Christianity and Prayer
God wants to hear from you. He wants you to share your thoughts and feelings; your fears and worries; your troubles and your triumphs. God wants you to have a close, personal relationship with him. And we haven’t always understood this. For instance, most people living in the times of the Old Testament believed God was distant and unapproachable. But Jesus helped people view God from a new, more illuminated perspective. In his ministry, Jesus taught that God does want a relationship with his children. And one way to nurture a personal connection with God is through prayer. That’s why Jesus often prayed in front of his disciples. He wanted to show them how they could feel God’s presence more profoundly. Prayer is powerful. You can pray for anyone, anywhere in the world, at anytime. You can pray for individuals or groups of people. When offered for the benefit of others, they are prayers of intercession.
And there are many other kinds of prayers, including ones of praise, thanksgiving, confession, and petition. A prayer of petition normally asks for a specific result, such as reconciliation. It might sound like this: “Gracious God, help me to reconnect with my daughter. She’s struggling right now, and I love her so much. I want to support her and be an important part of her life again. Amen.” A prayer of praise honors and glorifies God as we worship him. It could be something like: “Heavenly Father, you are a glorious God; a God of infinite love and grace. You are all-knowing and ever-present; the supreme Creator of all that is good. May I forever bathe in your Light. Amen.”
In a prayer of confession, we acknowledge our mistakes and ask God for forgiveness. It might sound like this: “O Gracious God, I’ve done things that have hurt the people who love me. I deeply regret my choices and mistakes, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please guide me as I make amends and try to ease the pain I’ve caused. Amen.” And finally, a prayer of thanksgiving expresses gratitude for the blessings we receive from God. It could be something like: “Divine Father, thank you for your unconditional love and forgiveness. I’m grateful for the abundance of gifts you provide: for the beauty I see in nature, for the support I receive from family and friends, and for the peace I find through prayer. Amen.”
Prayer has no limits. You can ask for strength, guidance, wisdom, insight, comfort, courage, perseverance, patience, protection, vigilance, or self-discipline. You can ask for help in building strong character. You can pray for help as you try to be more kind, compassionate, loving, and forgiving. You can ask for help in building better relationships with family members, friends, or coworkers. You can ask for help with your job or guidance on finances. And your words can be spoken out loud, or they can be silent. Either way, God knows what is on your mind and in your heart. Whether you feel good, or not; whether you’re dressed up, or in pajamas; whether you’re driving a car or taking a shower, you can always talk to God. Those who are wise have learned that good habits lead to healthy routines. Are you willing to start and end each day with a prayer? Can you choose to make this one of your good habits? And as each day unfolds, are you willing to share your thoughts and feelings – to keep up your conversation with God? Can you choose to make this part of a healthy routine? Remember, there’s never a time or place where a silent prayer will not be appropriate and helpful.
Scripture suggests there’s no need to “babble on” or to think that God will favor longer prayers. Effective prayers can be simple, direct, and concise. And ideally, they should be genuine, pure, and heartfelt. For example: “Gracious God, help me to feel your presence and be an instrument of your will. Use me as a conduit of your light, love, and peace. Amen.” or “Heavenly Father, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Allow me to see your truth and to understand your plan for me during this difficult time. Amen.”
It’s confusing when our prayers seem to go unheard. But could it be that prayers are sometimes answered in a different way from what we desire, or at a time other than what we expect? For instance, a man may ask God to heal his body; and perhaps his body will be healed, but not immediately. Then again, a prayer for physical healing could be answered with opportunities for emotional or spiritual healing. Or maybe God will help heal a broken relationship instead of a broken body.
God always responds to the prayers which come from our heart, the prayers which express love; for such prayers are aligned with his will. Indeed, prayers of the heart are destined to receive God’s blessing. Ego-driven prayers, however, have little to do with love; and such prayers may go unanswered. Or, to think of it another way, God’s answer might be, “No.” And there’s one more scenario which can lead to confusion. Sometimes, we simply don’t recognize that God has answered our prayers.
Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” So perhaps you wonder: If God already knows my needs, then why should I bother to pray? There are at least two reasons. First, by reaching out to God, you’re making a conscious decision to seek his help, thereby honoring the covenant of free will. And second, with each prayer you offer, your relationship with God grows stronger. Jesus promised that when we seek, we shall find. When we knock, the door shall be opened. And as we grow in love and faith, we shall see the glory of God.
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It’s troubling when your desires appear to conflict with God’s plan. Yet, your most fervent desire is to enter the kingdom of heaven; a yearning that’s forever in harmony with God’s will.
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Prayer and meditation promote physiological changes. Your heart rate slows down and your blood pressure stabilizes. Muscles relax and tension begins to ease. And your brain releases endorphins that promote a sense of safety and well-being.
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There is no substitute for a relationship with God. Fortunately, we can build a meaningful relationship with God from anywhere – in our home, in a hospital, or even in a prison.
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After communing with God, Moses was radiant. Indeed, his face shone so brightly that he had to wear a veil. Such is the brilliance of God’s Light!
