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The teachings of various men and women on the topic of prayer have blessed GTCC. Indeed, through them, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to us in multiple ways about the importance that prayer takes in our lives. We were challenged to change our paradigm to prayer and recognize it as a mode of communication rather than a formula that many of Jesus’s followers use when facing daily situations. So many takeaways come to mind as I reflect on the teachings as I write this community brief.
I understand that I have to re-center my prayers to the person to whom I address them. It implies a relationship with Him. As a covenant child of God, I must remember that: “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honour and life” (Proverbs 22:4). I recognize that I breathe and work, study and interact with fellow human beings because my heavenly Father grants me such privileges. It is important that it is not about me but rather what my Father wants to do through me.
Many of us are prayerful, bible scholars and successful in ways that demonstrate the Hand of God upon our lives. However, they do not always give credit to their Heavenly Father for the results. Consciously or not, such attitude speaks of pride as the Individuals have an appearance of spirituality but renounce the Invisible hands working behind the lines on their behalf.
Eve and Adam wanted to be like God and ended up mortal, expelled from the Garden in the exaltation of power and freedom. Nebuchadnezzar boasted, “Is not this great Babylon I have built?” (Daniel 4:30) until God deprived him of his wits. Pride comes naturally to the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve, but “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6). I would like to encourage us to continue praying as never before.
My encouragement lies in the belief that the humble persons think honestly about themselves, not too high, nor falsely denying what God has given: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.)
I do not write this article to feel guilty about how you pray or do not pray. I write this article as a reminder of your position in Christ Jesus. “You Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens You” (Philippians 4:13). The critical element is that prayer is based not on your human ability but on your willingness to spend time in His presence. It can be a real battle to keep going with prayer on all occasions, and it can be easy to wind up feeling guilty about not praying. I read from a friend recently that clergy spends an average of 16 minutes in prayer each day. It doesn’t sound that impressive, but I wonder how it was measured? Did each vicar have to wear a prayer-o-meter and press a button at the start and end of each prayer?
I have questions to understand how churches, organizations and individuals track their prayer (in) activity. How do they define ‘prayer”? Do you include adoration? It is a strange question, one may think, but I discovered that some people do not think adoration is a form of prayer. “Yet,” Jesus said, “the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” (John 4:23-24.) Seek first His face to worship Him and spend time with Him. Everything will be added unto you.
