THE POWER OF A SIMPLE PRAYER

 

God didn’t intend for prayer to be as difficult as we make it out to be. It’s simply talking to Him. We don’t have to be in a specific environment, a certain posture or form, and there aren’t any strict rules or regulations to follow. 

We can pray anytime, anywhere—even just directing a thought towards God can be considered a silent prayer.

We don’t have to over-explain to God why we’re asking for His help. He sees our hearts and knows our minds better than we do. All we have to do is ask. Simple prayers can bring powerful results.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” Philippians 4:6 –

Prayer, for most of us, is not defined by a month-long retreat, or even an hour of meditation. Prayer is conversation with God. Prayer can be the internal voice that directs the external action.

God will teach you to pray. Don’t think for a minute he’s glaring at you from a distance with crossed arms and a scowl, waiting for you to get your prayer life together. Just the opposite. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you and you will eat with me” (Rev. 3:20 NCV). Jesus waits on the porch. He stands on the threshold. He taps … and calls. He waits for you to open the door. To pray is to open it. Prayer is the hand of faith on the door handle of your heart. The willing pull. The happy welcome to Jesus: “Come in, O King. Come in.” The kitchen is messy, but come in. I didn’t clean up, but come in. I’m not much of a conversationalist, but come in. We speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer at its purest form. God changes his people through such moments.

Prayer starts with an honest, heartfelt “Oh, Daddy.” Jesus taught us to begin our prayers by saying, “Our Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). More specifically, our “Abba in heaven.” Abba is an intimate, tender, folksy, pedestrian term, the warmest of the Aramaic words for “father.” Formality stripped away. Proximity promised. Jesus invites us to approach God like a child approaches Daddy. Become as little children. Carefree. Joy-filled. Playful. Trusting. Curious. Excited. Forget greatness, seek littleness. Trust more, strut less. Make lots of requests and accept all the gifts. Come to God like a child comes to Daddy.