Prayer Myth Busters
Only once does the Bible mention the disciples clearly asked Jesus to teach them something. They didn’t ask Him to teach them how to calm the stormy sea, heal the blind, or even raise the dead. (Personally, I’d really like to be able to feed five thousand with only two fish and five loaves of bread. The parties I could have!)
Instead, they asked him to teach them how to pray.
“Lord, teach us to pray…”
Luke 11:1 (ESV)
It’s comforting to realize prayer was intimidating even to those early disciples who walked with Jesus Himself. But prayer doesn’t have to be intimidating! Here are some common myths about prayer…and the truth that will transform your prayer life.
“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense.” – Oswald Chambers
Prayer is both an offense and a defense. Why?
Prayer invites us to communicate with the God of the universe about not only what is turning our lives upside down, but also our thankfulness for how He’s already coming through for us though we may not see it yet.
Prayer allows us to intercede for others, repent of sin the moment we realize we’ve done wrong, and praise God for that beautiful sunset.
Prayer is the best way to begin and end every day, difficult or not, because prayer centers our focus and trust on Him.
This is perhaps the most dangerous myth, because God wants to talk to us, too.
He communicates to us in a variety of ways:
- through His Word
- by bringing to mind a seemingly “random” Bible verse or the lyrics of a song
- through the message on Sunday or at Missional Community
- in the advice of your DNA partner or other believing friends
- when we allow silence into our prayer time, by putting the phone on Do Not Disturb and just listening…
In our silence or contemplation of God’s character, His still small voice may speak to our hearts.
Have you ever heard someone mention their “prayer list”? Maybe you’ve made one yourself and quickly realized how long a list of concerns you have!
Challenge yourself to also make a list of things you’re thankful for and answered prayers!
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
Eloquence not required. In fact, it’s discouraged!
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans,
for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matthew 6:7 (NIV)
Newsflash: God is not our genie, nor is he a magic eight ball.
Sometimes he answers our prayers with a “Yes” or a “No,” but sometimes his answer is “not yet.”
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
Psalm 40:1(ESV)
Learning patience is not easy, but we can grow in the waiting times, if we’re willing. In those times, we should pray that God would be glorified through it all.
Just remember that even the early disciples had to ask Jesus how to pray! And they were talking to Christ every day!