Do you ever feel yourself just hurting and you don’t know why? Sometimes there is such a sense of sadness or grief in my heart, that I don’t know how or what to pray. It just hurts. It may be a result of a news story; the tragedy of the Bahamas, the plight of refugees, or something very close to my own life; an illness or loss. Either way, I feel helpless, overwhelmed, and without words for prayer.
I know prayer is essential and is the lifeline of communication between God and me. There are books and sermons on effective prayer. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Others have suggested various tools to enhance our prayer life, such as ACTS, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. I start out with adoration but am surprised by how quickly I move to supplication. I know God understands this about me.
David, a man after God’s own heart, often did this as well. He began praising God but soon was begging God to help him in some way. Fortunately, God is not judging our prayers, He is looking at the intent of our hearts. In Psalm 51:17, David declared “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, oh God, You will not despise.”
Pray Without Ceasing
Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing, pray about everything, pray with thanksgiving, and be faithful in prayer. There is power in prayer. There is a purpose in prayer. It transforms our minds, guards our hearts, and reveals God’s purpose in our life. It is an act of worship and an act of obedience. As believers, prayer is our responsibility.
Ultimately, I believe prayer is one of the greatest privileges God has given us. The creator of the universe allows us, in ways we cannot understand, to work with Him on behalf of others and ourselves through prayer. This truth is worthy of praise and deep reflection. Through prayer, God allows us to participate in His purposes and in His divine nature: to tap into the power, the glory, the mind, the love, the peace, and the wisdom of God. I don’t understand how this works, but I know it to be true.
When we communicate with friends, children, or our spouse, we often ponder just the right word or phrase before we speak or write in order to be heard and understood. But with God, whether we pray audibly or silently, our words don’t have to be perfect because He knows the intent of our hearts.
He hears us. He understands us. We can even turn over our words and prayers to the Holy Spirit, who will intercede for us with groaning too deep for words (Romans 8:26). This reality is a great comfort to me. I have the privilege of pouring out my heart to the creator of the universe. He hears me. He understands me and accepts me and my prayers just as I am, with no pretenses.
Simple Prayers and Deep Reflection
Through prayer comes the peace that passes all understanding, that quiet assurance that all is or will be well with my soul. We don’t have to be extraordinary to pray; young, old, healthy, infirmed, saint, or sinner. Prayer is available to you and to me anytime and anywhere. Jesus is always available. Psalm 121:3 says, “…He never sleeps or slumbers.”
We may not get the “yes” we want or even an alternative that seems acceptable. His answer may be “no” or “not now.” However, when we say yes to the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, the eternal answer is always “YES.” God will wipe every tear from our eyes, there will be no more crying, mourning, or pain.
At the end of the day, some of the simplest and purest prayers are “Not my will, but Your will be done.” “I believe, help me in my unbelief.” Sometimes our prayer is just “Help me.”
Whether you are in a time of adoration or supplication, God hears your prayers. He receives your prayers with joy and acceptance. He is always ready to comfort you. Where you are, He is. Rest in this assurance and be blessed!
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
Scripture for Meditation
To support your further reading on prayer, here are some verses for meditation. These passages compliment my new post, Privilege of Prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16 (NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
2 Peter 1:2-4 (NASB)
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in an everlasting way.
Romans 8:26 (NASB)
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Matthew 26:39 (NASB)
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Music for Reflection
As you consider your own prayer time, here are some music selections to encourage your reflection.
