Friday, 19 February 2010
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Struggling With the Concept of Prayer
I don’t know about you, but I struggle with the concept of prayer. I know that the Scriptures clearly state in many places that prayer is very very important–even vital to the believer–a lifeline between ourselves and heaven. But I haven’t become that mighty ‘prayer warrior’—a force to be reckoned with, just yet. Don’t misunderstand me–I pray each and every day–usually. But for me, it is an ongoing daily struggle–one which I am not at all certain I will ever win.In fact, I have been inclined lately, to feel a little discouraged over the whole matter. I have a friend who has openly declared (not once, but twice) that for the believer [read: for him], prayer is one of the easiest things in the world. And he should be right!! I mean, we don’t need complex hard to use equipment, or have to go to a special place or chamber for our prayers to be heard, or have to use a particular language or have to address God in some exceptional manner. In fact, we don’t even have to speak at all–we can just think our requests if we want to. Prayer is available to us night or day no matter where we are or what we are doing. We can petition God with as little as one word appeals and He is willing to hear and answer. Prayer is one of the easiest things in the world–right there near at hand! So what’s the problem?
I’m not sure. I don’t think I can put my finger on it exactly, even though I have grappled with the issue off and on for many years. I am aware of two pertinent things Peter said about prayer:
"The same goes for you husbands; Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals, [so that nothing will hinder your prayers--NIV]" (I Peter 3:7 [MSG]).
1. Failing to exercise a high level of honor and respect in our relationships (specifically with our spouses as Peter referred to them here in his letter) will have the effect of "hindering" our prayers.
". . . Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray" (I Peter 4:7 [NIV]).
2. Though prayer may be close at hand, it is not going to be readily available to the person who is not learning to think straight and exercising a certain level of discipline in his/her life.
There is one other item I have come across in recent days that has encouraged me to some degree in the continuing struggle I experience with prayer. It is the very familiar passage dealing with the Holy Spirit’s work of interceding for us when we find it difficult if not impossible to express in words what we long to communicate to our God. Though Paul had always been a strong advocate of praying ". . . on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests . . . ," in the context of Romans 8:, Paul very candidly just lets er’ rip:
"We do not know how [or what] to pray for. . . " (Romans 8:26 [NIV]).
What was Paul’s confession here?—That on occasion, he struggled to know what to pray–That he often didn’t know how to pray–Or that he always found it difficult to know what was needed in prayer? I’m not at all certain. But one thing I know; If the inspired Apostle Paul found prayer difficult (even occasionally), then I will not be so discouraged when I often find myself in the uncomfortable and troubling situation of not knowing how or what to pray for. Besides, I am confident in the Spirit’s ability to bear that clumsy or elusive request to the throne of grace so that it is perfectly communicated to my Father in heaven. And that brings me great comfort. How about you?
Do you struggle sometimes with the concept of prayer? How do we overcome this struggle? How can we encourage those who are struggling to pray?
". . . Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me . . . . Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should" (Ephesians 6:18-20 [NIV]).
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- From: Mr_Turniphead@xanga
- Name: Mr_Turniphead/ Lynn
- About Me: 'Lynn' means: "Stream of refreshment." --Preferred alternate meaning: "Babbling brook".
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Comments (14)
For myself, it was almost always a struggle to pray. When I was younger it was because I felt those around me (during prayer meetings) would think my prayers were stupid or that I wasn't doing a good job. I would get nervous and not know what to say. It all sounded so repetitive to me.
After I developed my eating disorder, I prayed even more, begging God to take away this demon that I struggled with. As the disorder grew worse instead of getting better, I fell away from prayer entirely. I was convinced that my disorder was a sin, one which I knew I didn't have the strength to get rid of, so I became afraid and ashamed to pray. I "knew" that I was living in sin and that I couldn't seem to escape it, so I was a hypocrite to go before my Father on bended knee and ask for forgiveness when I would most certainly continue to fall.
Now that I am actively seeking help for my problems, prayer comes a little easier. Even if it is just a, "Thank you Lord for allowing me to wake up this morning and fight another day." I think that is what really matters. I would continually encourage people to seek God on all things, no matter what their struggles. Even if it something as small as thanking Him for all the blessings we recieve. For the very act of waking up in the morning. You don't always have to be requesting something in order to talk with God. He's there for anything we need.
