By Emilie Gruben
In February, I had the honor to attend a conference at my church. The theme of the conference and the sessions was “The Essentials,” which focused on the biblical components that define a Christian’s walk of life. The second of the sessions was focused on prayer. Why it was important, necessary, valuable, and irreplaceable. Prayer is our deepest communication with God, and to not be treated as anything less. Our lives should always reflect God, but often our actions can be separate from our thoughts. Whether our heart is discouraged when we outwardly smile and laugh. Whether we hold anger towards someone, and then treat them as if you never have, without repenting or dealing with the anger. These thoughts and emotions are not always public but should not be shoved away and dismissed, as if they are harmless.
Our communications are not of words spoken aloud and actions, but thoughts and unformed communications. God hears these, whether intended or not. All is present with God. For these reasons, we cannot hide from God. This is only the more grounds for our relationship and communication with our Heavenly Father. Nothing can be hidden, and when in Christ, we are now motivated to do right under God, in every facet. In this way, our prayer is affected and nourished. I hope to write them out in such a way that it offers as much thought and meaning as were conveyed to me.
Everyone is always in need of help. Deliverance. Courage. Wisdom. Healing. No matter how much wealth, status, position, or comfort an individual can hold, they will never be in control of their present or future. They will never truly have assurance of being alright, despite their circumstances, unless their faith in Christ is set. But what happens to those who do believe in Christ as their redeemer? Do Christians still need help, even though they have already received eternal help? Of course.
In Romans 15:30-33, we read: “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
The brethren to whom Paul writes to, he begs for prayer. These Christians are young in their own faith, and in need of encouragement and wisdom, themselves. Paul was known by grave sinners and saints, alike, known for his incredible redemption and previous atrocities. He was no stranger to encounters with God, nor the indescribable mercies which he received. Yet he pleaded for the prayers from the church; his brethren, his people. If Paul, converted on the road to Damascus, freed from the weight of murders, beloved follower of God, was in need of prayer, how could we not be? From David on the run, to the three in the furnace, or to Daniel in the den of lions- we have seen strong figures of faith, praying for their circumstances and wellbeing. To be saved is not to be without fear or uncertainty. After coming to Christ, we are not freed from our earthly fears and desires. But through Christ we have the means to overcome them.
Just as through Christ, we have the power of faith through trials, we have the power to reject worldly assurances. Saying ‘yes’ to trusting God with your fears and troubles, is to say ‘no’ to all other sources. Trusting the Father as the ultimate authority is one of the serious measures that the believer accepts. “Whatever happens, happens.” The Lord will work in the way that He wishes, and as His people, we are to obey and honor it. Yet, while God has already ordained what will happen, since the beginning of time, that does not mean that we are left without an opinion or the freedom to wish for otherwise. When a family member is sick, we pray for healing. This does not mean that we are going against what God wishes or has planned, but that our prayers are truly heard.
Jesus was in the garden before Judas’ betrayal, and the crucifixion. Scared and weary, He went to His father in prayer. “And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayer, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will but Yours, be done’”- Lk. 22:41-42.
Likewise, we read when the Son of God pleads with the Father to be spared of the responsibility that He must take upon Himself. He begs not to have to endure the absolute despair, but knows the answer. The Lord could not sin, nor could He be unaware of the future, yet He prayed. This is an example to us, that despite what “odds” we recognize, or the plans that God has made; He will hear us. There is no sin in honest, submitting prayer.
Prayer is honest, direct communication with God. Prayer is assurance through faith. Prayer is hopeful submission to God’s pre-ordained plan. Prayer is so many things. But is it ‘everything?’ A simple answer is as follows. Our prayers mean nothing to God if they do not mean everything to ourselves. Our entire soul and trust must be in our prayers, with no hesitation for our own gain. Prayers must be prayed as if you were placing your body in the hands of Christ, plainly. To not trust the Lord in prayer, is to not have real trust. We cannot pray for something if our heart is not truly in it. Not just our “heart” but our faith. We do not just say words in hopes that we will feel better, but to truly communicate to God, Himself. A reliance on His capability and none in ourselves.
The work of prayer is not our own. I cannot reiterate that enough. The amount of hours we pray, what we say, how we say it, or who we say it with will have no impact on the content of our prayer. Prayer changes things, but only God can change people or circumstances. All prayer must be through the Father, with the intent of obedience and submission, with hope and truth, present. Nothing should be not prayed about for the reason of being ‘too big’ or ‘too little,’ for God. Nor should anything be prayed for with the thought that He can’t handle it, or your prayers will not be heard, for some reason or another.
Prayer is the closest way that we can communicate with God, and grow closer to Him, in every season. We must recognize this. As we finish this focus on prayer, remember what is written in Philippians 4:5-6, which reads “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Do not have fear when approaching the Lord, nor keep your thoughts hidden, even if only from your own acknowledgement. Go before the Lord who sees and knows all. Submit to Him as the only authority, with true faith and repentance. Ask, and in His own way, it will be given.
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