Matthew 6:5-15, Colossians 2:6-15

 

Prayer is the expression of our relationship with God. It includes times of exhilaration and enjoyment, but the Bible also teaches us to expect to be disciplined and committed in our prayer.

 

A pattern of prayer
The Lord’s prayer was not intended as a form of words to be repeated blandly, but as a pattern of prayer to be dwelt on and used and developed. The model includes praise and recognition of God’s character (9), intercession for God’s action in the world (10), prayer for personal needs (11), repentance (12), reflection on our relationships with others (12,14,15) and prayer for protection (13).

 

The minute we think we have to use these exact words we’ve lost it, it becomes a ritual and we’re into religiousness. Hear how Eugene Petersen translates verses 7-9: The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

 

So, keeping in mind who we are praying to, let’s consider some principles covering the practice of prayer.

 

Prayer guidelines
Prayer has been given to us for our benefit and because it pleases God. Jesus asks for:

 

– honesty with God, rather than a covert attempt to influence or impress others (5,6); ‘look at me; listen to me; I’m praying, I’m spiritual.‘ cf MSG: And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. Matthew 6:5-9

 

– simplicity, rather than religious jargon (7,8); eg: ‘thee and thou’ or ‘Lord’ as every second word. What sort of relationship is that? Thee and thou indicate a formal, potentially religious relationship; repeated ‘Lord’ suggests one has forgotten who one is praying to, an overly casual relationship. Better to say ‘um’ – or better still think through what one will say and then say it in complete sentences.

 

– joyfulness, rather than grudging duty, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. If joy is missing it is likely that something is hurting your relationship with God. It may be sin, tiredness, or some other factor. But pray anyway.

 

 

Julian of Norwich, a fourteenth-century writer and mystic had this to say, “Pray inwardly, even if you do not enjoy it. It does good, though you feel nothing. For when you are dry, empty, sick or weak, at such a time is your prayer most pleasing, though you find little enough to enjoy in it. This is true of all believing in prayer.”

 

– regularity, rather than crisis binges (5,17) which goes with an ongoing relationship. Putting prayer on our schedule is often a neccessity to ensure that we don’t miss it out.

 

– thankfulness, as well as requests (5,18). Let’s not be one-trackers, selfish. Let’s not be always asking but also review our prayers and become aware of and thankful for God’s answers.

 

– awareness that the answer to our prayer may be the Holy Spirit leading us to changes in our own actions (5,19,20). Quite often you will be the answer to your own prayer.

 

– a clean heart (Psalm 66:18). Sin will always hinder our prayers so confess and get forgiven so as to draw near to God, hear his voice and feel his heart.

 

The rules of prayer
There are no rules of prayer as to when or how often we should pray. Jesus seemed to value a discipline of private prayer in the early morning (Mark 1:35). However, Peter chose the middle of the day (Acts 10:9) and Paul the middle of the night (Acts 16:25). None of them were restricted to those times. The right time to pray is when you feel like and when you don’t.

 

‘The moment you wake up each morning all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.’ -C. S. Lewis

 

In the Bible, there are references to prayer in private solitude and in public groups (Matthew 18:20), both by men and by women, with words and in non-verbal ways, but the Bible seems to commend all kinds of prayer that is regular (Ephesians 6:18 Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people.). The discipline required means being clear minded and self-controlled (1Peter 4:7 Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray.), and the Bible never leaves us in doubt about the power into which we are connecting when we pray (James 5:14-16 The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot.).

 

Action
Evaluate your prayer life on the criteria we went through and consider one action point you can apply.

 

 

Closing prayer
Jesus, Lord of all, I ask that you will give me:
times of discipline so that I may pray to you;
times of stillness so that I may hear you;
times of faith so that I may expect my prayer to be answered;
times of repentance so that my life may be changed to please you;
times of gratitude so that I may take joy in praising you.
And so through all the times of my life may my spirit be open to your Spirit,
until you return and I meet you face to face. Amen.