A ship was sinking in the middle of a storm. The captain called out to the crew and said, “Does anyone here know how to pray?” One man stepped forward and said, “Yes sir! I know how to pray!” The captain responded, “Wonderful! You pray while the rest of us put on life jackets…we’re one short!”
When we are navigating life together we find seas that are calm and storms that are rough. Through it all it is critical to pray together. It is the life jacket that keeps us afloat with our eyes focused on God.
So…Do you know how to pray??? Are you praying together with those in your midst?
Believe it or not, many Jesus followers feel like they don’t know how to pray. And of those who do feel like they know how to pray, many feel dissatisfied with their prayer life. Some struggle to find the “right” words, feeling as though that is what will compel God to come and act. Others feel as though their prayers are falling flat or just aren’t sure what to pray about.
Maybe you find yourself feeling this way. I know I often do. When we convince ourselves that we don’t know how to pray it has a detrimental effect on our relationship with God and our ability to pray together.
Perhaps we need to change what we think about prayer. Let’s take a look at what Jesus had to say.
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
Prayer is not a set of fancy words. It is not a means to impress and make yourself look “spiritual.” Prayer is not a way to manipulate God. When we pray we are not telling Him something He doesn’t already know. And prayer is not about getting what we want.
Prayer is interconnected with all of our life and by spending time with God and others in prayer we integrate our lives with His and align our thoughts and actions with what He is doing in us.
Prayer is the conversation where your life and God meet.
Think about it. Jesus knew Himself only in relationship to His Father. He knew He couldn’t do life on His own and so He talked with God about everything. Remember when He was about to be crucified? He prayed and said…Father, let’s not do this if we don’t have to…it’s where Jesus was…He expressed what He was feeling…He didn’t worry about how He would sound or if the words were just right. His prayer was simply the conversation where His life and God met.
How about David? We have the benefit of reading many of his prayers throughout the scriptures, particularly the Psalms. David made some big mistakes in his life but he prayed. God, forgive me. When he was pursued by his enemies he prayed…God, protect me! God, where are you? God, how long? It’s where David was…it reflected what was going on in his life. His prayer was simply the conversation where his life and God met.
Finally, let’s consider the early church. This young community of believers was threatened by the religious leaders. They asked God to make them bold and courageous so that they could preach God’s word. Their prayer reflected where they were…they acknowledged the danger they were in and the desire of their hearts. Their prayer was the conversation where their life and God met.
Prayer is the conversation where your life and God meet.
So don’t be afraid to pray together. Remember, prayer is interconnected with all of our life and by spending time with God and others in prayer we integrate our lives with His and align our thoughts and actions with what He is doing in us. Do life with God and others. Share what’s happening and talk to God about it. Not because you feel it’s your duty, not because you are disciplined but because we need God and we realize that our life is interconnected with Him…always.