Six GROWTH practices: Go, Read, Obey, Witness, Trust, Humble Yourself
Go to God in Prayer and Worship
Believers tend to admire those who spend a long time in prayer. They must be especially devout. The rest of us usually feel guilty in comparison.
Yet highly admired Christian leaders taught otherwise. Augustine of Hippo (5th century) preferred “very brief, quickly dispatched prayers.” Thomas Aquinas (13th century) held that frequency, not length, is the important issue in prayer. Frequent short prayers are of more worth than a few lengthy prayers.
Martin Luther (16th century) recommended prayers be numerous but short in duration. The fewer the words the better the prayer. Few words and much meaning is Christian. Many words and little meaning is pagan. Jacob Boehme (17th century) advised that “many words are not needed, but only a believing, repentant soul.
Dwight Moody (19th century) carried this view over to public prayer. “A man who prays much in private will make short prayers in public.” He regarded lengthy public prayers as something akin to religious pretension.
Donald Bloesch (20th century) concluded that what characterized the great saints was not so much involvement in one single protracted or endless repetition of prayer formulas but rather the practice of constantly waiting on the Lord, of praying inwardly even when outwardly occupied in daily tasks.
Many years ago I did a major research project on the prayer practices of a randomized sample that brought 500 responses from Lutherans. While one-quarter of them read from a book of prayers, almost all (85%) talked to God in their own words. Call this conversational prayer. One respondent explained that while he does have time set aside for prayer, he enjoys spontaneity. “I try to talk with God when the thought or feeling strikes me. Some days I pray quite a bit, others not such much. I have some special times with God but usually, prayer and contemplation come at random.”
What do these ordinary believers pray about? The most frequent themes (four out of five) are thanking God for his blessings, asking for forgiveness, and asking for guidance. Surprisingly, the least frequent theme was asking God for material things. For this sample, less than a third usually asked for healing of physical ailments. One woman explained that her husband was an invalid and caring for him was a burden. She used to ask God to change him. Then she learned to pray that God would change her. They have gotten along much better since.
What are the benefits of personal prayer? In short, peace and power. About half reported a deep sense of peace and a strong presence of God in their prayers. One young woman reported that “I am often moved to tears during prayer, either with joy or fear, I guess.” A young mother related that “Sometimes I am able to set aside time to play the piano and sing my prayers to God. I think I feel closest to God in prayer when it is through a song.” A recovering alcoholic wrote, “If I stop just moments to pray and make amends, I can enjoy a ‘peace of mind that is mind boggling.”
Receiving answers to prayer is a form of experiencing power. A young mother’s personal experience was that prayers can make a difference, not just in her life but also in the life of other brothers and sisters. A woman reported, “I really believe in the power of prayer. I have had the experience of being freed instantly from unbearable pain—after whispering, ”Jesus, help me!” After major surgery for cancer, a woman reported, “I know the only reason the Lord spared my life was through the prayers of my family, relatives, friends, and my pastor.”
The biggest surprise in the data was that fully half of these ordinary believers declared that prayer is the most satisfying experience in their life!! Who would have guessed? Another surprise is that four out of five wanted to improve their prayer life. In business, this felt need is basic marketing information. It should be valuable information for pastors and church leaders. Address the real needs of those who gather. They want a closer personal relationship with God. Don’t offer just theory and duty. Help them learn personal conversational prayer.
What is the path to a better prayer life? For many, better is a greater frequency of long prayer out of a vague sense of duty. But a preferred starting point is experiencing the benefits of personal prayer, like peace and power. This conversational prayer relationship can result in the most satisfying experience in life.
Prayer is a two-way relationship. Start with what we do. But realize that real prayer happens when the Holy Spirit takes over and directs and guides your thoughts. So, say your formal prayers. Something good may come out of it.
