It’s a simple question, but it can be tough to answer.
It sounds like: “How has your talking to God been lately?”
Emotionally, it might feel like: “Sum up your relationship with God at this point in your life.”
Bible reading, by comparison, is more precise and “objective.”
- How many pages?
- How far along in your plan?
- Which books have you been reading?
- What have you learned?
Prayer doesn’t fit into an Excel sheet quite as easily.
Prayer may be the most critical and perplexing activity in the Christian life. We know we need to pray, but we know we don’t pray enough. And we’re not always sure we’re even doing it right when we pray. The devil hates prayer. Our flesh does not naturally love it. Therefore, it does not come full-born and complete and passionate from the womb of our heart. It takes discipline. God intends for your life to run on the power of prayer. Prayer fuels the engine of your heart and mind. It’s not coffee, energy drinks or social media buzz. It is prayer. You need prayer more than you need anything else. We will not do anything of any real and lasting value without God, which means we will not do anything of any real and lasting value without prayer. And yet, you probably feel as insecure about your prayer life as you do about any other aspect of your life.
The Bible doesn’t provide us with a single, simple picture or pattern for prayer. Jesus never intended for his model prayer (what we call The Lord’s Prayer) to be our only guide. It is a great place to start, but God’s word gives us much more material for our prayer lives. Prayer comes in many shapes and forms. Prayer happens in seconds. It can occur for short moments at the start of our day and can last for hours, even throughout an entire night.
Prayer is conscious, personal communication with the God of the universe. Conversation is what is essential to prayer.Prayer makes a difference in what happens (James 4:2). Our understanding of prayer will correspond to our knowledge of God. When God is seen as desiring to bless us, and when we acknowledge He is free to respond to us, prayer will be seen as a dialogue with God. Prayer will lead to a deeper communion with God and a greater understanding of His will.
A better question than “How’s your prayer life?” might be, “Have you been enjoying conscious communication with God over his word, in your daily needs, throughout your day?
Has your relationship with God been genuine through prayer, not just a box to check, not a hurried plea for help? Has your faith been tying you to God in your heart? Have you been leaning on him and not yourself?