A lacking in one's prayer life...
It's not a shame to confess that your prayer life isn't what you know it
could be. Let's face it, we ARE talking to God, and that can be intimidating.
It can also be awkward. It can be a bit fretful, wondering if we are doing it
"right" (as people often say).
I'd say anyone humbling themselves to talk to or listen to God in prayer
is already on the right track. Amen?
But, you know, it's okay to confess that you want your prayer life to
change ... to grow ... to become more intimate, or effective. It's not only about
"right", but about growth.
Some disciples came to Jesus and asked for help in their prayer lives.
"Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one
of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.'"
(Luke 11:1 ESV)
These guys saw a qualitative difference in what Jesus said and the
fellowship He enjoyed, so they asked Him for help. They wanted what they saw
Jesus had!
I find it interesting that Jesus doesn't start talking about posture or
location or the kind of clothes someone wore. Jesus immediately leapt into
intimacy -- "Our Father..." -- and theology (all that follows). I
don't even think it's about form; Jesus spoke intimately with the Father about
things important to the Father and things one should be concerned for about
one's self. Jesus seemed to stress intimacy and theology.
That's important! A believer is called to abide (see John 15). A believer
is empowered by the Spirit to know God as "Father" and call on Him as
"Abba" (see Romans 8:15). This should drive our intimacy.
Secondly, theology IS important in prayer. Many times, we believers
(first) miss the intimacy, and we also ask God for things He'd never grant.
That's why knowing what God's will is so important!
Lastly, the joy of knowing God as Father should lead us to know we can
ask whatever we will, or vent, or cry, or jump for joy in prayer, and we
should. God can handle our wrong prayer requests, but we are the ones that miss
out when we do not intimately connect with the Father.
Do you need to grow in your prayer life? I know I do.
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