When You Pray

“Most Christians have a complicated relationship with prayer.”

That was the first sentence in an email I received this week. The subject line of the email was 3 Actionable Ways Church Leaders Can Emphasize Prayer This Fall. It was an article written by Michael Kelley and published by Church Answers.

The author sets up his observation by saying:

On the one hand, every Christian understands prayer is not only the means by which we communicate and draw near to our Heavenly Father, it’s also God’s prescribed means for change to happen. In that sense, there’s never a wrong time to pray.

He finishes his observation by saying:

On the other hand, there are few things in our lives as Christians that create a greater sense of guilt. Despite knowing we should pray, we often do not. Or we don’t pray long enough. Or faithfully enough. Or fervently enough. Even though prayer is an incredible privilege, we often find ourselves feeling lacking.

As a pastor I wish his observations were not true. As a believer, I know that they are.

There is a continuum of curiosity and confusion that began with Jesus’ first disciples who said “teach us to pray,” and will end only when the trumpet sounds to call us home.

It was Jesus’ intention that prayer would be the most understood and practiced of disciplines. The fact that it is not is a reproach upon His followers, not upon Him. His manifesto (aka the Sermon on the Mount), included clear teaching about prayer.

Approaching Prayer, Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew 6:5–8 NKJV

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Prayer is talking to God, 5

Prayer is private, 5-6

Prayer is personal, 7-8

Approaching God, Matthew 6:9-13

Matthew 6:9–13 NKJV

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Approaching God as a person

As a Father who is God, 9

As a King who is coming, 10

As a Provider who is able, 11

As a Forgiver who is merciful, 12

As a Deliverer who is present, 13

As a Creator who is all, 14

Approaching God as a conversationalist

Having a conversation with people sometimes comes down to finding the right topic. That is true of our conversations with God as well. What do we talk to God about? “Anything and everything” is a true as it is unhelpful. It turns out that the way is also the what.

Jesus gives us at least 10 ideas of what to talk about.

Talk about your relationship with God, 9

Talk about your wonder at God’s holiness (and other attributes), 9

Talk about your place in God’s kindgom, 10

Talk about your determination to know and follow God’s will, 10

Talk about your desire for God’s rule, 10

Talk about your needs and God’s provision, 11

Talk about your need for God’s forgiveness, 12

Talk about your need for God’s help in forgiving others, 12

Talk about your temptations and God’s deliverance, 13

Talk about your recognition of God’s sovereignty as creator, 13

Approaching People, Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 6:14–15 NKJV

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Understanding the impact

This is a tough one. Does Jesus mean to say that God will not forgive me if I don’t forgive other people? No. And, yes.

On the No side

What does God require me to do in order to receive forgiveness? (It’s not nothing)

Admit that I am a sinner: I have created more debt with God than I can repay

Believe Jesus died in my place, for my sins: He paid all of the debt—with its interest and penalties—that I owed God

Confess my belief to God that He can and will forgive me as I am asking Him to because of what Jesus did for me

Forgiving other people is not a condition of my salvation.

On the Yes side

Those who are unable or unwilling to extend forgiveness are also unable or unwilling to request it

Those who do not request forgiveness do not receive it

This is rooted in our free will. God gave us the ability of self-determination and He will not violate that and force Himself upon us. If we decide that we do not want or need His forgiveness, He will allow us to face His justice ourselves.

While forgiving other people is not a condition of my salvation, believing in forgiveness is.

Understanding the application

We can cancel debts or we can accumulate them

Those who have had their debts forgiven, are characterized by being forgiving

Those who characterized by accumulating debts, demonstrate they have not been forgiven

Forgiven people are forgiving people

Conclusion

As we approach the subjects of prayer and prayerlessness in our own lives, we should not approach it as a mystery. Rather, we should approach it as subject whose mastery is possible.

Jesus knew “just do it” wasn’t enough, so He taught us how to approach God, how to converse with God, and how to make sure our approach to people does not interrupt our conversation with God.

Now that we know, “just do it” is enough.