When I actually think about prayer and praying, there are two things that come to mind. One is from a preacher I heard as a teenager. We were at a Christian Music Camp, and there were services each morning before we started our practices and seminars.
I don't remember the name of the preacher...it was thirty-two or so years ago...but I think it was C. K. Price. How he explained our normal approach to prayer has stuck with me ever since. This is a paraphrase of what he said. None of this bit is original to me.
"We are a lot like three year old children when we pray. A three year old will bring his broken toy to daddy so it can be fixed. But daddy may have to put it on his workbench for a while before he can fix it. There are a lot of reasons for that. Maybe he needs to buy a part, or there's another job that needs done first...and sometimes it can't be fixed.
"If the toy isn't fixed in what the child thinks is "enough time," he may very well take it off the bench and try to fix it himself. This usually has disastrous results.
"When we pray, it's a lot like putting it on Daddy's bench. Like the child, we want our prayer answered *right now.* We also want that answer to be positive; we want our desires carried out. If it doesn't happen soon enough, we may try to fix it ourselves."
God isn't like a Coke machine. You can't put your prayer in, wait a few minutes and get your answer delivered right away. Sometimes that will happen, but not usually. God is our Daddy. That's what Abba means. He knows whether or not the prayer can be answered right now, or if we need to wait a while. He also knows when it's not something we should have. That's the role of a daddy.
The second thing I think about is when Jesus taught us how to pray. When was the last time any of us thought of those words we memorized so long ago? Do we know what they really mean?
Our Father, who art in heaven: God isn't a guy standing on a cloud with a thunderbolt waiting for us to mess up. He's our Father; our Daddy.
Hallowed be Thy Name: God is holy. Unless He makes something holy, it isn't. In fact, most of us say God and Lord because His name is sacred. It's important to recognize that.
Thy Kingdom Come: God's kingdom is one of peace. It's one where heartache and pain no longer exist. Yes, let His kingdom come.
Thy will be done: Now we're getting to some of the tricky parts. However, when we pray, we should always ask that no matter what we ask, what He wills is done. I know from experience that there are times when His answer really should be wait or no. It's important to understand that, pray it and mean it.
On Earth as it is in Heaven: If God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven, His kingdom will have come.
Give us this day our daily bread: It's easy to look over this part when you've got a well stocked larder and a full fridge. If you've ever had times hard enough that your kitchen makes Mother Hubbard's look lavish, the meaning of this phrase has more importance.
And forgive us our trespasses: God knows we're going to make mistakes, disobey His laws and otherwise mess up. Acknowledging that is important...mostly for us. The next section is why.
As we forgive those who trespass against us: First, God knows we aren't always going to be forgiving, and this isn't a club over our heads saying "forgive them or else." It's about acknowledgement that we have all sinned and it makes forgiving someone easier.
Lead us not into temptation: The world is full of tempting things that we shouldn't take part in. With God's help, it's a lot easier not to be seduced by the temptation.
And deliver us from evil: Evil is all around us. We are surrounded by things that want to separate us from God. The only protection from those evils *is* God.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory: His is the kingdom we seek, His is the power to make it real and the glory of His being and actions are what will help us be in it someday.
For ever and ever: To me, this means both inside time, where we are and outside time, where God is.
Amen: So be it.
Prayer is about communing with God, asking for help and listening with our hearts for His answers. We can depend on His love, His help and His blessing. Being in His will is the answer to our prayers.
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