Intimacy of prayer

When you pray, how do you pray? How were you taught to pray? And if you spoke to someone else the way you speak to God, would it make sense to them?

The sort of prayer I was taught about when I was a kid growing up was formal prayer. 

You’re meant to kneel, bow your head, clasp your hands together and then come up with some poignant, plausible, powerful words.

The problem is: that’s not the sort of prayer that the Bible talks about, at all!

Before Jesus' crucifixion, He threw Himself on the ground and prayed. He was under enormous pressure, so He poured His heart out to His Father in Heaven. He told His Dad what He was thinking and feeling.

Matthew 26:39 says, “Then Jesus went on a little farther away from them. He fell to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me drink from this cup. But do what you want, not what I want.’”

That’s Jesus praying to His Father in Heaven. It’s raw, real, and relational. Think about it. 

God loves you more than words can ever say. And when you love someone that much, you want them to be real with you. You want them to pour their hearts out to you. You want them to tell you what’s really going on, right?

Well, your Dad in heaven is just the same. Your quiet times of prayer are the most intimate moments you will ever have with God.

So when was the last time you poured your heart out to your Dad in Heaven?

Raw. Real. Relational. Now that’s a powerful prayer.

Life application questions  

• When you pray, are you more of an eyes-closed, hands-clasped kind of person? Or do you find it better to pray in other ways?
• What is your main goal when you pray? Are you praying from a feeling of obligation or because you need something specific? Or are you praying to build a stronger, deeper relationship with your Heavenly Father?
• Is your prayer life lacking power and intimacy? How can you shake up your usual routine? Try praying at different times of the day, outdoors, or in the car as you drive. Sing, journal, spend long moments in silence. Ask Him to speak to you through His Spirit.
• Why not take a few quiet moments now to switch off from the noise of the world, enter into God’s presence, and simply sit a while at His feet? Tell Him what’s on your mind. Pour out your heart to Him.