Prayer. As I shared before it is the ‘ultimate discipline’ (TC2 Daily Devotional 3/31/23). But how are we to pray? What does it look like? I will attempt to share some tips, but first a few scriptures and advice from what Jesus said.
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. 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. Matthew 6:5-8
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25
So praying really is about setting some time to converse with God, just you and Him. And your heart focus at that time is important. Is your heart focus to ‘get things from Him’? Is it about manipulating Him to give you what you want? Is it about ‘just doing the thing’ so you can get ‘brownie points’ from God? Or do you actually want to have an in-depth conversation with your Creator / Father / Counselor / Friend? How committed are you to actually listening to Him or are you just looking for a ‘one-way’ conversation? So… if your heart is right and you REALLY want to engage with God AND the Holy Spirit AND you really willing to listen — then you are at the right starting point.
Jesus laid out the “Lord’s Prayer” for an ‘example’ of what could possibly entail a ‘prayer’ towards God. I won’t use a ‘formula’ to try and give you steps. This real prayer is ABOUT real relationship. Do you have an agenda with your friends when you want to spend time with them? Maybe … if you haven’t seen them in awhile and you want to catch up on what’s been happening in their lives. But if you are praying daily, multiple times a day, and having a conversation with Him all day long … formulas are not how you would converse with a friend who is right beside you all day.
Heart posture. This might mean doing what Jesus suggested, and forgive the situation or person which is sitting like a ‘stone’ in your heart. Is your heart truly wanting to engage with God? Next is questions. Are you truly wanting to know what He thinks? You are going to have to ask Him questions, lots of questions. The more real you can be wanting to know His heart on a situation or issue will determine the depth of revelation you will receive from Him. Asking dangerous questions about your current inadequacies and situation will allow Him to tell you truths you weren’t ready for before. After asking questions is ..listening. Here is where you SHUT UP and listen. Often times that will mean waiting and calming yourself down, and quieting your mind to focus on what anything He might say to you… in your mind. Sometimes it could be a single ‘word’. That will most likely spur you to further questions. Sometimes it might be a single image. Again He is wanting to draw you in… making you question Him further. Listening throughout this entire process is ABSOLUTE key. Listening well is a discipline many still have not learned but need to. Follow through. This is important. Sometimes writing down things He shared with you in prayer helps you remember what He’s asking you to do … later. Some people call them prayer journals. But if you want to continue having these conversations with Him — you will actually have to DO the things He is asking you to do, if you want Him to give you ANY next steps or more revelation that will help you.
Prayer postures are for those who need to get themselves in a ‘humble’ status before Him, it’s ‘heart posture’ discipline. But that isn’t a ‘rule’. I pray all the time in my truck driving, eyes open, looking around while I ‘converse’ with Him. Prayer really is a conversation now — for those indwelled by the Spirit of God. If you don’t have the Spirit — then prayer is a formal request before the Judge. A statement read / said before the Judge. The Judge is RARELY your friend. I suggest the relationship with the Holy Spirit – it makes prayer so much more interesting.
Heart posture, questions, listening, follow through — simple things that might be used in every conversation with a …friend.