Beloved First Baptist,
I have been reading Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone by James Martin, which is wonderful! The book begins with a simple question: If most of us desire a close relationship with God, and if prayer is one of the primary ways we connect with God, why do so many of us struggle to pray regularly? Martin discusses the many reasons we don’t pray.
For some, prayer feels unfamiliar because no one ever taught them how to pray. But prayer does not require special words or expertise. At its heart, prayer is simply a conversation with God. While we can certainly grow in our understanding and practice of prayer, anyone can begin by speaking honestly with God.
Others may feel that prayer is reserved for especially holy or spiritual people. The good news of the gospel is that God’s invitation into relationship is not based on our merits, but God’s love and grace. So, we don’t have to worry about our holiness.
Sometimes we avoid prayer because it feels as though nothing happens. Prayer can seem uneventful or even boring. Because of this, we sometimes abandon prayer before we have had the opportunity to discover its deeper gifts.
I have also heard people say, “God already knows what I’m thinking, so why should I pray?” But prayer is not simply about informing God of our thoughts and needs. Prayer is about relationship. Just as a loving friend or spouse wants to listen to us, God welcomes our joys, concerns, questions and hopes. At the same time, prayer is not only speaking to God- it is also listening. We may discover that God has something to say to us!
Martin also notes that sometimes we don’t pray because we are lazy. We allow the busyness of life or time drains, like social media, to crowd out prayer. We intend to pray, but other things take its place.
For others, prayer can be frightening. We may worry that God will ask us to change something we would rather leave alone – a habit, an attitude, or a relationship. But if we truly believe that God is good and that “God is love,” as we are told in 1 John, then we can trust that whatever God calls us to do is ultimately for our good and flourishing.
As I reflected on all this, I found myself asking why I sometimes neglect prayer. More often than not, for me, it comes down to a lack of discipline- what Martin calls laziness! If I don’t pray at my set time, which is the morning, then the day gets away from me. Having a morning prayer time helps me stay grounded in God’s presence throughout the day.
What keeps you from praying more regularly? Whatever your answer, remember that prayer is not about getting it right; it is about spending time with the One who loves you.
Carol McEntyre, Senior Minister