Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 12: Prayer”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
What is prayer?
Does God hear my prayers?
Is there a wrong way to pray?
Does prayer really do anything?
What am I supposed to pray for?
These and other questions arise when we think about and discuss the gift of prayer. This week’s devotions will tackle these questions (and maybe another one or two).
What is prayer?
At its simple definition, prayer is talking to God in words and thoughts. Perhaps this is best reflected in Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Prayer is worship. Last week we talked about worship being our response to who God is and what he has done for us. Prayer is an expression of faith directed to the God who loves us and desires to hear from us.
Prayer is a privilege for those that are the children of God. Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Prayer is based in a relationship. Prayer is always directed to the being we think or have a relationship with. I don’t pray to someone or something a) I don’t have a relationship with and b) don’t think will listen or respond.
Think of an analogy of a parent. You can have your child in a playgroup with many other kids. They are talking, yelling, and even some crying for mom or dad. Not until your child cries out, “MOM!” do your ears perk up and you begin to listen to what your child desires or needs. So it is with prayer. Prayer is an expression of faith and trust of a child of God who knows and trusts God to answer. Sure, people around the world people are praying to all different entities…Buddha, Allah, and many other gods, but these are prayers the true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit does not listen to (We’ll unpack that more tomorrow).
So, as a child of God, God invites you as a dear child to talk to him as your dear Father. Martin Luther put it this way in his explanation to the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven.
What does this mean? With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.
So, enjoy the blessing of prayer. Enjoy the relationship God has established with you and trust his promise:
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Apply: When something is on your mind today…let God know. Call out to him, ask, seek, knock!
Prayer: (Your turn – simply express to God what is on your heart this morning.)