Like Watching Paint Dry

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (NKJV)

Not meaning to be sacrilegious, but honestly, I believe those who feel praying is like watching paint dry is probably in the 90% range, and I’m being kind. The percentage is likely higher. Prayer is one of the hardest and most neglected of the spiritual disciplines God offers. Sometimes our difficulty comes in its silence, sometimes the timing, and at others believing that while God hears, He just doesn’t care. Prayer time for most is like living in Snoresville. Hey, I’m just being honest here.

In the gospels it is documented that Jesus would find time for early prayer, or to spend an entire night in prayer (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:15, 6:12). His disciples watched with careful observation and were apparently so encouraged with what they witnessed they desired to learn and practice this strength in their own lives (teach us to pray).

Many Christians have asked, me included, “So, if God knows everything we need, even before we ask, as Jesus Himself said, why bother to pray? That feels like a waste of time.” Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:8 brings a question that is asked in all seriousness, and it deserves a serious answer.

First, in today’s witnessed account it says, “when He [Jesus] ceased [praying],” shows us there’s a time for focused prayer and a time to tend to business. Please note Jesus did not respond to this disciple’s question with, “Shhh, I can’t communicate with you now, I’m praying.” He answered him.

It doesn’t mean you are any less of a Christian if you stop breathing or thinking prayer in order to do what needs to be done. God doesn’t stop working toward your highest good if you take a break from your time of prayer. When Paul wrote to the Colossian church to be devoted to prayer, he meant to be earnest or diligent towards it (Colossians 4:2).  

Some of the most amazing evidence of Christ working and leading in my life came when I wasn’t praying! It sounds counterproductive but those times surely established a deeper trust in Him, that He had heard me when I had prayed and immediately began moving. He sees in your prayers, and in you, that same worth!

Secondly, while God certainly knows what you need, you don’t. You’re not praying for God’s sake, but your own, to learn, grow and trust. You learn how to effectively know Christ in a deeper and more personal way. He’s not wanting you to get religious, He’s wanting you to get relational. 

Then follows trust. When you don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit does, and He intercedes for the right thing to the will of God. He does so with a depth that is incomprehensible but perfect for you (Romans 8:26). We come to know Him deeper still and see just how trustworthy He is to see to our needs perfectly.

When is God answering your prayer?  He never stops and is constantly working on your behalf. Read the report an angel brought to the prophet Daniel in Dan. 10:12, after Daniel prayed. God’s response to him was immediate. His response to our fervent prayers is immediate and affirms His great love, capacity, and capability. A slow revelation isn’t always due to you but might be to things in the unseen world involving spiritual warfare. Perhaps it may not always be the case, but it is something that, in consideration, could help us understand and persevere as we wait.

Finally, Jesus tells us we ought always to pray and not give up. He gives us the parable about an unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). A corrupt and uncaring magistrate who deferred justice to a certain woman. She refused to stop hounding him until she received it. He finally gave her justice just so she’d leave him alone. The Lord’s point was, and is, if this wicked judge gave justice through a person’s constant petition, how much more will your loving and perfect Father do the same for you to your best interest?

God works in more of a miraculous fashion. But He is always at work, and because He is perfectly holy, everything He does is perfect. An artistic masterpiece is done slowly with different tools, some larger, and some smaller that bring greater beauty and finesse.

The prayer Jesus gave in verses 2-4 is a model with reminders of necessary things that guide us in what to pray for. You can add to it with your own list. I have different methods in my communication with Him. I have a list of praises and petitions I have typed that I will read and pray over. Sometimes I will open the Psalms and pray them. With David’s heart, it’s easy to do. Sometimes I just sit quietly and ponder His power and purity and just be in awe of Him with praise and worship, and it's enough. Prayer can be done sitting, lying, kneeling, standing, walking, or driving. It’s not the posture of the body, but of the heart.

Imagine His pleasure when you begin to pray, as He turns His eyes toward you and says, “I’ve been waiting for all eternity for you to say that. Now, I am working on your behalf.” He calls those things that do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17).

Maybe watching paint dry to many might be Snoresville, but when it’s on and dry, the color enhances what it touches. With prayer He waits, He hears, He moves. He trains us to persevere in prayer and in that training builds trust, painting us a brand-new picture every time. Pray without ceasing. Pray without giving up. His angels are immediately sent on our behalf when we do.

Ken