A group of us met recently to look at the issue of prayer.
A simple question was asked as to what was the stereotypical perspective on prayer. In the group was a range of ages from the very young to the not so very young and the responses that came back were to be expected. Close your eyes, hands together, heads bowed – that kind of thing.
From there my friend got us to do a variety of activities exploring prayer as it can be experienced in so many different ways, from contemplative prayer, to seeing reasons to be grateful as the springboard of prayer. It was a brilliant experience for me and to see others even engaging in food and prayer as well was delightful.
With all that, it got me thinking about why prayer is such an essential part of the Christian life. It also got me thinking of its connection with the holiness God looks for in those who follow Jesus. There is little doubt in my mind that prayer is essential. What does it do though in terms of helping as a holy habit?
Praise definitely helps here – it reminds me of who I am communicating with and it reassures me that there is no better place to go to communicate – to open myself and to be authentic than in prayer. The invitation to cast my cares on Him because He cares for me is one that I have benefited from time and time again.
There is more to it than that. I get it that in this age of therapy and self-esteem it’s good to have a method by which the self can be cleansed and that kind of thing. Yet prayer is a two way communication where it is just as much about finding the heart of God and communicating with Him on His terms and conditions as unburdening the self. Prayer connects again with the Creator, the Father Himself who delights in communicating with His children. I get to meditate on His plans, His desires, His mission for the world and again consider life from a heavenly perspective. It’s very easy to get hung up on personal relationships, finances and job concerns as though that’s all there is to life. Being invited to follow Jesus is an invitation to follow Him in His mission to the world whether from the family and work to further afield wherever He leads.
Prayer aligns things so that even in my greatest struggles as I pour them out to Jesus, there is the acknowledgement of the grace to live as He wants me to live. A life that is not about sticking to conventional methods of expression to pander to others. A life that is about seeing how Jesus was not corrupted by the world but remained pure and was eager to transmit those qualities to others should motivate those who love Him to do the same. That takes place through the privilege of prayer, especially as it becomes more habitual, as we relate with God and see the conversation can change us to be more like Him.
I recommend prayer as a holy habit for you.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 