Making God-Centred Prayers

In a world filled with ambiguity, we long for clarity in the midst of confusion and straight forward answers to life’s questions. We think of life as a puzzle to be solved, a mystery to unravel and we do all that we can to get to the bottom of why we had to go through challenging, confusing and seemingly hopeless situations. How can we go about making sense of life and its complexities especially when God seems to act in puzzling ways?

While Jeremiah obeyed God decisively and bought the field at Anathoth, his prayer revealed his puzzlement and confusion about what God had told him to do (seen later in verse 25). He acknowledged the present reality of the Babylonian’s impending capture of the city and knew in his heart that God Himself was bringing judgement on Judah as He had proclaimed. However, he could not comprehend how God could work things out such that Judah would be restored in the future.

Interestingly, Jeremiah’s prayer did not begin with him hurling his questions at God and demanding answers. Instead, he came before God in prayer by first acknowledging who God is and with reverence in worship. Jeremiah praised God for His majestic power in creation (v17), His loving kindness (v18) and remembers how He is omniscient (v19) and holds all power in His hands.

How do you respond when you cannot seem to make sense of life circumstances or understand how God is moving in your life? Is turning to God in prayer often your first or last resort? When you pray, what is your heart posture like? Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from Jeremiah’s prayer, where his posture in prayer first centred around who God is, remembering His majestic power and His faithful love.

Beyond seeing prayer as a tool to get answers we are seeking, may we see prayer firstly as relating to God and remembering our smallness in light of His sovereignty. Our prayers should acknowledge that God is at work and not aloof from our circumstances. By drawing close to God in prayer, we exercise faith to petition and trust God, acknowledging our utter need for Him. Let us learn to surrender to God in prayer, being assured that He holds our future, even if we cannot fully make sense of the present.

"God, You are good and Your mercy endures forever. Help me know who You really are and that You are always close and not far."