Prayer

Prayer should be an important part of every believer’s life, yet most believers feel that their prayer life is lacking. There are many questions about prayer: Whom do I pray to? Where do I pray? When do I pray? What do I say when I pray? Do I pray alone or in a group? Is it OK to ask for things in my prayers? Do I have to close my eyes and fold my hands when I pray? So many questions! Even the Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. He did so by giving them a model prayer: The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

So, we are to pray to God our Father, through his Son, Jesus. (No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6) We are to recognize who He is. We are to pray that God do what, through His grace, He has promised to do (forgive us, help us, guide us, bring his Kingdom). And yes, we are to ask Him for things. He loves to give us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). We should never use God as some cosmic vending machine, dispensing out all the things we want. But we should not be afraid to ask God for things that would bless us and be in His will.

As for where and when to pray, there is no magic formula for eyes closed, hands folded, etc. We should focus on God when we pray, but God calls us to pray always (Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Thessalonians 5:16-18). We should do it alone as well as in groups of believers. God speaks to us many different ways. Let’s make it a two-way conversation.