Prayer…It’s a simple thing - But is it?

By Lana Marlar

Praying is a critical concern for the believer in Christ.  Whether for family, friends, acquaintances, requests shared from passers-by or the church and the world, our Lord is anything but silent in His teaching regarding prayer.  In the gospel of Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus taught, “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 men … but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.”

When someone asks us to pray for them or for a certain situation, I believe I am correct to say that we always respond in the affirmative. But how can we pray effectively as sinners - persons of self-interest and compromised faith?  Holy scripture encourages us not to be dissuaded from our commitments to pray. We read in Luke 18:1-8 NIV,

Jesus told his disciples a parable about an unjust judge and a widow who persistently came to him for justice.  In her refusal to be denied justice, the widow’s petitions were granted.  Jesus offered this parable as an example to show the disciples that they should always pray and not give up.  The Lord said, “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off?  I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

As faithful followers of God’s Will in this world, we must first recognize that we are imperfect vessels to wield this powerful tool of the Holy Spirit.  Likewise, we must endeavor to trust that His Spirit will lead and enable us to offer prayerful solicitations as He wills and in His time, as a means of transformation for others’ needs as well as our own.  Every provision we receive is born from above… In lifting our hands to receive, the prayer work of faith is already done.

It’s a simple thing.

Thanks be to God