Christian Prayer

Newsflash...prayer is NOT just about asking for stuff! Yes, I know that’s a shocker because most of us think of prayer as a way to get all our needs, wants, answers, etc.. While that is indeed a part of prayer, primarily Christian prayer is about pursuing a relationship with God.

Well just like any other relationship, communication is essential. In order to get to know God, we must spend time with Him daily. We want relationship without the discipline of investing quality time. 

His Presents or His Presence?

So often we just want God’s presents but not His presence in our lives. However, it’s in His presence that we find the fullness of joy. And when we get in His presence, we get not only His presents but so much more. My pastor often tells a story that illustrates this well.

His daughter asked him to take her to the mall. He thought they would spend the day together, but upon arrival she asked him to give her some money and to drop her off at the door so she could meet her friends. Later that day when he picked her up, he asked, ‘did you get everything you wanted?’ She replied, ‘no, I didn’t have enough money.’ Much like our heavenly Father, he said, ‘had you allowed me to go with you, you could have gotten everything you wanted and more.'

Isn’t that just like us? We settle for a few gifts from God based on our current needs or wants. But if we just get into the presence of the One who knows ALL of our needs (current and future), we could rest assured that He will take care of our every need.

What Prayer Is and what Prayer Is Not

Maybe many of us don’t understand the value of Christian prayer because we really don’t know what Christian prayer is. Prayer is quite simply, a conversation with God. As you know a conversation includes both talking and listening.

Prayer is not…
• A secret formula to good fortune
Christians are not promised a life without trials, in fact in Jesus confirms we will endure trials.

"…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."- John 16:33 NLT

• A way to impress others - if you pray to impress others, you have received your reward (Matthew 6:5)

So often we are focused on the length of our prayer or praying like someone else, but God is not impressed with the things that impress us. He focuses on our heart.

"…For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

• Simply a means of presenting requests to God
Prayer is a means of pursuing a relationship with God and seeking His will (not ours).

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." - I John 5:15

Make Prayer a Priority

You must first commit to make Christian prayer a priority because it’s true, we make time for those things we consider important. Satan will try to keep you from praying because He knows the power of prayer.

Not only does your enemy know the power of prayer, but more importantly Jesus Himself prayed. Don’t believe me, check out…
o Matthew 26
o Matthew 27
o Luke 23
o John 12
o John 17

So if Jesus valued prayer enough to pray, certainly we should to pray. Besides, if you don’t pray, Satan has won half the battle because you’re not talking to God. Commit to Christian prayer.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." – 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Secret to Prayer

Rest assured, God ALWAYS answers prayer. We may not always get the answer we want, but He answers. Sometimes He answers yes, sometimes it’s no and sometimes He answers…not yet. But don’t focus so much on the answer, but the One who gives the answer. Just as the best part of the journey is getting there, the best part of Christian prayer is offering it.

Think about your favorite sport or hobby…you do it because you love it. Christian prayer leads to eternal rewards, it’s not about instant gratification. We want instant formulas, but God wants intimate fellowship.

We live in an instant society and too often we’re looking for a shortcut or how-to formula, but public performance is defined by private practice. All the greats spend time practicing. The secret to Michael Phelps and Tiger Woods’ greatness is practice. And the secret to prayer is secret prayer!

Spend some quiet time with God today in prayer. Make a paradigm shift…stop viewing prayer as a means of making requests and start viewing it as a means to building and enjoying a relationship with God.

Now that you know why prayer is important, find more information about how to pray here.

Many of these truths on prayer were adapted in part from The Prayer of Jesus: Secrets to Real Intimacy with God by Hank Hanegraaff.