Simplifying Prayer: A Journey to Connecting with God
Remember the game of telephone from our childhood? How a simple message would get hilariously twisted by the time it reached the last person? Sometimes, our understanding of prayer can be a bit like that – complicated, confusing, and far from its original simplicity.
The Misconception of Prayer
We often think prayer is about saying the right things, or asking for signs to understand God’s will. But really, prayer is much simpler. It’s how we communicate with God. Just like David in the Bible, we might not always get it right, but that’s part of the journey.
Old Testament vs. New Testament Signs
In the Old Testament, signs were often sought from God, but in the New Testament, the focus shifts to a more personal relationship with Him through prayer.
The Practice of Prayer
Prayer is about setting aside time to intentionally be with God. It’s not about praying more or better; it’s about seeking union with God. John Mark Comer explains it beautifully, saying that prayer is to live each day more connected to our Father, being transformed into the likeness of Jesus, and filled with His Spirit.
Starting a Prayer Rhythm
Establishing a prayer rhythm is crucial. Ronald Rolheiser suggests that clear, simple rituals in prayer help carry us through times of tiredness and inattentiveness. Ask yourself: When and where will I pray? How should I pray? How long should I pray? Remember, if we can’t find 15 minutes a day for prayer, we need to reevaluate our priorities.
Different Forms of Prayer
- Talking to God: Use the Lord’s Prayer as a template, or find premade prayers for times of learning, exhaustion, travel, grief, and doubt.
- Talking with God: This involves gratitude, lament, petition, and intercession. It’s about honest conversation with God in any season of life.
- Listening to God: Often, we talk at God instead of listening. To hear Him, we must practice discernment and obedience, recognizing His voice amidst life’s noise.
- Being with God: True intimacy with God is like a marriage – deep, wordless, and about communion. 2 Corinthians 3:18 talks about reflecting God’s glory and being transformed into His image.
Practice Prayer to Encounter God
Begin with ‘The First 15’ – dedicate the first minutes of your day to God. Prayer isn’t just for times of need; it’s a daily pursuit of His presence.
Let’s start this journey together. As we practice, we grow, we connect, and we find our path illuminated by His presence.