Have you ever felt pressured to pray? If so, did you and what did you say?
Let’s face it, there are times when we shy away from praying. Admittedly, there is an element of praying that can be intimidating because with praying comes pressure.
We struggle to collect our thoughts so that we can say the right words. Sometimes we are not comfortable with our motives for certain things we desire. Or our faith struggles to believe if God really hears, if God will answer and whether we are deserving. Ultimately, we want to know when to expect or experience God’s answer once we lay it all before Him.
These are just a few of the pressure points that commonly accompany our prayer challenges.
Read Matthew 6:6-8. Jesus teaches a lesson on praying that is intended to take off some of the pressure.
First of all, our motives can pass the test. Jesus teaches us to keep our motives under the microscope and in-check. According to Matthew 6:6, this happens when you “go into your room and close the door.” In other words, examine yourself privately — just you and God. And only be concerned with “your Father who sees what is done secretly.” Behind closed doors, God will reveal some areas that either need correction or warrant affirmation. Whatever the case, the end goal is selfless and right motives in your praying.
Secondly, when feeling pressured about what to say Jesus teaches you should not be preoccupied with lengthy, repetitious words that you think will make an impression. Believe it or not, your words can be short, heartfelt expressions that come from the innermost, honest part of your being — whether good or bad. Your genuine honesty before God has the greatest potential for a relationship with Him that is stable and will flourish. The better part of who you are meant to be will continue to come forth, one instance after another. So talk to God, not at Him. You are having a conversation with God who loves you, knows what you need and has the answers you seek.
And lastly, there have been times when you prayed to God unsure of what to believe and whether God will answer. When this happens, the pressure to fake your faith is easy. You yearn to believe God will answer but you secretly wallow in pity-partying doubt. Often what follows is a list of reasons why you feel undeserving of God’s answers. You see all the odds stacked against you. God seems to take too long. You experience contrary circumstances that have the audacity to do one those “in-your-face” attacks on your faith.
Jesus wants you to pay attention and trust these words, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” This is perhaps the best defense when your faith to believe is confronted with all kinds of contradictions. However such an encouraging promise is not an out not to ask; you should still pray and believe God. But, pray with a level of trust in the God whom you know will answer with your best interests at heart. In your praying, it is ok to express, “God, you know what I need before I ask.”
Some of you are parents. At times, you can tell when your children need new clothes, bedroom furnishings or other material items and will take the initiative to meet those needs without their asking. God is the same way. The difference is God encourages His children to ask as an act of faith and dependence upon Him.
This is God’s promise in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him,” (NIV). God wants us to at least have enough faith to ask, not go at it on our own and ahead of Him. Without realizing, you can roll out the red carpet and invite pressure into your situations when you proceed without God.
Prayer’s pressure points should not dictate your motives, words or faith in God. Instead, the pressures can propel you to communicate with God with pure, confident and unhypocritical hearts, just as Jesus’ taught.
Until next time,
Keep the faith