Do you think of yourself as a spiritual person?  Most people do not.  They honestly feel spiritually disqualified by their lack of prayer.  Some people try to suppress these feelings of spiritual lack by rationalizing.  They say, "I don't need to spend specific time praying, I pray along the way - throughout my day."  This may be true, and Scripture does teach us to "pray continually." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  However, sometimes those who say they are praying all the time, when most honest, would confess that they don't really feel they know well how to pray - and don't actually pray very often.  The truth is many of us feel somewhat guilty about our prayer lives, that we should be doing more and/or doing better in prayer.

Prayer, at its most rudimentary level, is a matter of being with and dialoguing with God.  It is the language of relationship.  It is also a declaration of submission.  Prayer acknowledges that God is God, and that we are not - that we need Him and want to submit to Him.

It is important to realize that prayer can take a number of forms.  Any relationship involves different kinds of expression, and there are a variety of kinds of prayer that can be used in our relationship with God. There are Prayers of thanks, agreement, request, intercession, praise and worship, submission, confession, declaration and prayers of faith, and many more.  Sometimes prayer is a matter of stillness and silence - simply being with God, not asking for or saying anything.  "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)  It can be a matter of stillness and knowing.

It is important that we learn, become familiar with and use many kinds of prayer.  As learning any skill requires work, learning to pray involves intentionality and many, many efforts.  The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18)  He goes on to encourage them to be alert and to keep praying for others. 

This may be a good time for you to expand your prayer repertoire.   You don't need to feel guilt, or be left in the dark.  Take time to practice some of the forms listed above.  Develop your vocabulary of prayer.  Spend time praying intentionally for others.  Spend time praying alone and with others.  Allow God to lead you and inspire you as you express your heart for others.  He will direct you in new ways - and into new ways to express yourself - and sometimes to just "be" in prayer.

Growing in Prayer with you,

Pastor Tom  

tgriffith@rolcboston.org 

www.rolcboston.org