Introduction to Prayer
.... A vibrant prayer life is one of the most important aspects of our walk with God. Prayer is a living, spiritual communication with Him that will keep our entire lives in focus. But prayer is widely misunderstood, as well.
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.... When we think of prayer, we often think of flowery speeches directed heavenward. But God has made it clear that He is not impressed with such things:
.... When we think of prayer, we often think of flowery speeches directed heavenward. But God has made it clear that He is not impressed with such things:
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.... "Surely God will not listen to empty talk, nor will the Almighty regard it."
(Job 35:13)
.... Or perhaps we envision a standard wish list, repeated often, or rote phrases that are repeated out of habit. But God has told us that He already knows about the things we need and that He doesn’t want us reciting prayers repetitiously. He heard us the first time, and it bores Him! God prefers the quiet sincerity of our hearts in an intimate, hidden time that we share with Him:
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.... "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."
(Matthew 6:6-8)
.... Flowery speeches, wish lists, or prayers by rote also have the character of a one-way communication. But true prayer has every potential of becoming a two-way communication, an actual conversation between ourselves and God. It is a time for taking counsel with Him in a meeting of the heart and mind (Numbers 11:29; John 10:4,27; 1 Corinthians 14:31; Revelation 3:20). And when Christians begin to realize this, their prayer life can be revolutionized.
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.... We will continue this discussion in our next postings.
To proceed to the next lesson, click here
Daily Bible Reading: Acts 19
posted by loren at 12:10 AM
3 Comments:
Here is a thought-provoking question. Why did Jesus pray? He already knew everything, His entire life was prophesied, and He knew those Scriptures perfectly. He also knew what was in every man. (John 21:17; Amos 3:7; John 2:25). The very act of His prayer showed His constant submission to God, and the importance of maintaining a lively relationship with Him:
"I have raised up one from the north, and He shall come; from the rising of the sun He shall call on My name; and He shall come against princes as though mortar, as the potter treads clay.”
(Isa 41:25)
By
loren, at 10/04/2005 11:16 PM
Loren,
I have noticed a lot of things in the prayers I hear that sort of bug me. Like when people say "Now heavenly Father, give us a good night and a safe trip..." or whatever. It sounds like we are telling God what to do. It certainly isn't asking. I also think it is so important to teach my kids that God will do what is best regardless of what they pray. Maybe I'm saying that wrong, but I just remember as a kid sometimes being so dissappointed that God would not answer my prayers like I thought I was taught He would. Kids must know that thankfulness is the best expression to the Lord. I, even now that I am saved, fill my prayers with thankfulness and I really shy away from asking God for anything because, like you said, HE knows what I need (or what those I am praying for need) and sometimes I am completely off target! I may be wrong about that, but I just know that there can never be anything wrong in thanking, but there is plenty to be wrong in asking, although I know we can ask and are encouraged to. It is just a personal issue, I guess.
By the way, I thanked you for your comment on my post and I am going to click on the links within your comment probably tomorrow.
By
Rose~, at 10/05/2005 12:33 AM
Hi Rose,
I know what you mean about people telling God what to do in prayer. For "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?" It's actually one of my pet peeves.
I guess we'll just have to bear with it until there can be some better instruction. But the more people ask honest questions, the sooner that day will be. In my opinion, a healthy dialogue that points to Jesus as a mode is always the best way to address a controversial subject.
Hopefully, this module will be of some help. If you click on the table of contents, you'll see the topics and scheduled release dates for the rest of this series. Come armed, bring your thoughts, worries, peeves, questions etc. Kurt is also going to be playing a part in this series.
By
loren, at 10/05/2005 1:10 AM
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