Friday 15 October 2010

iPray Fridays: SIMplicity

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And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

Matthew 6: 5-13 (The Message)

"Its not how long u pray, its how strong you pray! You can pray for 5 hours but if there's no faith behind your prayer, there's no power."

@GuvnaB from Twitter


I really miss blogging, both reading and writing. I used to take the fact that I could blog for granted. Now its one of the things I'm grateful about. Lord, thank you that Zoe can blog...lol! I'm in a season where I have a lot of questions, maybe its the scientist in me or just a phase. There is a way in which one is raised not to ask questions, just to accept what one is given as the status quo. That's fine but for those who have questions, I am learning that who you ask is just as important as what you ask!

Reading my Bible this morning and this passage just jumped up at me. Sometimes when people ask me why I love to pray, I respond with 'I'm not so sure I love to pray, I'm learning'. I will be honest and confess that I have periods of time where I feel so distant from God. I don't read or study my Bible and I don't 'pray'. Yes 'pray' because I lay on my bed one morning and I heard a familiar voice whisper 'so if it isn't formal, does it mean it isn't conversation' those were not the exact words but something to that effect. 'Each time you want to speak to your dad or friends, do you wear something special or put some makeup on. In an emergency, do you consider your looks or the fact that you may not have been getting along or do you just reach out to the one who can help you sort your situation out! Do you only speak to them in public when others are around and ignore them in private?'

What is prayer? We say it is communication with God. Communication involves at least 2 parties and consists of speaking, listening and understanding. It is a 2 way thing. We speak to God and He speaks to us too. So many times I get caught up in a legalistic and religious view of things. When I pray sometimes people laugh and I do admit my prayers may be a bit funny but that's because I am funny and I believe God loves me like that. I need to search the Scriptures but I believe that most of the prayers Jesus made were in private and his public prayers were short and direct. Hmm, I believe a big barrier to effective prayer is this notion that it's like a recipe where you need to mix this and that, keep at this temperature for this long before you can get the right result. I want to challenge that and say we should come to God on the basis of relationship. Sometimes I talk for hours to a friend, sometimes a few minutes. I do not love them more when I speak longer or less when I speak shorter. The most important thing is that I communicate with them, pass the message across, honestly and openly. Also come believing that He hears and He has the power to change situations.

Its funny that I try to hide things from God, the One who sees all and knows all. Anyway today's iPray is about simplicity..not length, just honesty and openness between you and your daddy. If Jesus was sitting right next to you on a bench in a park and you had your head on his shoulder what would you tell him....even if you had to whisper it? Say it today. If you want to share it here, feel free to leave it as a comment.

Let's pray together.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

HI God,
I miss you. I haven't had that deep one-on-one conversation with you in a while - I miss that. I want to encounter with you again - as soon as possible. Infact, right now.
Love,
Your Child.

Anonymous said...

Daddy

I miss the relationship we used to have. Its newness and freshness. I hear you calling my name and I admit that sometimes I do walk away when I hear it. Zoe talks about writing letters to home. I need to find my way back to you. I'm so sorry. Please help me, I have nowhere else to go. You alone have the keys to life, the way life is supposed to be. I love you.

Zoe Believer said...

Dear Lord,

I need your help every step of the way. The next few days and months are crucial. This project is way bigger than me and I know that like Peter I have been looking at the waves, looking at the magnitude of the storm around me. I always forget that You walk on what others sink in, you sleep during what causes people to have heart attacks. I always forget your voice that has told me countless times 'Relax baby, I've got this'...hmm. Lord, I can't go back to yesterday but I need your grace to make good decisions from this point forth. Thank you Lord.

Kafo said...

Lord forgive my empty hours of prayer. My empty hours of studying your word and fasting. Forgive my lack of faith. Have mercy Lord. Show me Your way.

zoe' said...

hi name sake...
good thing u got going on here.

Truth said...

Lord i thank you for the time you make me understant that prayer should be a way of life for me. That it should be the way my children communicate with me at different times, some times they say"hello mummy", and other times, they truely take time to pour it all out to me. In all these ways, you make me understand them. How much more understanding you are my Daddy. You know my upstanding and my downsitting. You know when i whisper it into You all hearing ears that are not short. You know when i just sream one word and then keep quiet. You also know when i just sit there, mute and looking lost in space. You understand it all. Thank you Daddy that You just hear me all the same and more over, You asnwer all my prayers

Adiya said...

I've always prayed short simple prayers, when i'm in very informal positions, and even when i'm in church. It always makes me self conscious that i'm done praying long before the prayer session is over. But still, thanks for this post- simplicity over length and formality. As Christians, it's really about our faith!

Happy Monday

P.S if you like, you can check out my blog: http://adiyaatu.wordpress.com

Zoe Believer said...

Thank you Jesus for being the best friend a girl could have...

Unknown said...

Now i just pray the word and thank God for His goodness.

Hello Lord, I love you so much and i am grateful for i know you take care of me and my family by your spirit.
Talk to you soon...

Unknown said...

I'm just waiting on you to do with me whatever you will..
I'm here.. Use me..

Rita said...

Thank you...