Knowing How to Pray

 Knowing How to Pray

Luke.11.1 - Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

Prayer is worship. Worship is all about prayer. Prayer is having a communion or communication with God. An act of conversing in the Spirit with God. Prayer is a spiritual act that involves physical expressions and spiritual understanding.  Understanding the act of praying is essential to building an effective and efficient Prayer life. 

One of the reasons we are often frustrated and tired of praying is because we really do not understand what prayer is. Many of us misconstrue the act of prayer as something noisy, a verbal or vocal expression of our desires to God which could sometimes be overly  mechanical or stereotyped exercise done in a particularly organised sacred place to a distanced, inaccessible deity.  Many people do not feel they have prayed until it involves some dramatic actions, utterances and hidden codes. 

Like Jesus taught His disciples, I want to say the act of praying is quite simple and personal. The act of prayer and worship encompasses every aspect of our lives.  A simple act of fellowship and communication with God which can be done anywhere, at any time and without any strict particular (how) posture. Prayer is spiritual because God is a Spirit and it will take sincerity of heart to communicate with Him. Prayer is firstly a thing of the heart and mind before connecting our bodies. Our physical dramas and organised acts like the Pharisees matter little without the true sincerity of our souls and spirits.  

Jesus says, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24.

Readings: Luke 11:1-14; James 4:1-17;  John 4:19-24; 

Prayers:

Oh Lord open our hearts to understand how to pray in Spirit and in Truth.  Teach and help us to pray as we ought to.  I pray in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.