Lean Into Scripture | Let Us Pray | Part 1

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” - Psalm 17:6

One of the basic fundamentals of Christian faith is prayer, yet many find it confusing to understand. Some of this unsureness about prayer and praying may be attributed to a number of different reasons.

Common contributors to prayer doubt can be: an overabundance of written material about the subject, bad habits acquired over the years, media misinformation, and just plain old bad advice. 

Hopefully, I can provide some clarity, assurance, and encouragement to your prayers. That being said, no discussion about prayer can begin without stressing the importance of it in our daily lives. 

Think of it as a direct link to God, and vice versa. Through prayer we can: communicate with Him, praise Him, and strengthen our relationship with him. We are never alone with God. Day or night, He is always there. (Matthew 28:20)

However, I need to explain some things that prayer is not. It definitely is not: negotiating or haggling with God; asking for something in a forceful manner; using God only when needing something; or as a means of "posing" before others. (Matthew 6:7)

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. God isn't a genie in a bottle to be used at our whim, nor is he a powerless God that can be manipulated through prayer. Sadly, this is exactly the view that too many have of God and prayer. (James 4:3)

The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once quoted, "Although prayer is native to man, there is the danger that he will misuse it. Although it is a natural outpouring of his spirit, there is the danger that he will use it in an unnatural way."

What then..? Is there a magic formula to prayer? Is there some secret to prayer? We sometimes have a tendency to make things far more complex and complicated than they need to be. 

When we resume this discussion next time, we'll pick-up what we started here, and also examine some other aspects of prayer that, God willing, will broaden, enlighten, and strengthen your daily prayer life.

Scripture: Psalm 69:30; Psalm 150:6; James 5:13; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 5:13

Prayer: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  - Isaiah 12:2

In His glorious name, 

Sophie