What About Prayer?

Prayer is not a ritual of words but the invitation by God for each of us to talk to Him about anything we face and to offer Him our gratitude for who He is and all that He has done for us. Prayer should also include moments of listening – as our God has created us with the capacity to listen to His voice and promptings. Someone asked me a thought provoking question the other day. They said, "Is it selfish to pray for yourself and do you do it?" I felt like breaking out into an old M.C. Hammer song: "You got to pray just to make it today!" Truly that is how I feel and yes it is fine to pray for yourself and of course for others. When you read prayers in the Bible, the overwhelming majority of them are prayers that are prayed for the benefit of someone else. When Paul talks about prayer, he nearly always talks about prayers that he prays for someone else. Truth is the majority of my prayers are for others but there are some examples in the bible of prayers that were prayed for self. When we pray for ourselves, what should we pray? Winning Lottery numbers, a new car, a new house, or a new computer? Is it right to pray for success, to pray to close the deal or get the promotion? Simply answered we can pray for anything that is on our heart and mind but we should not allow our prayers to drift into things that are temporal and petty when we have not addressed the most important things. Let me suggest these. First, Pray for God's mercy and favor. When Jesus encountered a man considered a sinner by most religious people, the man's prayer was simple and to the point: God have mercy on me, a sinner. (Luke 18:13). Every time someone had an encounter with God in the bible, they always realized their heart condition and they were moved to say things like: I am a sinner or a person with a dirty mouth, or my heart is wicked. The purpose of prayer is not to sell God on the idea that, deep down inside, you really are a good person. Neither are you playing the role of an attorney, pleading your case before the judge. God already knows you inside out. He knows every good thing and every bad thing about you. You can't negotiate with Him. You can only come to Him as you are, pleading for mercy and favor. The good news is that when you come to God for mercy, He gives it to you. What does he expect in return? The same thing: mercy. He expects you to show mercy to others. Jesus said it clearly; Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7) Jesus also taught us to pray and to declare; Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12) Asking for mercy is where prayer begins. Showing mercy to others becomes a conduit through which God answers our prayers. Second, Pray for God's help. I read about a man who was on his death bed and said: "I've never been a praying man. I'm not going to be a hypocrite and start praying now just because I'm in trouble." The hospital chaplain told him, "It's not hypocritical to start doing now what you should have been doing all your life. Neither does it make sense to compound your mistakes by refusing to turn to God at this moment in your life." When your life is in a mess--even if it's all your fault--you can still turn to God for help. Don't let pride or shame prevent you from seeking his help in your life. Just because you have messed up, don't compound your mistakes by refusing to turn to God for help. You may recall the story of Jonah and how he ended up in the belly of a huge fish or whale. Her is what Jonah said: "In my distress I called to the Lord and he answered me. From the depths of a grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose into your holy presence. (Jonah 2:1-2,7) No matter what stage of turmoil your life may be in, ask God for help. The book of James says: Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. (James 5:13) When you pray to God for help, be ready to do whatever it takes to straighten things out. You do what you can do and then God does what only He can do. If your situation is impossible, God will do the impossible part--if you're willing to do your part. With thanksgiving, (Jonah said) ...Salvation comes from the Lord." (Jonah 2: 9 & 10) Jonah couldn't get himself out of the belly of the fish--he needed God's help for that to happen and he meant business to change --but he recognized God was his helper. Third, Pray for God's Strength. A man was deep in prayer: "Dear God, Today I've done alright. I have been good - I haven't lost my temper, I haven't spread any gossip, I haven't been selfish or over-indulgent nor had one impure thought. But in a few minutes God, I'm going to get out of bed and from then on, I'm going to need all the strength I can get!" That's a good prayer, and that's a good way to start the day: ask God for his strength. The fact is that you don't have enough strength to make it on your own. You need God's strength at work in your life, and he is willing to make it available to you. King David prayed: When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need. (Psalm 138:3 NLT) Fourth, Pray for God’s Blessing. Jabez prayed: "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." (1 Chronicles 4:9) Asking to be blessed is not selfish--if your desire is to be a blessing back to God and to others. In fact, you can't be a blessing to others unless you yourself are blessed. I'm not referring specifically to material blessings; this applies to "spiritual" blessings as well. You can't share your joy with others if you have no joy to share. You can't give love to others if you have no love to give. You can't show patience if you don't have patience...and on and on. The word “blessed” has also been translated happy or content. You wee when you are content it is easy to take the focus off of self and onto God and others. Fifth, Pray for God’s Purposes and Will. Jesus encouraged us to pray... "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) Later, when Jesus was facing death, he prayed an interesting prayer. Alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed... "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39) In prayer our underlying motive is "Not my will, Lord, but yours be done." You may ask God for to guide you and give your courage and even provide you with the things you need but, you must always focus on your obedience before Him and the heart to take action.