Let Us Pray

While in the Navy, I had the opportunity to be in attendance at several formal functions, like pass-in-review, change of command, and others. During these events, a Chaplin would always give an invocation (secular prayer) before the frivolities began. The preparatory command “let us” would be given to let us know that the command “pray” was coming, in which we would, in unison, bow our heads. At the end of this little speech, the Chaplin would say, “Amen,” in which we again in unison raise our heads. With my whole battalion, six hundred strong, wearing our dress whites, standing in formation with metals gleaming in the sun, it is an impressive sight. It looks good when so many people move in unison with one another, even if it is as simple as bowing our heads. There are several things not shown in this performance, such as the training that went into it, the instructions on the movement itself, and the reassuring of the irreligious in that whether or not they believed in God, they were going to do this or else. It was for show and we all knew it. It is a tradition from times past, when our Creator was honored before any hero that we might have what was. The fact is that this is not far from what some Christians do in worship to God. A man stands up and says “lets us pray,” and we all bow our heads, then a few moments later, rouse ourselves out of a daze that we have fallen into when the “Amen” is said. Whether in public prayer or private, do we realize what and why we are doing what we are doing? Is it a mere tradition or are we focused on speaking to the God and Father of all?

Why We Pray

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thes. 5:18). First and foremost, we should be thankful to God when we go to Him in prayer. Much of the time spent talking to God is directed at what we want God to do for us, but we need to stop and remember what He has already done. From prayers that have been answered to sending His son to die for us, we should dedicate a large portion of our time spent in prayer remembering all that He has done for us. If we do this it will help us to consider how much we truly need Him. Repentance should also be an important part of our prayer life. Just as it was necessary for Simon “the sorcerer” to repent after he had already been saved for his sins (Acts 8:22), it is necessary for us to do this as well. We can and should pray for our needs, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11), that we might not be lead into temptation (Mt. 6:13), and even for our enemies (Mt. 5:44). One of the best examples for why we pray is Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” We must also be willing to turn ourselves over to Him, surrendering our own wills for His. If Christ prayed “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10), there is no doubt that we should as well.

How We Pray

At the end of a prayer, we might hear or say if we are the one praying, “In Christ’s name, Amen.” It is rightly so that Christ’s name is evoked when speaking to God, but this is not just some formula that we use so we can feel okay about ourselves because we prayed a prayer the “right way.” Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (Jn. 14:13-14). This is more than saying Jesus’ name and poof that our prayers are answered. If that was the case, every person that asked for anything at all would have it, even if it was an immoral request. It would be like expecting God to grant a wish to fornicate with another’s spouse just because we closed our prayer, “In Jesus’ name.” What praying in the name of Christ means is that it is done so in the manor that He authorizes, just as we find in Colossians 3:17. In the name of Christ, rightly implies that He is the only way to God (Jn. 14:6). We pray greedily sometimes asking amiss for the things that we desire, not considering God’s will for us. We are told what to pray for and given many examples of faithful followers of God who had their prayers answered. If we follow the examples that are contained in the Scriptures, God will surely answer our prayers. We must also have faith that God will answer our prayers. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ‘And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses’” (Mk. 11:24-26).

When We Pray

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Mt. 6:5-8). There are two types of prayers, those that are done in a pubic assembly, and those that are done in private. Those done in public are to be lead by men (1 Tim. 2:8, 12). This does not mean that those done in the privacy of one’s home with family may be lead by women. The man is to be the head of the family (Eph. 5:23). This implies that he is the spiritual head as well, and out to lead as God intends. Private prayers are to be just that, private. They are not meant to be heard by any but God through Christ. The problem that some get into is in the realm of the public prayer. Prayers are to be all of the things that we disused whether public or private. The one thing that we must remember with public prayers is not that there are others listening, but that we are praying on the behalf of others as well as ourselves. Public prayers do not have to be eternal to be heard by the eternal God. They should take into consideration that God knows all the things that we need before we voice them (Mt. 6:32). Public prayers should be situationally appropriate. When praying over the fruit of the vine or unleavened bread, it is not necessary, and in fact inappropriate to pray for little Johnny’s ingrown toenail. Neither should we add fillers to the prayer just because we think that it might not be long enough. The tax collector of Luke 18 was justified in his short prayer, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”