Answering Your Questions Part VII
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Should you force yourself to pray?
This is a really good question. When I hear this, I believe the person is getting at making ourselves pray even when we don’t want to. Like do we have to do this?
Let’s remember what Isaac shared last week: prayer is a conversation with God. We could rephrase this question to:
“Should you force yourself to talk to God?”
My question to this question is this, “what is the heart attitude behind talking to God?”
Because when you ask this question in the context of a relationship it makes a difference.
If you truly love someone, you will want to spend time with them. You’ll want to go to them and talk to them. Now, don’t get me wrong there are difficult times with every relationship, like talking to someone about hard things or confronting someone. We might not want to do that, but in love we will do it anyways.
So to answer the question: “Should you force yourself to pray?”
I believe we see in the Bible God desires authentic relationship with us, and any relationship that is forced, I believe implies inauthenticity and a lack of desire to be present with someone.
Here are a few passages of the heart attitude God desires when in prayer:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
In confidence.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
In humility.
And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
With a desire to seek and know God.
The Bible does encourage us and even command us to pray. Like in Romans 12:12. But this obedience is to come from a transformed heart through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Should your prayer be a certain length? / Should you summarize your prayer or make it longer?
One of the first passages we may think of with this question is the one Isaac had us read last week with Matthew 6. Matthew 6:7-8
“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. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Upon first glance it looks like Jesus says to not pray for very long. But, like the last question Jesus is focusing on the heart of the individual. “...for they think that they will be heard for their many words...” This is inauthentic relationship. The internal heart problem being pride with performance based acceptance. And externally (we see Jesus use the word hypocrites a few words before) praying long eloquent prayers not to talk with God from the heart, but to look good and holy in the eyes of men.
In the Bible we see Jesus pray long prayers (high priestly prayer in John 17) and we see Him pray short prayers.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
God wants us to approach Him for Him. Not thinking we have to say or do good enough for Him. But just giving Him who we already are.
I believe the next question relates to this one.
Should you never pray in public (Matthew 6:6)?
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.
It’s important to understand context with this one.
“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. 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.
2 things from this passage:
The heart attitude. Are you praying in order to be seen and praised by others? It is better to pray in secret then that. To not seek praise from others, but to seek to praise Christ
God wants us to spend time with Him alone.
Now with that being said, Jesus Himself prays in public. John 6:11 (Feeding of the 5,000, Jesus gives thanks to God), John 11:41-42
So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”
Jesus prays publicly in front of others.
It’s about the heart attitude, are you praying in public for your own glory and attention or are you praying for Christ’s glory and attention in true relationship with Him.
How to stay focused in prayer?
Another great question.
Here are a few different ways.
Ask God for help to stay focused, He wants to help us grow closer to Him.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
This is God’s heart. He wants to help us know Him.
Bring the wandering thoughts before God.
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
If you are having trouble staying focused in prayer because your mind is wandering, see this as an invitation to talk to God about what your mind is wandering too. (Great advice I heard from a conference I went to in January).
Set your mind on Jesus Christ
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Think about Jesus. Picture Him and who He has revealed Himself to be. I like to picture Christ thinking of me specifically when He was on the cross, and giving me a big hug after the resurrection.
How do you teach younger people to pray?
So many good questions.
Ask God to teach them, and to use you in teaching them.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
We need the Holy Spirit’s help and power to teach others. (Anything of God actually)
Model for them what it looks like to pray (converse and relate with Christ)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
We represent Christ to others. God can use this in someone’s life mightily.
Teach them what God says about prayer through scripture
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; Jesus teaches us how to pray throughout the gospels Matthew 6.
-> Relationship with God, and conversation with Him.
Questions for you:
What is your heart attitude in prayer? (Are you rushing it to be done and to check a box? Are you forcing yourself to do it out of a religious obligation? Do you genuinely want to be in relationship with Jesus?)
Do you make time to spend with Jesus? Are you still with Him?
