We all seem to be very aware of religious differences but if you spend some time thinking about it there is actually some important similarities. First and foremost, believers from many of the hundreds of theistic religions proclaim that one or more deities exist as a living conscious person closely concerned about human beings. Secondly, there is the related belief that these deities can be approached through prayer. Fundamental devotion to prayer is found in essentially in all faith groups.
Prayer is primarily a conversation with God. It is the interaction of the human mind, heart, and soul with God, not only in contemplation or meditation, but also in direct address to Him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, formal or informal.
The very act of praying is an implicit recognition of the presence of God. To be sincere in our prayer, we must have faith that we can actually communicate with the infinite. Moreover, we must also believe that the infinite is interested in communicating back with us. Most of us approach prayer with the idea that our petitions can affect the very fabric of reality as we perceive it or that it can be the catalyst for change in our circumstances or ourselves. Finally, we hope that through prayer, we might get a direct experience of God.
Philip Zaleski, author of “A History of Prayer” writes, “the story of prayer is the story of the impossible; how we creatures of flesh and blood lay siege to heaven, to the Maker of all things, and await with confidence and hopeful skepticism, a response”.
When we approach God in prayer we are making three inherent assumptions about his very nature. We think of God as omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. We go to him because we believe he is all knowing and therefore his wisdom is invaluable. We presume he is ever present, not limited by the constraints of space or time. And ultimately we believe that He is in control of all things.
And even though God appears deep and profound and beyond our complete understanding, we have, at the same time, the paradoxical belief that he is very personal and brimming with concern for our every need.
The fundamental difference between various kinds of prayer is the fundamentally different images of God that lies behind them. We often ask of God what we believe he is capable of providing.
There are many reasons why people pray. Some of us want to spend time with God and enjoy his companionship; others may want to access the will of God to find out about the purpose of their own lives. Often people simply want to give thanks and demonstrate respect and devotion. Many of us approach God to ask for help, express concerns or seek forgiveness.
Regardless of why we go to God in prayer, what we find in that place is that our pride is abandoned and our hope is lifted. It is a place of admitting our need and claiming our dependence upon God.
John Calvin, the French Protestant theologian says this about prayer, “Believers do not pray with the view to inform God about things unknown to Him or of exciting Him to do his duty, or of urging Him as though he were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse themselves to seek Him, that they may exercise their faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from anxieties by pouring them into his bosom; in a word that they may declare that from Him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others all good things”.
Probably the best-known and celebrated prayer is the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus Christ gave this prayer to the world, as an example of what genuine Christian prayer should be like.
John Stott, the eminent British Anglican evangelist, explains the Lord’s Prayer in this way, “We start with an invitation into the Father’s presence and then the prayer makes three petitions about God and his glory followed by three petitions about ourselves. The order is significant. God our heavenly father, His name hallowed, his kingdom extended, his will done. Our needs supplied, our sins forgiven and our temptations overcome…what a prayer and all in 57 words.”
The final yet often forgotten piece of prayer is in the listening and waiting for God’s response. For the power of prayer is not necessarily in our praying but in the release God gives with his perfect answer. The perfect answer is not always what we expected but often, upon reflection. a much more prudent outcome.
As Matthew 7:7 advices us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”.
This biblical passage is a good reminder that when you get on your knees to do business with God, He will be there to meet you where you are.
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