I used to think that in order for prayer to count as prayer, it had to look a certain way. It needed to be intense, focused, and usually in the most uncomfortable position possible.
I used to think that in order for prayer to count as prayer, it had to last a certain amount of time. The longer the prayer, well, the better the prayer was.
I don’t remember anyone ever teaching me these things about prayer, but because of those beliefs (or thoughts) on prayer, there was lots and lots of PRAYERLESSNESS.
Wrong thinking leads to wrong living… I think we all know that. But similarly, if how we think about prayer is not consistent with how God thinks about prayer, well, PRAYERLESSNESS.
So, the question becomes… How would God have us think about prayer?
Thankfully, Jesus provides an answer for us.
When speaking to the crowds about prayer, specifically about NOT praying in hopes to impress people, here’s what Jesus had to say…
“When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private.”
Matthew 6:6 (NLT)
Jesus is not saying that there is never a place for corporate or communal prayer… not at all.
But what Jesus is saying is that prayer is between you and the LORD.
How long should you pray?
How intense should your prayers be?
What position should you be in while praying?
What should you be praying about?
All great questions… and here’s how I’d answer those questions.
Find a quiet place where it’s just you and God and in prayer, ask Him those questions. And whatever the LORD lays upon your heart to do, well, do that.
For Jesus, prayer had EVERYTHING to do with simply being in the presence of God.
During these 21 Days of Prayer, I have been LOVING our evenings of prayer… honestly, the most favorite part of my day. But like many, when I’m praying out loud with others around, I still get self-conscious. Meaning, I distract myself with questions like…
‘Did that sound ok?’
‘Did I say it the right way?’
‘Were others impressed with the passion of my prayer?’
I don’t like that my mind wanders there, but it does. But guess what? When in a space where it’s just me and the LORD… that struggle is gone.
Again, corporate prayer is crucial to the health and vitality of the church… so let’s keep praying together, or to say that another way, let’s keep being in the presence of God together through prayer. But let’s also do daily what Jesus told us to do…
GET ALONE IN A ROOM AND BE WITH GOD.
And whatever happens in that room, well, that’s between you and the LORD.
So wherever you find yourself on Day #13, find a private place where you can close the door behind you and meet with God, and God can meet with you.
