Perhaps today is a good day to look at your prayer life.
Dare 2 Share - Three preachers sat discussing the best positions for prayer while a telephone repairman worked nearby.
"Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one.
"No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to heaven."
"You're both wrong," the third insisted. "The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor."
The repairman could contain himself no longer. "Hey, fellas,” he interrupted, "the best prayin' I ever did was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole!"
So why does it take the most desperate situations to bring out our most desperate cries to our Father? It’s almost as if we delight in handling life in our own strength, until life rears its ugly head and gives us a serious beat down…only then does the idea of running to Jesus cross our minds.
Just like those three preachers, I think we might have the wrong idea about what prayer is supposed to be all about.
Do I know what prayer is all about? Absolutely not! It’s probably one of the biggest mysteries in the universe. But don’t let that stop you from challenging your perception of the most powerful force in the universe.
For some, prayer is like carrying around an ‘emergency use’ cell phone. It doesn’t cost much, it’s cool to have around, and if there’s ever any trouble you can just dial for help.
For others, prayer is like dieting/exercise. You know you need to do it, you know it’s incredibly good for you- but it’s just too much work. So you talk about it, read about it, hear others chatter about it, even imagine what your life would be like if you did it…but you don’t.
For most, prayer is like an incredibly expensive gift. You are so honored that you received it, and you’d love to use it- but you’re just not sure how.
I think that’s why God went out of His way to send the instruction manual in the pages of Scripture. Because I’m not the one who has the right to tell you how to pray, what I thought might be helpful is to list some key passages that have to do with proper use and care of the amazing privilege called prayer. Please take time to slowly read and meditate over these words, because you never know when you could be hanging from a telephone pole!
Pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers, asking for everything you need. (Ephesians 6:18)
Once when Jesus had been out praying, one of his disciples came to him as he finished and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said, "This is how you should pray: "Father, may your name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us our food day by day. And forgive us our sins--just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation.” (Luke 11:1-4)
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayed for rain, and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again. (James 5:16-17)
Questions:
1) Which view of prayer best fits you?
2) Do you really believe prayer works? Why or why not?
3) What is one change you can make to improve your prayer life?
