Christian Living

Prayer Made Simple

by paul hoffmaster
02/28/21
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What is the purpose of prayer?  Why do we pray?  Is God more likely to answer corporate prayers of agreement?  Suppose someone is sick and a “prayer chain” is activated to make the prayer more effective.  Is God more likely to answer a prayer that is supported by a large group of petitioners versus one person’s request?  If God already knows what we have need of before we ask, why are we told to pray? (Matthew 6:8)  In the New Testament, the word Prayer or a form of the word is used over 174 times.  Obviously, prayer plays a very important part in the life of the Christian, but to what degree? 

A library of books has been written on this subject.  Everything from how to pray, to getting your prayers answered, has occupied the consciousness of the Christian.   Many of these books serve as tutorials to help one understand what prayer is all about.  The anatomy of prayer is so dissected that one ends up more confused with what prayer is all about.  There is nothing wrong with these “Bible helps” but they must never be substituted for what THE BOOK has to say on the subject!  Many authors today write as they are moved by their own minds instead of being directed by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:21)  Maybe people believe that they have to improve or elaborate on what God says in His Word.  Over the years, I have found that people quote more from Christian books than they do from the Bible.  Everything you need to know about prayer is found in God’s Word!  There is no substitute for personal study.  Ignorance is self-motivated.  Spiritual Laziness is defined by letting someone else do the research and then adopting what they wrote as spiritual Truth.  There are some good books out there, but every one of them must compliment the Word!

Prayer is simply talking and listening to God.  God will not grade your grammatical structure.  He understands what you are saying even though your words seem like a jumbled mess.  He knows what you are saying even in the midst of your crying and frustrations.  He looks forward to hearing from you as much as you enjoy hearing from Him.  One of the most important aspects of prayer is bringing us into a consciousness of God.  Prayer takes our mind and emotions from the problem and centers it on the author and finisher of our Faith. (Hebrews 12:2)  Starting our prayer with “Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name” brings us into an awareness of His Holiness and power of His name.  When we know that God already knows what we are about to ask Him, it makes it easier for us to express our needs.  When we pray we are acknowledging our limitations and at the same time His vast unlimited Grace.   God’s power is not influenced by the number of petitioners but by the sincerity of the individual that initiates the request.  The reason people call others to prayer is more for their support than for tipping the scale for God’s response.

Prayer is so simple, yet we make it so hard to understand.  How was your conversation with God today?