Hey, Do you need Help in your Prayer Life? (Post #46)

"Therefore, when I pray, I pray knowing that WHATEVER I ask for, God can do it.  However, I also accept that He has the right to do a new thing, if that thing is best thing."

Okay, so roll with me on this.  
 
In my head, I imagine an average person on the street, playing basketball against LeBron James.   While, he’s playing this person (still in my mind) I see him looking at the guy crazy for not knowing how to make an uncontested lay-up. I envision that he’d be like, “Dude, (in my head LeBron says “dude”) that’s like the easiest part of the game.  Who can’t make a layup?!”

And of course, who could argue anything basketball with Lebron?!  After all, he’s a 3 x NBA champion, 3 x Finals MVP, 4 x NBA MVP, 14 x All-Star, and arguably the greatest basketball player alive.  Right?
 
Well, actually if there was ever a person to argue with, he’d (Lebron James) would be the person.
 
Stay with me.  
 
You see, God has blessed him in such a way that basketball is literally second nature to him.  However, if he were to assume (and I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t) that it came just as natural to others, such an assumption is more than problematic, it’s also very unfair.  The fair think to do would be to assume that any average street player is far below his level.  Thus, affording the player a chance to learn and develop.
 
Well, as I considered this fact, it forced me to also consider a commonality that Lebron and I share (and you can guess that it is absolutely not basketball.)  
 
As a minister, I had to open my eyes to things that I feel are natural to me, and furthermore accept that these things could very well be unnatural to others. I’d even go as far as to say that MAYBE they’re even unnatural to you, the reader, of this blog, whom I thank, a whole lot.  LOL!
 
I hear you thinking, “So, what might this area be?” And then it hit me….
 
Maybe people need to learn how to pray.  Sure, it’s talking; however, I’ve had more than a few people ask me HOW to do it.
 
So, I figured I’d take on the LeBron role (IMPORTANT NOTE:  I’m definitely NOT claiming to be the LeBron James of prayer) and share what I believe to be 6 quick prayer tips:

• Be Informed:  If you’ve assembled 100 baby cribs, then you may not need to read before you complete your 101st.  However, if you’re working on your first, it’s not only wise, but it’s also time saving and educating for you to read the instructions FIRST.  For the potential prayer warrior, Jesus gives us the breakdown of prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.  You’ll find great relief in Vs. 9 when He says, “This, then, is how you should pray…”(NIV) 
• Be Assured:  As you pray, you should maintain a righteous level of optimism.  In that, you should be assured that God can; however, you should also be confident that He will.  This (in my opinion) is the greatest mishap in the prayer life of the believer.  I’ve known people (and I’ve been people) who’ve prayed with a wishful expectation and were left frustrated and disillusioned when their prayers weren’t answered as desired. Here’s a little-known fact:  Prayer is less about asking, and more about trusting.  The Bible reminds us in Romans 8:26-27 that our plea may not align with God’s Plan and that’s okay.  Therefore, when I pray, I pray knowing that WHATEVER I ask for, God can do it.  However, I also accept that He has the right to do a new thing, if that thing is best thing.

"Here’s a little-known fact:  Prayer is less about asking, and more about trusting."

• ​Be Consistent:  In this smartphone world where we can set alarms and reminders for everything, I can’t think of a better alarm to have than a prayer alarm.  Consider a time that works best of you and make prayer a habit.  Like all habits, you may not want to do it always; however, the more consistent you become, the more wonderfully dependent you’ll be.    
• Ask in Faith, and if you Lack Faith, ask for Greater Faith:  2 facts: #1 – 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)  Essentially, Paul is telling us that if we want to receive anything from God, we must first trust that He has the capacity and ability to make it happen.  However, as encouraging as this is, I find greater encouragement in the book of Mark. There the Bible says in 9:23-24, “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” (24) Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (NIV)What I love best about that story, is that even in His trust struggle, Jesus gave him both of his desires:  the healing of his son and the faith that he lacked.  

"There the Bible says in 9:23-24, “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” (24) Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (NIV)"

• Be Honest:  Listen, if you can’t be honest with anybody (which is a whole other problem), at least be honest in prayer.  When I pray, I accept that my faith convicts me to know that Jesus knows everything about me, even before I say it. Therefore, it makes no sense to carry on like everything is great, when I know that He knows, it’s not.  He knows your addiction, He knows you’re bitter, you’re jealous, you’re lying to others, He even knows when you’re mad at Him. And here’s the good news, He still cares.  Therefore, don’t hide it or deny it.  One of the most therapeutic parts of prayer, is the surrender of your darkest secrets to a loving God and knowing that He has the Power to lift you up.  

"And here’s the good news, He still cares.  Therefore, don’t hide it or deny it."

• Be Natural:  I may lose some of you here.  However, I’m imperfect.  I think one of the problems for the development of your personal prayer life, is the unnatural presentation of public prayer.  Now, please allow me to be clear:  I’m definitely not saying that these prayer warriors are faking or inauthentic.  However, I do believe that one could walk away from “some” public prayers so in awe of the mechanics and the method, that they miss the meaning and the message.  That is, whether you pray with the verbal acumen of a professional orator, or the speaking novice of a 4-year-old, the ONLY point that matters is your heart’s sincerity.  The Bible records that God is less concerned about your eloquence, and more so with your testament.   Be sure, be assured, and above all, be yourself.

"However, I do believe that one could walk away from “some” public prayers so in awe of the mechanics and the method, that they miss the meaning and the message."

​I believe that I could go on for days; however, I think you get it.  Prayer is important, and these are 6 steps that I believe will allow even the novice to gain much from it.  
 
So, what did you think?  Was this helpful?  Which point registered with you the most?  Give me a hit below and let me know.  Agree?  Disagree? I want to hear from you.  Like us on Facebook.  Follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and share this post with someone you love.  Thanks in advance.  
 
Imperfectly,

Kevin D. Jones, Sr.

Author and Publisher of Perfectly Imperfect Perfectionist
(@kevindjonessr)
(@imperfection360)