5/3/12- What is Prayer?

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7)


Today is the National Day of Prayer for America. 

(Praying Hands Albrecht Durer- 15th century)

WSC Q. 98- What is Prayer?
A: Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things acceptable to his will , in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.

If we are trying to decide what is prayer and what is just talking, the catechism gives us five checks.
1) It is our speaking to God.  It is not our speaking to ourselves.  It is our desires being poured out before Him.  Christian prayer is not just meditation, or rote repetition- but it is directed conversation from our heart to God's heart.
2) It is for things acceptable to God's will.  In the end, all prayer is subject to God's will, and it is not a magic lamp in which we control God.  But as Jesus prayed, "Not my will but thine be done.'
3) It is in the name of Christ.  A too common way of ending prayer today is "In your name we pray amen."  This is an effort to not offend someone by mentioning Jesus' name.  But leaving Jesus out of it takes the power of prayer away.  We pray for his sake, honor, glory and pleasure.  But we also pray to the Father because we are connected to the Son.  Our ability to have our prayers answered is not based on our status as good people, but on the better merits of Christ through whom we pray.
4) With confession of sins.  Three times scripture says, "If I cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have heard me."  We do not pray proudly or demandingly, but humbly depending on God's grace.
5) With gratitude. Ten lepers were healed but only one came back to say thanks.  Often people would give thanks to God before the event even happened,  because we believe and trust God's power and willingness to help (eg. Psalm 50:14,15).

Prayer is one of the most powerful things a Christian has.  It is one of the most uniting things as well.  I may pray with a catholic who will not have communion with me.  I may pray with someone who does not like me.  But prayer brings us together.  Prayer puts God's power into our lives.  It focuses His eye and attention on our need.  No wonder some unbelievers wanted it out of schools.  But we must make sure that our children are taught to pray.

Prayer: On this National Day of Prayer- we pray for your blessing on our nation, not because we deserve it, but because of your great name that has rested on us for many years.  May we come to you, and may you come to us.