Spinning Your Prayers?

I am fascinated by the various ways that people pray. At the station where I buy my auto fuel in the early morning I hear a CD playing that has a man's voice repeating lines over and over. To my ear, it sounds a little like an auctioneer. I asked the owner about the sounds and he told me they were his 'morning prayers.' I once visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem and saw Jewish people standing facing the wall, murmuring and moving in prayers. Many slipped little pieces of paper bearing their petitions into the cracks between the stones. Tibetan Buddhists spin prayer wheels, cylinders on which prayers are printed, believing that the act of spinning the wheels is the same as saying the prayers. Many Christians adopt rote prayers which they recite at various times.

Jesus calls us from ritual to conversation!  

God, He said, is not interested in the quantity of our words but in the condition of our heart as we come before Him. "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:6-7, NIV) He constantly focuses us on our 'Father,' the caring, loving Person. The Scripture reminds us that when the Spirit is invited to live in us, we reach out to our "Abba" (Daddy) when we pray.

At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon prayed and he words are preserved for us in 2 Chronicles 6. The king, again and again, prays that God's Name will be honored as He hears the prayers of the people and answers them. He acknowledges God's greatness, yet clings to His personal promises.

"But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you. May you watch over this Temple day and night, this place where you have said you would put your name. May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive." (2 Chronicles 6:18-21, NLT)

"In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands when they hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name." (2 Chronicles 6:32-33, NLT)

Are your prayers humble and focused on the Father's love?

Is it your desire that He answer in a way that provides honor to His Great Name?

Our prayers need not be long and anguished to be heard. They need not be eloquent, lawyerly, and convincing. Our Father is looking for hearts that hunger for Him, for people who love Him, for those who bring their petitions with faith to receive. Jesus tore away the ritualism that blocks fervent, effective prayer. Don't fall into that trap again, thinking that God can be impressed with religiosity. Instead, as He taught, simply 'ask, seek, and knock.' If you're sad, cry with your Abba. If you're afraid, tell Him. Share your joy. If you need to shout, do it. If you want to whisper, that's fine with Him, too.

Just don't ignore Him! No Father likes to be forgotten until a crisis arises or a storm blows in. Offer Him your worship often. Seek His Presence every day.
And, you will learn to pray in a way that honors His great Name.

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Your Great Name

   

Lost are saved find their way

At the sound of Your great Name

All condemned feel no shame

At the sound of Your great Name

Ev'ry fear has no place

At the sound of Your great Name

The enemy he has to leave

At the sound of Your great Name

Jesus worthy is the Lamb
that was slain for us

The Son of God and man

You are high and lifted up

And all the world will praise

Your great Name

All the weak find their strength

At the sound of Your great Name

Hungry souls receive grace

At the sound of Your great Name

The fatherless find their rest

At the sound of Your great Name

The sick are healed the dead are raised

At the sound of Your great Name

Redeemer my Healer
Lord Almighty

Defender my Savior
You are my King

Sing the Name of Jesus

We worship the Name of Jesus

We bow before Jesus

There is no other Name but Jesus

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