People have all kinds of methods of praying. Some feel they need to fold their hands. Some feel the need to kneel or lay prostrate on the floor or ground. Some lift their hand and heads, and others bow their heads. The question is ….. is there a right or wrong way to pray?
Some years ago, I had the privilege of visiting the Middle East, in particular, the land of Israel. While in Jerusalem, I went to the Western Wall also called the wailing wall, where people from all over the world come and bring their special prayers written on small pieces of paper to be put in the cracks between the stone. This wall is special because it is all that remains of Solomon’s original temple.
People have come to believe that if they place their prayers, their God will hear them. Over one million prayers are said to be collected every six months to be burned in a special fire on the Mount of Olives. It’s not just common people who do this ritual, but dignitaries from around the world, including our presidents.
I’m not sure if God takes special favor on those who make the trip to Jerusalem, however, I know when I participated in prayer there I sensed God’s presence in a unique way. I think it was because I know so many who come were hoping for God to move on their behalf that God actually shows up. From my experience and from reading the scriptures, God moves when people move in faith believing that God cares and he hears.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Solomon understood this principle when he dedicated the first temple, and prayed to God on behalf of the people who would come there.
1 Kings 8:35-36 (NASB)“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance.
When I lived in New York, I would travel to Lake George, which was about an hour away. I would walk along the shore and pray out loud, asking God to help me build a healthy church in Saratoga Springs. Years later people would say that I and others with me, built a healthy church, yet I knew ultimately it was the hand of God blessing the works of our hands.
TRUTH – If we would just go to God’s
word and see what he expects from us in prayer, I think we would have better success rather than just hoping God hears us.
In the book of Matthew Jesus lays out key factors about prayer that truly don’t have a lot to do with our location, but rather our attitude and posture.
Matthew 6:5-7 (NASB)“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
[6] “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
[7] “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
So many people feel awkward when praying because they don’t know how to approach God. One reason is because our guilt of past sins are not dealt with, and the other reason is because we are trying to give a good speech, which we know God can see right through. Why not take God’s advice and do what the Word says?
1) Don’t be a Hypocrite – The word hypocrite comes from the word “actor” which implies we should be honest & transparent.
2) Open your Heart – So much of public prayer is reading a well crafted speech rather than talking from the heart. Is there any reason why the average person doesn’t pray out loud in a group?
3) Come as a Child – It’s not our fancy words that convinces God of our request, but our trust in the relationship we have developed over the years.
This leads me to the last point – Jesus prayed a lot because he knew a good relationship requires time invested!
King David loved to spend time in God’s presence. He felt, because of his hunger for God, he could come boldly and ask for help.
Psalms 102:1-2 (NASB)
Hear my prayer, O LORD!
And let my cry for help come to You.
Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; Incline Your ear to me;
In the day when I call answer me quickly.
Question:
Do you cultivate a desire to be in God’s presence to see his face or just come asking for favors when you’re in need of his help?
May God help us to love our Heavily Father for who He is and not just for answers to our prayers.
Pastor Dale
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