Before Amen

1. Prayer is a simple conversation with a loving Father

Prayer is conversation with God while driving to work or awaiting an appointment or before interacting with a client.

Prayer is accessible to all. It's not reserved for the pious or eloquent, but is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and His child. Jesus taught us to approach God as "Abba" - an intimate, warm term for father. This shift in perspective removes the pressure to use fancy words or ritualistic formulas. Instead, we can come to God just as we are, with our real thoughts and feelings.

God desires relationship, not performance. He's not impressed by public displays of piety or long-winded prayers. In fact, Jesus criticized religious leaders who made a show of their prayers. Instead, He encouraged His followers to pray in secret, assuring them that God sees what is done in private. This intimate, personal approach to prayer fosters a deeper connection with God.

Key elements of simple prayer:

• Honesty and vulnerability
• Childlike trust
• Regular, informal communication
• Focus on relationship, not ritual

2. God's goodness is the foundation of effective prayer

God's goodness is a major headline in the Bible.

Trust in God's character. Believing in God's inherent goodness is crucial for a vibrant prayer life. When we truly grasp that God is good - not just occasionally, but always and in all circumstances - it transforms how we approach Him. We can come with confidence, knowing that He has our best interests at heart, even when we don't understand His methods.

Combat small thoughts about God. Many struggle with prayer because they have a limited view of who God is. The Bible paints a picture of a God who is infinitely powerful, yet intimately concerned with the details of our lives. He sustains the universe, yet counts the hairs on our heads. Meditating on God's vastness and goodness can revolutionize our prayer life.

Ways to cultivate awareness of God's goodness:

• Study biblical descriptions of God's character
• Keep a gratitude journal
• Reflect on past instances of God's faithfulness
• Share testimonies of God's goodness with others

3. Bring all your problems to Jesus, no matter how big or small

An unprayed-for problem is an embedded thorn.

Jesus invites our concerns. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus welcoming people with all kinds of needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual. He never turned away someone who came to Him for help. This same invitation extends to us today. No problem is too insignificant or too overwhelming for Jesus.

Prayer transfers burdens. When we bring our concerns to Jesus, we're not just venting or wishfully thinking. We're actively transferring our burdens to the One who has the power to carry them. This doesn't mean all our problems instantly disappear, but it does mean we don't have to face them alone. Prayer aligns our perspective with God's and opens us up to His peace and guidance.

Practical steps for bringing problems to Jesus:

• Start with simple, honest prayers
• Use the "Pocket Prayer" format as a guide
• Practice immediacy - pray as soon as a concern arises
• Keep a prayer journal to track requests and answers

4. God heals in His time and way, often using our suffering

He will heal you—instantly or gradually or ultimately.

God's healing is certain, but its timing varies. While God is certainly capable of instant healing, He often chooses to work gradually or to provide ultimate healing in heaven. This doesn't diminish His power or goodness but reflects His perfect wisdom and purposes that we can't always understand.

Suffering can be purposeful. While we should always pray for healing, we must also recognize that God sometimes uses suffering to refine us, draw us closer to Him, or impact others. The apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh" is a prime example of how God can use persistent affliction for greater purposes. Our suffering, when faced with faith, can become a powerful testimony.

Perspectives on healing and suffering:

• Pray boldly for healing, but trust God's timing
• Look for ways God might be using your struggle
• Minister to others from your place of pain
• Focus on the promise of ultimate healing in eternity

5. Confess sins specifically and trust in God's forgiveness

Confession is not a punishment for sin; it is an isolation of sin so it can be exposed and extracted.

Be concrete in confession. Vague admissions of wrongdoing don't lead to true repentance or healing. Instead, we should be specific with God about our sins, naming them clearly. This process helps us confront the reality of our actions and opens the door for God's transformative work in our lives.

Embrace God's forgiveness. Many Christians live under the weight of guilt, unable to accept the full forgiveness God offers. But the Bible is clear that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us completely. We don't earn this forgiveness; it's a gift made possible by Jesus' sacrifice. Living in light of this truth frees us to move forward in joy and gratitude.

Steps for effective confession:

• Be specific about sins in prayer
• Meditate on scriptures about God's forgiveness
• Practice "letting go" of confessed sins
• Replace guilt with gratitude for God's grace

6. Intercede boldly for others, trusting in God's power

You are never more like Jesus than when you pray for others.

Intercessory prayer is powerful. When we pray for others, we're participating in God's work in their lives. The Bible gives numerous examples of people who changed situations through bold, persistent prayer on behalf of others. We have the privilege of bringing the needs of our friends, family, and even strangers before the throne of God.

Persistence matters in prayer. Jesus taught about the importance of persistent prayer through parables like the persistent widow and the friend at midnight. These stories encourage us not to give up in prayer, even when we don't see immediate results. Our persistent prayers demonstrate faith in God's ability and willingness to act.

Principles for effective intercession:

• Pray specifically for others' needs
• Be persistent in prayer
• Trust in God's timing and methods
• Look for ways to be the answer to your own prayers

7. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in all circumstances

Gratitude is a dialysis of sorts. It flushes the self-pity out of our systems.

Thankfulness is transformative. Cultivating a grateful heart isn't just a nice idea; it's a biblical command that can radically change our perspective. When we choose to focus on what we have rather than what we lack, it shifts our entire outlook on life. Gratitude combats entitlement, discontentment, and self-pity.

Practice intentional gratitude. Like any habit, thankfulness requires intentional cultivation. We can train ourselves to look for reasons to be grateful, even in difficult circumstances. This doesn't mean denying pain or hardship, but rather choosing to acknowledge the good alongside the bad.

Ways to cultivate gratitude:

• Keep a daily gratitude journal
• Practice the "alphabet of thanks" exercise
• Express appreciation to others regularly
• Look for blessings in unexpected places

8. Pray in Jesus' name, recognizing His supreme authority

Jesus has unimpeachable authority.

Understand Jesus' authority. When we pray "in Jesus' name," we're not just using a formulaic closing. We're invoking the authority of the One who has been given all power in heaven and on earth. This understanding should give us tremendous confidence in prayer, knowing that we're approaching God through the perfect mediator.

Align prayers with Jesus' will. Praying in Jesus' name means more than just tacking His name onto our wishlist. It means aligning our prayers with His character and purposes. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, our prayers should increasingly reflect His heart and priorities for the world.

Implications of praying in Jesus' name:

• Confidence in approaching God
• Submission to God's will
• Power against spiritual forces
• Motivation to know Jesus more deeply

Last updated: October 1, 2024