The What To Do with Prayer

I used to think of Jesus as one who would answer my prayers the way I prayed them.

Now I am reminded that he is Christ, because he just wants to hear my prayers. And the solutions I desire are not always what is best for me.

As a child growing up I used to pray God please give me a good day, keep me safe and basically make requests from God. While this is not necessarily a bad thing to do, it is not communicating with God as he desires. It is not a relationship, it is just a todo list for Jesus. As I read about how we are to pray continuously, the Bible does not call for prayer to be just coming up with a list of things for Jesus to do over and over. 

1 Thessalonians 5

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Raising my kids I learned that I could solve many of the problems they encountered for them. However they did not grow or learn from that experience. Because I wanted my kids to learn, grow and become stronger they had to endure lessons, discipline and training. Jesus is our savior, but he is not going to save us from all trials and struggles. He wants us to come to him with them to let him know when we are scared, when we are weak, when we don’t know what to do. Jesus understands our pains as he has experienced them first hand.

The trials we face are what make us who we are. It is our response to turn to him FIRST that leads us to finding peace. He will comfort us through his Spirit in ways that cannot be explained only experienced.

Psalm 145

18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.