Why Do You Pray? and When Do You Pray?
I would guess that most of us can recite “The Lord’s Prayer” without even thinking about what we are saying. It’s automatic, ahhhh but there’s the problem. In the passage of scripture from Luke 11:1-13, after Jesus finished praying, “one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1). The scriptures does not tell us which disciple asked but it does imply a need, a need that the disciples felt, and a need that we all feel at times-the need to become closer to, and to speak to our creator.
What Jesus gave His disciples was an incredible gift. He gave them a model for prayer, and it’s a wonderful model. But I have to believe that Jesus did not intend for that model to become the only prayer that some ever pray.
Let me repeat one of the questions in the title of the article, “Why Do You Pray?” There are many reasons for praying. During my high school and college years, I can remember praying that I might do well on an exam. I’m sure most of you have prayed in a similar fashion. I do recall praying more than a few times that my mind might be opened so that I might better understand chemistry or calculus. Similarly, I’m sure most of us have prayed for help with a specific problem. So, “Why Do You Pray? We pray for our families, for health, for the healing of someone close to us or by request for healing of a friend, for guidance and direction in our lives, for our church home, for the community, for a soothing rain, and so on. The list of things or situations that we pray for and when we pray is endless.
Prayer can be for so many different reasons, but we most often pray when we are in trouble or need something. But think about this-we are God’s children; when we pray, we should approach God as a child approaches a parent. When He taught His disciples to pray, Jesus started with “Father.” Jesus would have used the Aramaic word Abbaa word more accurately translated as “Daddy.”
Watch a small child when he or she addresses “Daddy.” Watch his or her eyes-there’s a sense of love…..adoration……when the word is spoken. I believe that God must feel that way when we-His children-begin a prayer with such adoration. Sometimes a child’s conversation with a parent is simply comprised of the child saying. “I love you.” That’s a good place to start when we pray to our heavenly parent. “Abba, I love you…..Father, I love you.” It’s called adoration. Don’t children also talk to their parents to say, “I’m sorry.” Confession-that is a form of prayer. We also teach our children to say “Thank You.” Thanksgiving is also a legitimate prayer form.
The Lord’s Prayer is a perfect prayer. But God isn’t necessarily looking for perfect. God is looking for love and sincerity. Pray from your heart and don’t be afraid to let your emotions show. When others pray, join in; be joyful and supportive and attentive with their prayers. Don’t be silent when you are speaking with God, our creator, make a joyful noise. Then be silent and know that God is with you and listening. Prayer is a conversation- a conversation with our one and only God. Make sure that the conversation is not one-sided. God is there. God is listening and God will answer our prayers.
May the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior and God our Father who listens when we pray and walks with us in all ways. Amen.
(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)