What Is Prayer?

“That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from the small to the large…” Mark 11:24 MSG

I’ve grown up with a real mixed bag of religions. My mother was Catholic– so she had me baptized shortly after birth and when I began to show real interest in religion she took me to Confirmation class and through CCD. My nanny was Baptist. She brought me to church every time the doors where open if my parents were out of town…I learned hellfire and brimstone and that repenting and believing was the only way to Heaven. I grew up, got married, and we tried several churches for varying lengths of time: Presbyterian, Methodist, and finally began attending a non-denominational church where they taught the Bible and I learned to understand a lot more about where all these congregations differ and how very much alike many of them are. But at the end of it all I realized what was most important was my RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.

As with any relationship, conversation and communication is key. With God, that conversation is called prayer. Growing up with so many influences on my faith had me a bit confused about what prayer should look like, so I just figured I’d start talkin’ to God. I’d talk to Him as I walked to my bus stop. While I rode my horse. While I was blackberry picking by the creek. And almost the entire bus ride home from school.

Some of my church experiences led me to believe that God only wanted to hear about our big problems. Some teachers told me it was selfish to come to him with the things I wanted. Others told me God was mighty busy and didn’t want to hear all my jibberish– so I should just recite the “approved” prayers and get on with my life.

But they were all wrong.

God does care. In fact, He is the most caring, loving, overprotective Father there is. He wants to hear ALL about everything in our lives, in our hearts, on our minds. Go to Him. He loves it when we talk to Him!

My prayer life doesn’t always look so neat and tidy. I pray when I’m in the shower. While I run. With the kiddos. When I cook. As I’m driving. And usually I fall asleep praying. Sometimes I’m talking. Other times I’m pleading. Plenty of times I’m frustrated, and there have been times I am downright angry. But having kids has taught me so much about what a loving parent desires in communication– and while I don’t really enjoy hearing my kids mad with me– as long as they are still talking TO me, I know we can work things through.

So today, just remember, you have a loving Heavenly Father who wants to hear from you. He wants to talk with you. He’s ready to answer and work on your behalf and He will bring you peace even if the answer doesn’t follow quickly.  So pray. Pray about everything, large or small. And grow in your faith and peace as you do.