The Mystery of Prayer
By Susan Klein
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”
Jude 20
By Susan Klein
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”
Jude 20
There is so much to be said about the
subject of prayer. At times it can seem overwhelming. There are books on prayer,
prayer journals, even prayer beads and prayer shawls. There are postures of
prayer, prayer closets, places to pray, times to pray, and attitudes of prayer.
There are popcorn prayers, the Lord’s Prayer, silent prayer, praying out loud,
public prayer, fasting and prayer, praying back Scripture, intercessory prayer,
concerts of prayer, and devised methods of prayer. There is also the command to
pray. We know it is not to be taken lightly since it is mentioned in Scripture
approximately 580 times! But, there seem to be so many variables that make it
hard to discern which way is the best
way to pray.
After much personal study on this important subject, I have adopted a few simple ways to eliminate the confusion and enhance my own prayer times. First of all, just pray! It’s best not to get caught up in all the methods, times and places. Everyone has his or her personal preferences and we all learn what works best for us. I try to set aside a time each day for specific, intentional prayer, but if the Holy Spirit lays someone or something on my heart while I am driving or doing dishes, I don’t wait for the “right time,” I pray right then and there. Secondly, no prayer is unimportant or insignificant to God. Scripture tells us to bring everything to the Lord in prayer. Not just the really big things, but everything! And thirdly, listen. I find this to be one element of prayer that is often forgotten, yet one that is so very critical to our prayer time. Prayer is a two-way communication with God. When we are engaged in a conversation with another person, both parties speak and both parties listen. It should be the same in our conversations with God. He cannot speak to us if we don’t listen. Two of the Psalms tell us to “be still” before the Lord. The word “still” here implies a ceasing or letting go of everything, giving up all our distractions so that we may hear the very word of God spoken to our hearts. Most often, He speaks through His written Word, and sometimes He speaks directly to our hearts.
How awesome that the God of the whole universe desires to listen to our tiny voices and respond to us in a most personal way!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend some specific time with God this week just listening for His voice.
2. Consider starting a prayer journal to record answered prayer and God’s promptings to you.
FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:6; Psalm 46:10; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
After much personal study on this important subject, I have adopted a few simple ways to eliminate the confusion and enhance my own prayer times. First of all, just pray! It’s best not to get caught up in all the methods, times and places. Everyone has his or her personal preferences and we all learn what works best for us. I try to set aside a time each day for specific, intentional prayer, but if the Holy Spirit lays someone or something on my heart while I am driving or doing dishes, I don’t wait for the “right time,” I pray right then and there. Secondly, no prayer is unimportant or insignificant to God. Scripture tells us to bring everything to the Lord in prayer. Not just the really big things, but everything! And thirdly, listen. I find this to be one element of prayer that is often forgotten, yet one that is so very critical to our prayer time. Prayer is a two-way communication with God. When we are engaged in a conversation with another person, both parties speak and both parties listen. It should be the same in our conversations with God. He cannot speak to us if we don’t listen. Two of the Psalms tell us to “be still” before the Lord. The word “still” here implies a ceasing or letting go of everything, giving up all our distractions so that we may hear the very word of God spoken to our hearts. Most often, He speaks through His written Word, and sometimes He speaks directly to our hearts.
How awesome that the God of the whole universe desires to listen to our tiny voices and respond to us in a most personal way!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend some specific time with God this week just listening for His voice.
2. Consider starting a prayer journal to record answered prayer and God’s promptings to you.
FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:6; Psalm 46:10; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.
