The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says “Amen” and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than giving Him your ideas.-Frank Laubach

One day, there was a group of people who asked if there were any prayer requests and as such times arose, many volunteer personal concerns and needs. Out of this though, one of the members piped up and the prayer offered was asking for a new job for their spouse, more money from the job, a nanny, more customers and oh yes, please pray for everyone else,but it would be great if the new job was in “x” amount of digits and by the way, pray this was for a blessing and not just personal want..

What was interesting wasn’t so much the prayer itself, but the reaction to everyone around to the prayer.

Among the list of those who were lost, hurt or ill, and out of all this was this prayer that had a few shift uncomfortable in their seats and a few strained smiles.

Why do we pray?

Beginners, praying is our direct connection to our Heavenly Father, remember, we are advised to ask for anything and everything in prayer, however, when we pray to our Heavenly Father, it’s also a reminder not of us, or the trappings of the world, but rather to keep the focus on Him, not us.

I happen across this wonderful quote by C.S.Lewis that was written in,”Reflections on the Psalms”:

“I had never noticed” he writes “that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless (sometimes even if) shyness or the fear of boring others i deliberately brought in to check it. The world rings with praise - lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favourite game - praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges countries, historical figures, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, sometimes even politicians or scholars.

I has not noticed how the humblest and most capacious minds praised most… I had not noticed, either, that just as persons spontaneously praise what they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: ‘Isn’t she lovely?! Wasn’t it glorious?!! Don’t you think that’s magnificent?!!

The Psalmists, in telling everyone to praise God, are doing what we all do when we speak of what we care about!”

This is such a vivid reminder of how Jesus Christ laid the model for us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer.
For beginners, when we pray to Our Heavenly Father, we are to approach Him as we would anyone in casual conversation, after all that’s the blessing of our Father. He yearns to have a personal relationship with us all.

“But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking,” Matthew 6:7

But more than anything, prayer isn’t about trying to out beat the other. Prayer isn’t a competition. It’s a plea, a praise, and a worship to our Heavenly Father. There are no gold medals of who has the best prayer. (Okay, I couldn’t help throwing that in…watching WAY too much Olympics).

Prayer is both a private and personal act. It’s about humbling oneself and respect to our Heavenly Father. It’s not asking for the car keys, but asking Him to help us with our needs…not our wants. God isn’t a wish maker.

Matthew 6:5-13
And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

There is no denying that Our Heavenly Father knows our needs before we even speak what we need, so trying to hide or disguise our wants as something other is a lack of faith and belief and respect for our Heavenly Father.

I don’t on the other hand there is such a thing as unanswered prayers. Our Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves and He has already seen ahead what the results of our prayers are going to be. Sometimes just silence itself is an answer in itself, and it’s not because our Father doesn’t love us, but that He DOES love us so much, that He goes…wow…good thought, great prayer, but this will not be as beneficial in the long run as we think it will be for ourselves.

Instead of throwing our hands up in the air and feel frustration at our Heavenly Father, when it comes down to prayer, even a quick prayer that we didn’t lock the keys in the truck, have faith and trust and respect for our Heavenly Father.

He loves you so much that He isn’t going to give or not give you something, that HE already knows is or isn’t good for you.

God is watching out for you.

On that note, in the mood for a good laugh? Read some REALLY funny and real prayers that were overheard:

Acts 17:11: Humor: How NOT to pray

This one had me falling out of my chair laughing.:

“Lord, that lady who gestured rudely to me in my car today, I pray that you would slap her silly with your scorching judgment. Teach her not to treat your children that way, with a scathing rebuke from on high. Amen.”

Twitter This

Usuario: Password:

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you sign up for an email subscription for new posts sent straight to your email or via RSS Feed!

About the author

Twinkle Mom

Stay at home mother, home educator and owner of two dachshunds known as "Double Trouble",Twinkle Mom chronicles her reflections on being a Christian woman, wife and mother and her journey walking with God as she strives to grow in His light.

Copyright©2008 Twinkle Mom. All Rights Reserved

Tags: Devotionals, faith, God, Jesus Christ, Memes, praise, scripture, sermons, Sunday memes, Sunday Praise and Worship, worship