Prayer is that wonderful opportunity to talk with the awesome, all knowing, all powerful, author and creator of the universe.
There is so much that can be said on the subject of prayer that it would be presumptuous to try to cover the subject properly in just a brief article. I would like to share, however, some insights or thoughts on common everyday questions surrounding the act of prayer.
Is there a right place to pray?
A common thought accepted by many is that prayer should only take place in church or in the privacy of the home. Many people are very uncomfortable with praying anywhere outside of a church or home, despite having been told that God is everywhere and that He is always near. If it is believed that God is everywhere, it should certainly be acceptable to pray to Him anywhere. I recall that, when my youngest son was in middle school, he had a problem calling out answers in class. Perhaps he thought he was being enthusiastic, but his teacher advised that this behavior was very disruptive. The behavior had become a pattern or habit for my son, and so when I spoke to him about it, he told me that he was trying but he was having a hard time. I told him simply that, whenever he got the feeling to speak out before being called on, he should whisper a prayer to God to help him. He promised to try it. Before the term ended, the happy teacher reported to me that the behavior had been quelled. My son was happy, but so was I. This had proved to him that he could indeed talk to God anywhere – even in the classroom. As I was raising my children, I impressed upon them the importance of praying to God anywhere and anytime they felt it necessary to reach out to Him. I was still taken aback, however, on an occasion when my car broke down on a busy street in the middle of rush hour. While I was still thinking about what to do, one of my sons called from the back seat, “Let’s pray.”
Is there a right time to pray?
There are many debates about the right time to pray. Some believe that prayers should be daily. There are those who believe it is most important to pray first thing in the morning, while others believe the best time to pray is at night. Some religions believe that there is a special time of the day that is important for prayers. We are told that we serve a perpetual God who is always listening; therefore, it stands to reason that He will be available to hear prayers at all times. It should be quite comfortable for one to whisper a prayer or find a quiet place throughout the day if it becomes necessary to communicate with God — a quiet prayer at the work desk, a prayer while driving in the car, a prayer while in line at the grocery store, a prayer when given bad news, a prayer when God has shown up in a special way and the heart overflows with thanks and praise, and the words simply cannot be contained.
Is there a right way to pray?
Another important consideration is choosing the right way to pray. Many people deliberate at length on the proper position for praying. For many years, the traditionally accepted way of praying has been to kneel down with closed eyes and heads bowed with hands closed together in front of the heart (chest/upper body area). Praying on bent knees with heads bowed is symbolic of showing humility and reverence. A form of curtsy is still practiced in the presence of Britain’s royal family and, in many countries, some form of homage is expected for royalty and other government officials and luminaries. In the case of praying, the reverence being offered is for a God who is the ultimate ruler of all and most deserving of honor and respect. While the traditional position of prayer is ideal in the comfort of the church or home, it is not always feasible in examples such as while driving a car. Praying is oh-so-necessary many times on busy interstates and highways, however closing eyes while driving may prove inconvenient, tragic, and even fatal. I have a friend who last year broke her hand and was in a cast for a few months. She was praying while exercising on the treadmill and forgot, or out of habit, closed her eyes.
Are there right things to say when praying?
Many people are afraid to pray. People feel that there are specific things that should be mentioned in prayer. There are those who believe that special persons such as pastors, elders, and “prayer warriors” are more equipped to pray because they know exactly what to say. Praying is talking to God, and therefore it should involve telling Him whatever needs to be shared. Jesus Christ gave a very good suggestion on a formula for prayer. In Luke 11:2-4, he taught his disciples when praying to acknowledge God’s stature and supreme significance: “Father, may your name be kept holy.” He taught too that petitions to God can be both physical and spiritual, saying, “Give us each day the food we need and forgive us our sins.” Christ’s suggestion is that one should not be uncomfortable about making petitions to God, but thanks and praise should also be given.
Prayer is a unique opportunity to speak with the one true God and therefore it is understandable that each person will approach God in a unique way. When approaching the subject of prayer it is good to know about God that: 1. He is always near; 2. He is Everywhere; 3. He loves and cares; and 4. Shared burdens he will bear.
