Private Prayer

I have a theory about prayer and people. I believe everyone prays. Some pray to a false god or a God they just don’t know yet.  Most everyone will pray in a pinch or in a crisis. I believe that my prayer life reflects my relationship with God.

I have prayed publicly, and I must be careful that I’m not being showy, but that my public prayer reflects my private prayer time with the Lord.

Jesus taught His disciples about prayer. It was simple, straight-forward instruction. Check this out….

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. ⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

⁷ “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:5-8 NLT)

I am no expert on prayer. I’ve had the privilege to read some good books on prayer and hear some good teaching on prayer. I’ve come to a few conclusions on my own about prayer.

1. Keep it real – who am I kidding? He knows me.
2. Keep it short – get to the point.
3. Keep it simple – be direct.
4. Pray very often – all the time.
5. Pray about everything – including simple, everyday choices.
6. Pray for others including the people you don’t like and who don’t like you.
7. Prayer is to my relationship with God what everyday conversations with my wife, kids, family, and friends are to those deep relationship. A lack of conversation and connection will kill any relationship.

I could make this list a long longer and even more detailed. Prayer is really very simple. I sometimes pray one word: “Help!”  My prayers include a lot of confession – I am often a total mess and when I’m talking with the Lord, I realize how Perfect He is and how imperfect I am. He loves genuine humility – He can work with that.  I am praying for the Presence and Power of God to be all over me. I pray often for His favor over everything. I should also pray for His favor over others.

It has really helped me to write out my thoughts about prayer. In prayer, I’m leaning into the Almighty Power and Presence of God. In prayer, I often find peace – He’s got this. He’s got me. Prayer humbles me. Prayer inspires me. Prayer encourages me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne