Reflection to Insight

Recently I was thinking about the topic of prayer, and how sometimes it can feel like a very overwhelming thing. When we think about talking to the One who created the entire universe, saved us from sin and death, and holds all power and authority over everything and everyone, it can feel intimidating.

But after looking to the Lord for some insight on what my next post should be, I felt a nudge to write about prayer and how we can all implement it in our lives. I won’t claim to know everything about what a healthy prayer life looks like. But I’ll share some principles I’ve used over the years that have helped me draw nearer to Jesus.

Firstly, Prayer is simply a conversation with God.

It’s important to make sure that we are respecting Him as we pray. But I want you to remember that we can talk to God like we talk to one another. Some people like to pray with deep reverence, and use various words and titles for God to uplift Him. An example might be, “Our gracious Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you today and ask–” and so on and so forth.

There isn’t anything wrong with doing this, and I certainly feel there is a time and a place for it.

However, sometimes we can get too focused on using super fancy words when talking with God, that we take out the simplicity of it. While Jesus is the creator of the universe, He is also our friend. It’s okay to talk to Him as such, and have a more casual conversation.

While remembering to talk to Him with respect and humbleness, also think about how you would speak with a friend or family member, and then do that with Him. You might find that it takes some of the pressure off from prayer and it feels a little easier. You may also find greater intimacy with Him through this too.

Secondly, Show Him Gratitude.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Thanking Jesus for all that He does in our lives is a great way to set our minds on His goodness. This is especially important for moments when everything is extremely difficult and turbulent.

But it is also good for times of peace and prosperity, as we remember that it is through the provision of the Lord that we are richly blessed.

This is a habit I try to implement more frequently, because I find that when I don’t, it’s easy to focus on all the problems in my life, and forget about all the wonderful people and things God has given me. As it says in the verse above, this practice guards our hearts and minds and provides us peace.

Thirdly, Remember that He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

As mentioned before, gratitude is an important part of both a healthy prayer life, and a healthy outlook on life. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be honest with God about the stinky, treacherous parts of our lives.

Because He is our loving Good Shepherd, He wants to hear about our concerns and struggles. He wants to be invited in to the mess so he can both console us, and help bring us out of it.

If we get trapped in the mindset that we have to bear our burdens alone, and overcome in our own strength, we will get exhausted and frustrated very quickly. God doesn’t want us to go it alone. He wants to walk with us through the valley, and provide strength and rest along the way.

Also note one key phrase in the verse being all your anxiety. Not some of it, but all of it. So don’t feel that there are some things you can share, and some things you can’t. Jesus wants to hear from you about each aspect of life that has you concerned.

So while we should celebrate with Jesus and thank Him for His goodness and provision, don’t forget to let Him into the complicated stuff too. Don’t think you have to put on a brave face for Him. You’re His child, and His love for you exceeds all human understanding.

I hope these three tips can help you in your relationship with God. I know that sometimes prayer can feel like a large task we may not know how to execute. But don’t be intimidated. Just remember that while God holds all power and authority, He also desires an intimate relationship with you. He’s never too big or too busy to take time to sit and talk with us. He’s always ready and available to communicate with us. We just have to take the time to speak and listen to Him.

With all that said, I’ll catch you guys later. I love you all and I hope you have a blessed day!