Dear Friends,
I don’t remember how old I was when I first started to pray. Like many, I can recall reciting the simple, “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer, but I’m not sure I understood to whom I was praying; I just know that it comforted me.
The word prayer (from the Latin precari “to ask earnestly, beg, entreat”). Wikipedia offers, prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to a cultivate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication.
As Christians, a primary goal in our prayers is to create rapport with God. Because an understanding of this goal depends on our understanding of the words “God” and “rapport,” let’s look at definitions from Merriam Webster.
God (with a capital “g”): “the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped as creator and ruler of the universe.”
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12a (NLT)
Rapport: “a friendly, harmonious relationship; especially a relationship characterized by agreement, mutual understanding, or empathy that makes communication possible or easy.”
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7
Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Nehemiah 1:11a (NIV)
Saddleback Church has entered a season called “Forty Days of Prayer.” Over the next six weeks, the weekly messages and the focus of small group study will, we hope, help us foster greater rapport with God through a stronger prayer life. Bonnie and I plan to share with our readers summaries of some of the key thoughts presented during this season. If you would like to listen to the weekly messages, go to http://www.saddleback.com.
Week 1 — Key Thoughts
When we focus on our personal prayer life we gain more confidence and greater faith. Prayer was God’s idea. He wants to hear from you because he loves you. Pastor Rick identified four purposes of prayer:
1. Prayer is an act of dedication — Prayer offers an opportunity to express our devotion and dependence on God. Too often, we overestimate our own abilities. When we pray, we let go of our pride and recognize our need to remain connected to God. In return, God offers to answer our prayers.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:5-7
2. Prayer is an act of communication — How do stay connected to your best friend? John 15:15 teaches that God chose you as his best friend, and he wants to hear from you. Prayer is a conversation with God. There is nothing too big or too small to share with him.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
3. Prayer is an act of supplication — That’s a fancy theological term for requesting. God’s chosen method of meeting our needs is through prayer. But we often miss out on God’s blessings because we fail to present our request to God.
You do not have because you do not ask God. James 4:2
When we learn how to make our requests to God, we will discover the key to peace of mind.
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. Philippians 4:6-7
4. Prayer is an act of cooperation — In prayer, we partner with God toward the accomplishment of his plan. We get to cooperate with him to accomplish his will.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14
When Jesus was on Earth, he worked his miracles one at a time. But we are not limited by time and space. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, our prayers can touch people across the globe. When we are in rapport with God, we can work miracles.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 