Posted on February 25, 2024 Posted By: HCCCategories: journey
Heartland Community Church
THE JOURNEY
How NOT To Pray
by Molly Fisher
Prayer! Is there anything easier and harder? Completely understood and completely misunderstood? How do I pray? What do I pray? Does prayer make a difference? Pray for my enemies? Really? Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus and saw all he did, asked Jesus to “teach us to pray” in Luke 11:1.
We have so much to learn about prayer, which I will always be learning about. In this section of Matthew, I appreciated Kristin’s analogy to being a beginning runner – there are things to NOT do in running and prayer. I love that Jesus says the only way you can get it wrong is if prayer is for others to see or praise or because your pride gets in the way of praying because it won’t be good enough. Like most things involving a God who loves us, we just need to start where we are, exactly where we are: at home, in the car, at work, on a walk, with others, or by ourselves. Prayer is spending time with God, talking, listening, noticing, or just being with someone who knows your heart, mind, and soul and still loves you.
The God of the universe, who created us in his image and then sent his son Jesus to die for us, delights in being in a relationship with us and wants to spend time with us. Prayer is intimate and relational. It’s talking to and with another and being with them. Often, it’s asking for help. Pray what’s on your heart, pray pre-written prayers (aka liturgy), and pray verses from the Bible (most Psalms are prayers). In a podcast I was listening to about prayer (Rule of Life podcast), the panel said that prayer/asking is the purest form of intimacy and the “endgame” with God – the relational restoration of what was lost in Eden.
Our view of prayer and whether we are intentional about it forms and informs our relationship with God and who we believe he is. Biblical prayers often begin with God’s promises and an expectation of what God is capable of – what he said he’d do and holding him to it. What if our prayers were less about problem removal and more about promise application? Both require a connection and expressing our trust through asking.
There are no “right” words to pray. God is not impressed with what we say, how we say it, or who sees us pray, only the condition of our heart. Jesus is not saying don’t pray with others, in community, or at gatherings. Jesus IS saying don’t pray for show. Whether by yourself or with others, a humble heart seeking God will be rewarded with God’s presence. How can you check your motivation toward prayer?
Just like there are no right words, prayers do not have to be long and drawn out for others to hear and think we are wise. God already knows what we need. One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:26-27 “…when we do not know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us…” Sometimes, all we must do, even in our weakest moments, is just show up, allowing God to meet us right where we are. Where can you take the time to sit and allow God to show up for you this week?
Many people fast to participate in the season of Lent we find ourselves in right now. In doing so, most choose something to fast from and replace the time they would be doing that thing with time in prayer or Bible study. Like prayer, it’s something we don’t do for show or pity (because, let’s be honest, we often want people to know when we are doing something hard). Not for praise from others but as a discipline or sacrifice with only God’s knowledge, seeking only God’s reward. Have you ever fasted as a spiritual practice? If not, consider something you might fast from and replace that thing with time with Jesus. Take note of what you experience and learn.
God created you and knows you – knows everything about you, even the stuff you wish he didn’t. In your best moments, in your lowest moments, and all the times in between, God is right there with you. The language of prayer is personal, intimate, relational, and collaborative with God. Use this prayer today as a prayer back to God, thanking him for choosing to have a personal relationship with you.
Followers of Jesus are just that…followers. Our only care is to be what God thinks, and to know that God knows the motives of the heart. He will bring to light the good and the bad…what we hope to keep hidden. What we’ve done for show or the praise of others will dim compared to praise from God. “In prayer, we harness our will to do God’s will, to resist Satan’s will in this world.” (unknown/unremembered source). Prayer is a noun and a verb. As a verb, prayer is an intentional act that is formational for us as we seek the heart of God. Take time today and pray over your actions and motives, inviting God to help you check them and lay any burden down before him.
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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