Thoughts on Prayer

Millions of prayers are uttered in the course of one 24-hour day.  Some are short, like “Help.”

Some are rote repetitions that have been said a hundred, yeah a thousand times already. 

Some come from those dark recesses of the soul.  They are birthed in anguish, grief, heartache and desperate need.

Is it the actual words of a prayer that matter?  Is it a certain body stance, or certain clothing worn, or perhaps a prayer shawl? 

I am not attacking any one person’s prayer style.  The simple objective for this post is to bring to light some important concepts about prayer.

The brilliant spiritual writer C.S. Lewis wrote:  “I pray because I can’t help myself.  I pray because I’m helpless.  I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping.  It doesn’t change God.  It changes me.”

I cannot imagine that God is listening in on our prayers and has this attitude:

“I’ll give you a ‘2’ for what you said and a ‘9.5’ for your body stance.”

Or

“Wow, those tears really moved me.  I think I’ll sweep down and dump a bunch of goodness on you tonight.”

I don’t think God judges us on the words used, the correct or incorrect sentence structure, the possessive plural or lack thereof in our language during payer. 

I do believe He listens for sincerity, openness to His voice and direction, and a willing spirit. 

I like what Arthur Pink says about prayer:  “Prayer is not so much an act as it is an attitude – an attitude of dependency upon God.”

The Bible reminds us to “Pray without ceasing.” 

I Thessalonians 5:17

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” 

Romans 12:12

I love Mark 11:24:  “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

This one wakes us up:  “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”  Matthew 6:7

And these greatly encouraging words on prayer:

“Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so as to receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

Is prayer important?  Absolutely!

How often?  How many words?  What do I say?

Use the above verses from God’s word as guides for those questions.  Above all, find those moments in your day when you pray. 

That is it. 

Oh yes, one final thought.  God hears our prayers. 

P Michael Biggs

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time