Prayer is Profoundly Simple

“Moses pleaded with the Lord to remove all the flies. And the Lord did as Moses asked and caused the swarms of flies to disappear (Exodus 9:30).”*

Don’t complicate prayer. It is profoundly simple.

Our Advocate

Even now my witness is in heaven.
My advocate is there on high.
I pour out my tears to God (Job 16:19-20).

What if God asked you what he asked Job?

I read Job 38-40 as though God were speaking to me. I was silenced and overwhelmed by God’s greatness.

Here’s some of what God asked:
Where you there when I laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4)?
Have you ever commanded the morning to appear (Job 38:12)?
Do you know where the gates of death are located (Job 38:17)?
Are you as strong as God (Job 40:9)?

What is your response?

Victor Hugo on Prayer

“To place the infinity here below in contact, by medium of thought, with the infinity on high, is called praying.”*

Victor Hugo, Les Miserables, p.321.

Pour out your Heart

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to him in prayer (Lamentations 2:19).

Water, poured out, flows into a new shape.
A heart, poured out to the Lord, is shaped to desire and trust God’s perfect will.

Hold Fast

Prayer is a mutual holding between God and us.

I am your God . . . I will uphold you with my righteous hand (Isaiah 41:10).

We hold on to what we have until Jesus comes (from Revelation 2:25).

Asking Prayers Lead to Praise

We ask.
God answers.
We thank Him.
We tell others.
God is praised!

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 3

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s the conversation of relationship.

Are you at odds with God? Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3)

The decision to get right is yours, not God’s.

• The Publican said, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner (Luke 18:13).
• The thief on the cross said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (Luke 23:42).”

God has already done and still does his part in our relationship.

• While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
• If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous (1 John 2:1).

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer -2

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s talking with someone who knows you very well.

Every one of us can pray this: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:1-5).

Best Ways to Grow in Prayer – 1

The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s talking with someone. That someone is God, who is a person.

• He has a will and he wants us to understand what it is (Ephesians 5:17).
• He has emotions. He gets angry, rejoices, grieves and laughs (Psalm 18:7, Zephaniah 3:17. Genesis 6:6, Psalm 2:4).
• He has opinions. I want you to show mercy, not sacrifice. . . Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. (Matthew 12:8; Mark 10:14).
• He has a personality. He is humble and gentle at heart (Matthew 11:29).
• He has interests. He wants to bring God glory (John 12:28).
• He has abilities. Nothing is too hard for him to do (Jeremiah 32:17).
• He has relationships. Abraham was his friend (Exodus 32:27).