Prayer Focused (part 1)

Note: Alan is unavailable this week. In his absence, the following article is written by Jeff Cox.
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Introduction.  When you read the New Testament, it is easy to be impressed by the emphasis on Christians praying to God.  Typical scriptures include:

• “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart“ Luke 18:1
• “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:16-18
• “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” 1 Tim. 2:8

The New Testament also reveals many aspects about effective prayer, to include the need for being obedient to God (1 John 3:22), doing it in faith (James 1:6-7), and being consistent with God’s revealed will (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14).  There are also warnings about avoiding vain or pointless repetitions:

• “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matt. 6:7-8)

And yet at the same time, there are many things we should pray about:

• “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“ Phil. 4:6-7

Add to that what is arguably an amazing example of Jesus:

• “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

But Christians who try to pray frequently as they should can start to fall into a rut of repeating many of the same things every time, sometimes without even thinking much about it.  How can we avoid that to keep our prayers focused and fresh?

An Approach and A Challenge. One possible approach is to consider the different categories or topics our prayers should address and then try to be as specific as possible in each category.  Even making a written list to remind us can be helpful.

So as you read the remainder of this multi-part article, we would challenge you to take out paper and pen to write down a detailed list of things you could pray about.  By quietly reflecting on the following topics, we are confident you can think of a number of specific, relevant things you can add to your prayers. 

Praise.  Praising God is a key element of prayer.  As Jesus instructed His disciples:

• “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.’ So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. …’“ Luke 11:1-2

“Hallowed” means to acknowledge God as being holy, venerable, and sanctified - a Being worthy of praise and adoration.  But how can we make that more specific, more meaningful, and more relevant? Consider the following and see if you can expand them on your list.

God’s Power and Glory Revealed thru His Natural Creation. As Rom. 1:20-21 says,

• “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.“

Think about how many things you routinely see in nature and take for granted when you could be praising God’s power and glory for them in your prayers.  For example, what about beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the majesty of the high mountains and crashing waves, or the awesome power of lightening and thunder (Job 37:1-6)?  Or the incomprehensible power of the sun, stars, supernovas, and galaxies? Or the amazing abundance and diversity of life on this planet? Or the intricate and marvelous complexity in even “simple” single celled organisms, much less complex systems like vision, circulation, and reproduction?  Job 38-41 provides a fertile ground for exploring ideas in this area.  So are the aspects of nature often cited as evidence for God’s existence.  At our website, see “Topics > C” for “Christian Evidences” for more from this perspective.

God’s Nature Revealed Thru The Bible.  Consider the following:

• “… Then Moses rose early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him; and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone. Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.” Ex. 34:4-7
• “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;” Heb. 7:26

God is described in the Bible as not only an immortal Being who can speak entire galaxies into existence (Gen. 1), but who is “holy” and “light”. For example, consider (and add to your list?) some of the notable miracles He performed throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Frankly, it is amazing to me that such a Supreme Being not only takes note of our existence on this insignificant speck of dust in the cosmos, but actually cares about us and wants a relationship with us.

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17
• “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7

How many different attributes about God revealed thru His word can you add to your list of praises during your prayers? See “Topics > N” for “Nature of God” for more ideas.

Conclusion. See our next article for more categories and specific ideas to enhance your communications with God.  But for the time being, feel free to explore our related material under Topics > P” for “Prayer”.