Prayer

"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." ~C.S. Lewis

Prayer is a powerful thing. It shouldn't have a beginning, or an end. We should always be conversing with our Father. We should always be seeking guidance, offering thanks and praise, and asking for forgiveness. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. More instruction to pray in every circumstance is found in James 5:13-18. And why wouldn't we want to be in constant contact with our Creator, engaging in a never-ceasing conversation with the One who truly loves us more than we could possibly imagine?


What is the purpose of prayer? To get what we want? No. Prayer is an intimate connection with God. With whom are we able to maintain an intimate relationship without talking? Do we have any relationships in which all we do is ask and receive? In which we never give thanks and serve? Why do we feel that it is acceptable to use God only as a crutch, as our life raft? He is so much more. Prayer changes us. God uses our prayers to comfort and heal, to grow and encourage. Without prayer, our God is distant and cold, but with it, He is present and loving. God uses prayer to transform us to be more like Christ.


Thankfully, we aren't left to figure out prayer on our own. Jesus teaches how to pray in Matthew 6:5-15. We've turned verses 9-13 into the Lord's Prayer, something that we often recite mindlessly. I am frequently guilty of this. It's a tragedy. Mindless prayer isn't any better than no prayer. Jesus said, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." Pray from your heart. Your brain will only get in the way. Be honest with God--He already knows our wants and needs. He's not going to be fooled by our acting.

God makes us a promise. And it's an important one. Important enough that it gets repeated several times. When we ask for something according to God's will and believe He will provide, we will receive that for which we have asked. 1 John 5:14 Mark 11:22-26 James 1:5-8 Notice, in the Lord's Prayer, Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We must believe, and not ask halfheartedly. God asks for our entire selves.

Sometimes it's difficult when it seems like God doesn't answer our prayers. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he pleaded with His Father three times to take His cup from Him, to be delivered from His certain death. But notice that each time, He prayed that His Father's will be done rather than His own. Paul was tormented, and three times asked for a thorn to be removed, but it was God's will to keep it there, as God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore Paul boasted and rejoiced in his weakness, for through it, God's perfect power was revealed.

I want to continue to encourage everyone and to be encouraged to pray. Our relationship with God is never so good that we can go a day without speaking to Him. Every day we screw up, and must come back to Him to repent and receive forgiveness. Every day we should praise Him and give thanks. Every day we should ask for guidance. Every day we should pray.


One last thing: I highly recommend watching this video. Yeah, it's corny. But it's real. It's powerful.