What is prayer?
The way we think about prayer is all about how we think about God. If we have the wrong picture of God in our mind, it makes it difficult to pray the right way.
God is Our Father
Jesus referred to God as our Father - a new way to think about God. Now, some of us haven’t had great fathers here on earth, so that can affect how we think about God as a father. But, faith means believing in things outside of our own experience.
God is the perfect Father! He is good, loving, kind, and interested in you. He wants the very best for you and your life. God is all about relationships!
Related Post: Can We Really Pray Continually?
God is Jealous
The Bible says that our God is a jealous God. Again, we need to think about “jealousy” differently than we do on earth.
I think God is jealous for our venting. He wants us to vent to him. Jesus says in the Bible that He will carry our burdens (Matthew 11:28). So, when I pray, I discuss with Jesus the things that are burdens in my life.
God Wants a Relationship With Us
Our approach to God should be without fear or hesitation. God just wants relationship with us.
When my children were small, my wife and I would pray with our kids before they went to bed. We found it adorable the things that they would pray about! They talked to God about whatever was on their mind - Jesus, Batman, spaghetti, swimming lessons. God wants to hear those prayers!
God loves us and just wants to talk with us. We should talk about everything that bothers us, concerns us, keeps us up at night, or makes us happy and joyful!
God is Big Enough to Care
God is big enough to be paying attention to us all the time. And, He can do that for all of us, all at the same time! We are not bothering Him when we talk about the smallest details or the largest things in our lives.
The Lord's Prayer
If you're looking for a way to pray, think about the Lord's prayer. Jesus's disciples asked Him how to pray, and He gave them an outline. Many of us think of it as a word-for-word prayer and say it by rote, often without thinking. But, it's supposed to be an outline on how to pray, so we can use it as a guide.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
The main thing about prayer is to talk to God. He wants to hear from us, and He yearns for more relationship with us. Whether things in your life are good or bad, whether you sinned or avoided sin, whether you’re joyful or sad, God wants to be there for us and He is jealous for our attention.
Related Post: 8 Ways to Pray Throughout the Day