I trust that even though I speak as a child to God and oftentimes have no idea what to say, He knows the desires of my heart and answers them. I imagine for Him it is like a parent listening to the first nonsensical syllables of a little baby, there being a delightful music about it, but rejoicing when the first actually word is spoken. One does not need to become a great warrior of prayer, not at all; after all it was the women of the Gospel we hear hardly anything about that had the courage to go all the way to Golgotha with Him, whereas his cohort of warrior apostles, even St. Peter with his sword, fled in terror. Trust in the love of the Father who hears you, who understands you even better than you do, and as you continue to pray, pay attention to the way God is at work in your life. As you see His work bearing fruit, you'll start to understand yourself better, based on how God is answering even your unspoken prayers, and with that understanding you'll better know how to pray. Just as we are called to say, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening," He invites us with, "Speak, Child, your Father is listening." These are my thoughts, anyways; I hope at least one of them is helpful!
Prayer keeps me sane!!!
"Prayer is not so much about convincing God to do what we want God to
do as it is about convincing ourselves to do what God wants us to do." -Shane Claiborne
Do you struggle sometimes with the concept of prayer? How do we
overcome this struggle? How can we encourage those who are struggling
to pray?
There have been points in my life where prayer was nothing but excruciating pain. I would leave prayer times in more hurt and anguish than when I started. That lasted for months and sometimes years. During that time it was becoming clearer that God was doing a secret work. I was not mature enough to understand it, I called it spiritual chemo. Basically God was cleaning transforming me and teaching me deep compassion but at the time I thought he was a sadist.
Over time and more prayer he changed that. I then went from a more cataphatic or verbal prayer form to a more quiet apophatic prayer form. I learned to listen more than talk and that helped. I went from learning traditional protestant forms of prayer to learning from our Roman Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters and that transformed my prayer life. Instead of doubting God's love for me I embraced it. If there is anyway in your prayer times where you can face the pains and hurts you believe then that might change your struggle. You are in a great spot to grow even though it is painful right now. If you let go and learn from your heart in this struggle you will transform and probably have a prayer life you can only imagine.
p
I've been in church all my life. Prayer is a struggle for me, since I think my prayers sound stupid when said out loud. All the people around me during Bible study or whatever sound so refined so I'm always worried I sound like an idiot.
I recent overcame a dry time in my life where I was lazy to pray. God transformed my laziness because I continually cried out to him, that I need more energy to pray. I have been praying on tongues a lot and the Holy Spirit has really been coming alive in me when I pray that way, sometimes I can't stop it and it will go on for 30 minutes. I want to stress the important of always praising God for his accomplishments in your life and always remember to let him speak. While he understand you have needs, if you trust him, much of that will be taken care of automatically, so it's important to come and listen and let him guide you schedule. Your life should glorify God, so remember that in your prayers.
A) I struggle deeply with prayer on a daily basis. I always attempt to. But it is ridiculously hard. I often feel like a failure because I haven't prayed right ... whatever "right" means.
B) To overcome this struggle, I only have pragmatic advice such as to walk around the room to get your blood pumping and to pray with the Bible because God will sometimes direct you to a passage while praying.
C)I would encourage them by saying, "I know exactly how you feel. Let's pray together." Nothing to get your prayer veins gushing than to pray with someone else. :)
good post! and nice verse.. :)
According to Saint Paul, we know not ought how we should pray, but it is the Holy Spirit that groans within us. That makes prayer a mystery, an action undertaken by God, not by us.
I think @Pashe@xanga was on to something when he said, I learned to listen more than talk and that helped.
Acknowledgement: Address God. Ex: "Dear God,..."
Confession: Admit your sins and ask for forgiveness. Ex: "Please forgive me for becoming lax in my daily devotion to you..."
Thanksgiving: Give Thanks. Ex: "Thank you for waking me up this morning, and thank you for the great day I had..."
Supplication: Ask humbly for your desires. Ex: "Please help me as I try to be a lighthouse for you, and please help me to find Your strength when my will becomes weak."
Recently, I've said, "God, please reveal your plan for my life."
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The brethren asked Abba Agathon: "Amongst all our different activities, father, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?" He answered: "Forgive me, but I think there is no labor greater than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies the demons try to prevent him; for they know that nothing obstructs them so much as prayer to God. In everything else that a man undertakes, if he perseveres, he will attain rest, but in order to pray a man must struggle to his last breath."
--Sayings of the Desert Fathers (found at the Divine Hours page of the Ann Arbor Vineyard website)*******************************
It reminds me that it's not just that I have trouble with it, but that there is a reason that it's hard.
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