so that it is clear of obstructions, sit before God, allow Jesus to come and break some bread with you. It might surprise you how pleasant it is, how refreshing and how very very much your soul was longing for just such a relationship.
Next, intercessory prayer
In my own personal journey so far I found some things to share with others. It is really normal to have many distractions when you first begin to pray. Your mind is so used to running that it takes a few times to discipline it to quiet down and to focus towards God, not giving in to worries and and myriad thoughts. You never realize how worried you were about whether an iron was plugged in or what you are going to eat for lunch until you sit down to actually pray. Then, also, you find yourself going through your petition list in ten minutes and wonder how you could possibly fill up an hour. All that is pretty common...besides the phone calls, the door bell, the dog barking and who knows what else that suddenly seems to start up when you set aside time to pray. But keep at it, God will meet with you, you will see Him answer, and the spiritual exercise will increase your ability to connect with the Lord. When I was a very young Christian I felt impressed to start on a method that I believe helped me all my life even though it lasted for only a matter of weeks. I started the first week with an hour a day, second week two, and third week three. I found that I could not keep up with three hours a day with a family. That was to be expected.... it was not meant to be my life style, but a foundation that solidified some very important and lasting things in me. Every once in awhile it is of great benefit to set aside special times to be alone with God, to pursue knowing Him and allowing Him access to our lives. The kind where He is first on the list.... Many times I would begin in worship with a song or reading a psalm aloud, there are so many ways to open oneself to God in prayer, there were times to pray through the Lord's prayer, taking time on each part and placing praise and thanks or petitions and confession along the pattern of it. I believe God is calling us to pray, to get filled with wisdom, peace, and to be further grafted into His strength. All we have to do is take a part of our day and attempt to pray. We have so much to gain.... what is that old hymn? "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
I want to publicly thank my pastor, and all the faithful pastors, both in my experience and outside of it, for all the times they have pointed to this. I want to thank all Christians who have acted on this and exemplified it, even when they didn't know what it was in exact terms. It reaches back to all the faithful saints who showed in their examples what the spiritual goal truly was, and how important it was... even to the exchange of life and welfare here on earth. Church institutions won't give us this, theological study won't, acts of sacrifice or contrition can't. It isn't religion, it is a Person, the person of God Whom we meet in Christ. Everything else is dust and ashes. This is the secret of prayer: it is alive, a living relationship.