Learning to Pray

He was what a teenager would say was an old man. Small in stature, unassuming. Quiet. But when Charlie Sites prayed, he was a giant! As a teenager I attended St Johns Evangelical United Brethren (now United Methodist) Church. It is a small church out in the country near my home. On Wednesday evenings people gathered for prayer meeting. And we prayed! It was customary for those who could to kneel during the prayer time. And most often Brother Sites would pray. He often used the words, “Gracious Father” as he addressed our God. And he prayed about the needs of the people of this church. And it gave me a glimpse into this faithful man who obviously knew his heavenly Father intimately and also gave me a lesson in the power of prayer. Brother Sites prayed so naturally it made me think that I could actually pray out loud in prayer meeting. So one evening when Harold and Hazel Wise took me home from prayer meeting, I said to Harold, who always led the prayer meetings, that I would pray if he called on me. It was a gutsy move but I felt led that I should and could do this! And the next Wednesday, Harold called on me and I prayed. Remember, it was Hazel Wise (you can read my blog about her here) that taught all of us teen girls how to pray sentence prayers. This was just another step in my Christian walk, a step of obedience.

I went to Bible College for two years and prayer was a big part of my life there. We learned to pray specific prayers for specific needs and to exercise faith. Every March a week of classes were canceled to allow us to pray for requests that were sent in to the college. Eighteen years as a pastor's wife was also a good training ground for learning to pray.

So with all this “training”, why is it still a battle to have a consistent prayer life? I believe it is the enemy of our souls, Satan, who tries to keep us from praying. Someone has wisely said, "Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” We can even be busy doing good things for God but this doesn't preclude a prayer life. In fact, anything we do for God is always done better with God's help. John 15:7, If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

It amazes me how many adults are not comfortable praying out loud in public. I hope that doesn't sound like a judgmental statement. I truly don't mean it to be. But I would like to give some encouragement that it isn't so difficult to pray in public. The Lord desires our hearts, not perfect words.

Here are some things I have found that help me:

In your private time, begin praying out loud. It will help you to hear your own voice and it will also bring emotion to the surface. Begin by praising God for all the blessings He has given you. Name them. One by one! Praise Him for Who He is. Tell Him the innermost secrets in your heart. Ask Him for His guidance. When necessary, ask for forgiveness. God also knows our thoughts. So you can also pray silently. It isn't always conducive to pray out loud, depending on where you may be. I heard someone say that the devil doesn't know our thoughts, but he can hear us pray. He is aware of the power of prayer and the power in the blood, and the power of praise. I think it is vital that we give voice to our praise to let the enemy of our soul know whose side we are on!

When you hear or read a prayer request, pray right away. Don't wait or you may forget. That doesn't mean you won't pray for that request again, but at least you have brought it to the Lord and it may be a timely need.

When you are alone, driving down the road, etc. ask the Lord, “Who should I be praying for today?” And He will bring to your mind some of those requests/people that need prayer. You can pray anytime, anywhere. It doesn't have to be your regular devotional time.

Write some of your prayers. Journal. You will be amazed how in tune with His Spirit you will get as you write to Jesus. Write just like you talk. And know that He cares and understands and will give you the longings of your heart. James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. There have been a few times as I was writing a prayer that God revealed my heart and other times when I realized the answer!

Pray God's Word. I recommend a book by Beth Moore, Praying God's Word Day By Day. This book is about “taking prayer and The Word and igniting them with faith in what God says He can do.” - Beth Moore.

Dear Jesus, I pray that those who read these words will be encouraged to begin or restart their personal conversations with You. Help them to realize they are talking to their Friend, Jesus and to Abba Father. May they feel your Presence near and may they experience a sweet communion as they pour out their hearts to You, their loving Savior. Amen

The secret of all failure is our failure in secret prayer.