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Remembering the Purpose of Prayer
Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
We’ve all had it happen to us. We are at dinner with our family, or around the table for our small group, or a number of other circumstances, and then it happens. Someone turns to us and asks, “Would you like to lead us in prayer today?” Anxiety fills our hearts. We want to say no, but everyone is already looking in our direction, awaiting our prayer.
We feel like we don’t know how to pray. But there’s one simple truth we must recognize and recognize quickly: prayer is not a performance. Prayer is not a spectator sport! Prayer is a genuine conversation and interaction with God, with who we’re in a personal relationship with. You can talk to God like you would anyone else!
God desires that you would be genuine, open, and honest with Him at all times. It’s fruitless to attempt to hide anything from Him: He sees all! All this does is damage your relationship with Him. There’s no need whatsoever to feel as if you need to put on a certain face before Him. All He wants is for you to come to Him with an open heart. That’s how beautiful relationships are built, and He wants to be in a relationship with you!
Praying like it’s a performance for an audition pollutes the purpose of prayer. It is important that people pray sincerely and from the heart and not try to impress others with their prayers. People get anxious when ask to pray because they don’t believe they pray “right.” We grade prayers like a teacher grades papers. But that’s not what it’s about at all. We need to shift our perspective on how we view prayer.
Commit to looking at prayer as coming to your loving Father in heaven with your heart, arms, eyes, and ears open wide. When together with others, see it as a time to lift up your fellowship and honor God. It can be short and sweet. You don’t need fancy words. Just tell God you love Him, trust Him, and that you wish for Him to be by your side always. Nothing matters in prayer except for the beautiful interaction between you and the God that loves you with all His heart!
Reflection Questions
- What is the true purpose of prayer?
- Why do we feel such anxiety when asked to pray publicly? How can we calm those fears?
- Read Psalm 145:18. Why is prayer an essential discipline for every Christian?
- How can we change how we understand and live out our prayer life? How does God help us in this process?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer. Help me to remember that prayer is NOT a performance, but rather a blessed opportunity to spend quality time with You. I long to grow closer to you each and every day. Through Your Holy Spirit within me, guide me to a new vision of prayer, one where I can speak to You freely and without my own insecurities. I love You, Lord. In Your name I pray, Amen.
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