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