I used to envy those who I knew got up early every morning and spent an hour or more in prayer. Why couldn’t I do that? But eventually I realized that my random times throughout the day in conversation with the Lord was no different. He just wants us to be in constant communication with him. And the more I am in prayer, the more I notice the subtle promptings from the Holy Spirit. For me personally, prayers almost always leads to peace, strength, and reassurance that I am not doing life on my own.
Wonderful statement. True morning people are only about 10% of the population. Find what works for you. Writing these blogs is a spiritual experience for me.
I enjoy your posts. Direct and to the point.
Thanks. I try hard to make them direct and to the point while keeping the reader engaged.
Your first section headline is a bit odd. What does it mean?
I am not sure what headline you are referring to. “Go to God in Prayer and Worship” is one of the six practices for GROWTH. The next five blogs will address each of the remaining practices: Read God’s Word for You, Obey the Challenge etc. They were explained two blogs ago. Thanks for alerting me to the problem.
While your research is interesting and no prayer is not heard or answered by our God, I am with Oswald Chambers who believed “intercessory prayer” is the most important thing we can do after expressing our gratitude for blessings and answered prayers.
Good. I am glad you found what works for you.
I am a 77 year old, almost 50 years married, nearly ordained a Catholic priest, now a retired Lutheran pastor (ELCA) who had struggled with prayer my entire life until about 2 years ago. Through a church renewal and revitalization program, I came into contact with contemplative prayer and with the writings of Thomas Keating, the works and leadership of Richard Rohr. Meditation each day helps me become increasingly and more deeply aware of God’s presence in and love of all creation. The practice has been grace for me. I also follow Richard Rohr’s daily meditations through his Center for Action and Contemplation. The biggest challenge is to find periods of quiet in my day, usually in the morning, when I can engage in contemplative prayer.
Good. Never too old to learn. I am 80 and still discovering spiritual things.
I have always felt shorter prayers were to be preferred, and not too many! I don’t like asking congregants to offer prayer requests after the sermon! Submit them before the service!
In my little church plant, I discovered that the prayer time after the sermon was highly appreciated and got longer and longer so that I had to figure out how to put a limit.
Thanks for this Pastor David!
I have long found comfort in reading the Psalms. For me, I picture these words as if Christ Himself was conversing with His Heavenly Father as he walked along the road, listened to others or sat in meditative contemplation. Yes, although the writers of Psalms were men with sinful, yet repentant hearts and Jesus was without sin, yet he ‘knew’ sin, was ‘acquainted with grief’ and ‘became sin for us.’ So, like the psalmists, we exalt God for His majesty, extol His great love, but we also plead with Him for mercy, pardon and relief as we express what John the Baptist said the Spirit is looking for and Himself is producing- meat for repentance. I’m also interested to hear how Augustine’s, Acquinas’ and Luther’s views were similar.
Augustine wrote his own personal Confessions that were his application. Acquinas was and remained an academic. Luther was a very popular preacher because he made applications of the great issues of that day, how to be saved, and having a personal relationship with God.
Why do we make prayer so complicated? What to pray, when to pray, how long to pray, who to pray for etc.etc. etc.- when I look at prayer from these perspectives, prayer becomes burdensome.
Prayer to me is just talking with the Lord, letting Him know what is on my mind and heart. And that varies from day to day.
I once had a woman in my bible study say she wanted to learn to pray like me. I hope not! Prayer should be personal and unique as the indiviual.
The pandemic has made prayer more important to me. I find it is the only thing that has brought me peace in the midst of all this chaos. Knowing God is in control and hears my cries brings sweet comfort to me.
Well said. You do and model conversational prayer. Lillian Christianson wrote a book on conversational prayer and how to teach it. Long ago I did some workshops on that. I would like to think you were in one of those sessions. One main lesson is when you are in group prayer, don’t go around the circle one after the other. Break-in with response to someone else’s prayer to affirm or expand. Spiritual life in general is not taught so much as caught. So it is with heartfelt prayer.
I like to follow the concept of ACTS. You can still keep it short, but it gives purpose
I am glad that works for you. Stick with it.