Little prayers – big God. There is probably no topic within church circles that generates more affirmation yet such sense of inadequacy as the subject of prayer. How do we approach God? How spiritual do we need to be to get answers to prayers? Does prayer really work? Why does it seem like some prayers are answered yet some prayers are not, at least not as we expected? In a sense, praying is somewhat complicated. Remember the acrostic ACTS? Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Helpful words as we consider various aspects of prayer.
Praying without ceasing makes the most sense to me. Continue in the attitude of prayer even if the words are not always present. After all, at its most basic, prayer is simply talking with God.
Yet with several decades of exploring prayer, reading more books and articles on prayer than I have the capacity to recall, it seems to me that the secret of effective prayer is simply to pray, Pray whatever the situation. Pray whatever the need. Pray when relaxed. Pray when anxious. Pray sentence prayers. Pray longer prayers. Pray when you feel close to God. Pray when God seems distant. Pray when tears dim the vision. Pray when laughter is on the lips. Pray for people. Pray over life’s events. Pray for yourself and get prayed for by others. Pray. Pray. Pray. If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that all of our prayers, from the human perspective, feel somewhat inadequate. Probably not worded quite right. Likely overly selfish. Undoubtedly lacking deep enough faith. Yet, let us never forget that our little prayers are touching the heart and mind of a very big God!
Praying without ceasing makes the most sense to me. Continue in the attitude of prayer even if the words are not always present. After all, at its most basic, prayer is simply talking with God. Prayer is conversation. As we talk with God, over time an amazing friendship develops. Perhaps that is the heart of it all. God is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him. Right now. Right here. Have a talk with the Almighty whom we are privileged to call “Abba”, daddy!