When We Pray

In a previous article I exhorted readers to “Pray First, Pray Always” because for believers in Christ prayer is a requirement which is vital in building our relationship with God.  Initially, When We Pray, it might seem awkward and very uncomfortable but with the help of the Lord this uneasiness will subside. 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Luke 18:1 (KJV)

As a “babe in Christ” I literally thought I would faint when asked to pray out loud. Many times I contemplated not attending prayer meetings to avoid this humiliation.  Then I discovered my misconception: I was praying to be seen by others and not praying to my unseen Heavenly Father.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)

Jesus was not prohibiting public praying but rebuking the manner in which it was being practiced. Like the hypocrites and pagans referenced I had also fallen into this pitfall of being concerned more about what other people thought of my prayers rather than focusing on who I was praying to.

When asked by his disciples “Lord, teach us to pray…”  (Luke 11:1, NKJV), Jesus emphasized firstly that when we pray our prayers must be addressed to God, “Our Father in heaven…” ( v6).  We have been taught this model prayer, “The Our Father Prayer”, at a very early age and therefore when we pray we automatically address God as Father but are we truly talking to or communicating with our Heavenly Father?

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luke 18:10-12 (NKJV)

This parable of Jesus clearly demonstrates that the Pharisee even though he addressed God he “prayed thus with Himself” and not with God.  Therefore, as taught by Jesus When we commence praying let’s focus on God Our Heavenly Father not merely by lip service but indeed with a humble heart.

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 18:13 (NKJV)

Let’s examine our prayer life and make sure when we pray we are truly praying to our unseen Heavenly Father, with a humble heart and not merely to be seen or heard by others.