On the Alpha Course we are talking about Christian prayer! Lots of people might have said a prayer without really knowing if anyone, or anything, was listening, and even if someone was listening, did they care?
Put simply, prayer is a conversation... a conversation with God!
Prayer is perhaps the most important activity of our lives. The whole of the Trinity is involved in prayer. We pray to God the Father, through Jesus the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. We will learn more about the Trinity further on in the course.
Jesus prayed, regularly. If He felt the need to pray, probably we need to also.
Why do we pray?
Prayer allows us to develop our relationship with God. We need to remember that prayer is a two-way conversation with God, a dialogue, not a monologue.
Isn't it incredible that the God who created the universe speaks to us?! We will find out more about how God does this in two weeks when we look at 'How does God guide us?'
Prayer brings a peace, knowing that God is involved in your circumstances. It also brings a different perspective. A big problem can seem very small knowing that God is with you. Prayer also has power. Circumstances can change, sometimes instantly, because of prayer.
Some might say the results of prayer are simply coincidences. William Temple, a former archbishop of Canterbury, said this: 'When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't.'
God hears our prayers - all of them. However, He doesn't always give us the answers we want. However, He will give us the answers we need. Imagine a child, still at school, asking to join you for a large glass of your favourite alcoholic drink at the pub. You might say 'No' or you might say 'Wait'. Why? It is not good for the child to have a large glass of alcoholic drink in a pub! Prayer is not a spiritual magic wand to get what you want.
Some things we ask for in prayer are not right for us, not good for us, even though we think they are. God answers prayers with a 'Yes', a 'No' or a 'Wait'. His answers will always be perfect for us.
He is a loving father. He wants the best for us and will answer prayers accordingly.
How do we pray?
There is no set way to pray. You can pray anywhere. You can have you eyes open or your eyes closed. You can be stood up, walking, running, driving, kneeling down, sat down, even lying down. Prayers can be long or short. You can pray out loud or in your head. You can use any spoken language. You can use sign language. You can pray on your own or with others. When you pray with others it is good to pray out loud so that others can join in with your prayers! And if you are driving, keep your eyes open!
Prayers are not just to ask for things! Imagine if you had a child that only ever spoke to you when they wanted something. Of course, you would still love them, but you would probably want to train them in the art of conversation! God wants us to tell Him everything, to chat with Him about everything.
Some people use ACTS to help to know how to pray.
A for adoration. Tell God you love Him.
C is for confession. Tell God you are sorry for anything you have done wrong today.
T is for thanksgiving. Thank God for things He has done for you.
S is for supplication. Last of all, supplication; in other words, make your requests to God.
This is only a helpful guide to get you started in prayer. It is not in any way a 'rule' for praying.
It is good to have some regular times to pray, but it is good to pray here-and-there throughout the day, about anything and everything, and for anything and everything.
Start speaking to God, and then listen for Him speaking to you!
Recommended Reading:
'God on Mute' by Peter Greig, 'Too Busy Not to Pray' by Bill Hybels and 'What About `Other Religions?' by Nicky Gumbel.
