The other day, my girls, Sophie and Bianca, and I scooted in at a table in the back corner our local Starbucks with our favorite drink and began a new discipleship book called, “What’s Up? Discovering Jesus, the Gospel, and Who You REALLY Are”.
In the first unit, we discussed facts about who God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are. I could see the girls’ wheels turning as they contemplated a Triune God. Let’s just say, we know we are only scratching the surface in understanding it. During our discussion Sophie said to me, “Mom, if Jesus was perfect, how could he be hungry and tired.” I smiled at her childlike understanding of the lesson. I bet Jesus did too.
I replied, “Jesus was fully God AND fully human so He got tired and hungry. He felt feelings like we do and was even tempted.” At that comment both of their eyes grew wide. Bianca said, “But I thought He didn’t sin.” I explained that temptation and sin were different. I asked if they’ve ever been tempted to do something and known there was a right choice and wrong one. They said yes. I said whenever that happened Jesus always chose right. He was perfect.
On the way home from our study, I thought about how much the girls have learned and how far they have to go. I smiled as I recounted comments in my mind:
“Wait, God is three people?!”
“Is that in the 1st Testament?”
Jesus help me!
I know there is much to learn but guess what? I’m still learning too. The wealth of God’s wisdom is endless. We will always be growing in truth and wisdom and learning how to live in this world.
Take prayer for example.
I’ve been a Christian since I was a girl. I have prayed all my life. Over the past year, God has been in a sense re-focusing the lens with which I view the gift of prayer.
While reading through the New Testament (not the 2nd Testament but the New One), I have noticed often throughout the Gospels passages that Jesus got alone to pray and took time out for prayer. Sometimes dedicating hours to prayer like praying through the night. You can see the many accounts of Him retreating to pray here:
JESUS SETS THE EXAMPLE FOR PRAYER.
Before I began this journey deeper in prayer, the thought might have easily come to me, “If Jesus was perfect, why did He need to pray?”
Honestly, I believe this comes from a mindset that prayer is mainly for the purpose of gaining from God something you need. Don’t get me wrong. I have lived a lifetime watching God answer prayers. I have lifted my needs to God on countless occasions and God has answered. He promises to. But God has more for us in prayer than to simply meet our needs.
The Gospel is the good news that Jesus made a way for us to be rescued from sin and death while making a way for us to commune and fellowship with God. It seems to be our default setting as believers to receive that wonderful news and trust in Christ’s work on the cross to bridge the gap between us and God and then from there to simply begin to build up a religion of good works and lists and rules as a means of living out our faith. But the reality is, Jesus has made a way for us to step into deep relationship with God Himself as Jesus did. We do this through prayer.
Jesus didn’t pray to God simply as a way to get things He needed to live on earth. He sought fellowship because of the oneness between them. The beauty of communion with the Father. To use prayer the way we often do, I wonder if it would seem tragic to Jesus, accepting His great sacrifice for salvation and then neglecting the beautiful relationship with God He made available to use by His death.
Here is an excellent article on Jesus’s reasons for praying. REASONS WHY JESUS PRAYED
But as we look at the example Jesus set before us by His necessity and frequency of prayer, as we look at why He prayed and what He sought from His Father, let it shape our prayers.
Have you seen prayer simply as a tool to have God meet a need you can’t meet on your own?
Do you go to prayer as the last resort?
Is prayer a time for you to negotiate with God?
Do you find you go a day or more without prayer?
I mentioned I’ve been learning a lot about prayer in this past year. Here are some observations I’ve made.
Prayer is a conversation with an all-powerful, all-loving God who invites me to speak with Him.
Prayer is where I commune with my Father.
Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.
Prayer is where I listen for His guidance and will in my life.
Psalm 31:3: Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Prayer is where I give God my burdens.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Prayer is a fancy or different word for conversing with God. Do you talk with God? Or do you just go to Him and tell Him you need something and then go your way? Let me tell you what I mean…
Last night, I was really tired. It was around 9:30PM and the young ones had already gone to bed. My older two came in and plopped down on the bed and we chatted and laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. There was a time not so long ago that these two would come to me and say, “Mom, I just love you.” I would say, “What do you want? Why are you buttering me up?” They would usually laugh and initially deny it, feigning offense at my accusation before getting down to what they wanted.
But they are growing up. And to my great delight, they enjoy my company. Last night they wanted to just be with me. In my heart, I took time thanking God for such a moment.
You know what? I want God to say of me, “To my great delight, Tammy enjoys My company.”
Because of a deeper understanding of prayer, I have seen God in greater ways.
- I’ve seen His intimate attention to the details of my life.
- I’ve seen His power on display around me.
- I’ve seen His mercy and grace poured out when I confess my sin.
- I’ve seen His heart for a dying world.
- I’ve seen prayer change my heart and mind.
- I’ve seen prayer move mountains.
- I’ve developed His heart and concern for others.
I could go on. I really could.
So maybe you’re feeling God tugging at your heart to go deeper with Him in prayer but you don’t know where to begin.
Well, would you believe I’m going to suggest you begin with prayer?
Pray and ask God,
“God would you reveal to me any misconceptions I have about prayer?”
“God would you give me a greater desire and hunger for prayer?”
“God would you please take me deeper in my understanding of prayer?”
He will do it!
I want to suggest another resource to help you develop a devoted time to prayer and quiet time with the Lord. It’s a book called, “He Restores My Soul” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. I went through it a while back and it helped me to transition from a “asking checklist” to a “two-way conversation” with God. No, I did not hear God audibly. The author simple encourages meditating on scripture, journaling, and listening. – powerful tools in prayer.
Friend, I hope you’ll ask God to take you deeper in prayer today. I have been amazed at how faithful God is to give us His good gifts. He has deepened my hunger for more of Him in my thoughts, my family, my life, my community and the world. And I am forever changed!
“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.” – Soren Kierkegaard
Tina Kimble - Thank you!