Making Prayer Less Complicated

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (New American Standard Bible)

Prayer is the greatest privilege and tool of any Christian and yet so often the least used and most misunderstood. As in every other discipline of the Christian life, it is learned over a life time. When I accepted Christ at the age of fourteen, God did not automatically infuse within me all the ins and outs of prayer. He taught me things over many years. At times, I feel I am still at the elementary level, but recently the lessons have been profound.

God’s Word is becoming my textbook…particularly the book of Psalms. I am learning aspects of prayer through David’s prayers and I am the richer for it! Recently I have learned through him to be transparent and specific with God. Prayer is not meant to be a complicated system of saying just the right thing by following a specified formula. David did not pray like that and neither did Jesus. The requests were always to the point and even simplistic. When prayer becomes complicated and overwhelming something is amiss. At that point we tend to pray less and feel others are doing a better job of it than we are. While we are told to come to God as little children, prayer too often can seem like college level material.

Please know, I admire prayer warriors. I have listened in awe at those who have learned to pray in powerful ways. The first time I heard a person pray in a conversational way with God I was profoundly moved. But I still have much to learn and I am rejoicing at the pace God has set for me. His desire is for me to learn from Him and then put into practice what I learn.

For any who have become discouraged or bored with the idea of prayer, start with what you know and ask God to teach you more about the power, privilege, and practicality of talking to Him. The Bible is full of Old and New Testament examples from which we can learn. Many good books are available on the topic of prayer. Ask God to cross your path with people who are further along in that area and learn from them just by listening. As in any other area of the Christian life, ask God to awaken in you the desire and thrill of prayer. Your prayers may be simple but His answers will be profound!

Father, increase my ability and desire to talk to You. May my times of prayer come alive as I speak, listen, and learn. Help me to speak into Your open ears more often. Amen.

Come Just As You Are - Crystal Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MqNV5NvtUQ&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.