Matthew 6:5-8 (ESV)
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Serving the Living God is a powerful reality. Being able to pray to the Living God is equally powerful. Knowing that He already knows what I have need of before I ask blows my mind!
As a parent, I've learned to look for certain clues which have given me keen insight into something my kids have done or said. Often, they wonder in amazement as to how I figured "it" out. However, this only happens occasionally. But the simple fact is, I don't always know what my kids want or what they have done, especially before they do it or ask for it.
But my Heavenly Father does! He knows what I have need of BEFORE I ask for it. Before I realize my need, God already knows it, and knows what I need to overcome and get through. That's powerful!
This perspective leads me to a better understanding of what prayer is all about. First, though, let's examine what prayer is NOT...
Prayer is not mindless babble.
It is not a one-way lecture.
Prayer is not simply giving God my request list.
Prayer IS my communication with God. It is time to express thanks for who He is and what He does. Prayer is an opportunity for me to draw closer to God and strengthen my relationship with Him.
Praying together is something the Bible instructs us to do. We see this throughout the book of Acts as they daily went to the temple at the hour of prayer. So, why does Jesus suggest that when one prayers to do it alone in their prayer closet?
The daily prayer in the temple was a season of cooperate prayer of the whole church. It was a time to come together to offer to God worship and thanksgiving. However, one should have a relationship with God that transcends church. If your only prayer life is at prayer meeting, you'll be weak in the faith. Creating a consistent relationship with God through private prayer is rewarding and refreshing.
Jesus also addressed those that heaped up empty phrases during prayer, explaining that this somehow qualified their prayers. But the fact is, if you have nothing to say, then remain silent. Maybe God is trying to speak back to you. Saying things for the sake of just saying them makes no sense in conversation, and neither do they in prayer.
Often, I find myself asking God what His prayer requests are. How many times do we take our list to God? And, we should. Scripture tells us to bring our petitions to the Lord with thanksgiving. But, I wonder how many times we pray "locally" when God desires us to pray "globally"!
Consider this - if God answered the prayer requests you prayed for today, who would benefit the most? You? Others?
Keep praying, but change your perspective to how God views prayer. Let it revolutionize your relationship with Jesus. Prayer is not optional, it is vital. Prayer is to the soul what water is to the body. God desires to commune with you. He awaits you in your prayer closet...
