The Power in Simple Prayers

 

Have you ever said to yourself, I wish I knew how to pray? Perhaps you have told someone when asked to pray, that you don’t know how? Everyone who grew up in church knows what it is like to be in Sunday School or a Bible study and when it’s time to pray, everyone immediately looks down as the leader is looking for someone to call on to pray and that is when you have no problem praying, “Lord, please don’t let them pick me!”

It’s one thing to pray when it’s just you and God, but to be asked to pray in front of a group can be quite daunting. It’s the familiar moment when heat rises in your body, your face feels all flush, your heart is about to pound out of your chest and you pray for God not to let you faint in that moment until you experience great relief when you hear them call out someone else’s name. It is only then that you realize you were holding your breath the whole time and gasp to catch a breath after the ordeal. I know there are those who can relate.

Why is this an epidemic among Christians? If we were raised in church, why weren’t we taught when we were young how to pray with others so that when we became adults, we would know how and not be nervous? I didn’t learn how to pray out loud with others until I was 50 years old! I’ve been in church since I was born! What’s very sad is that I didn’t learn how to pray in church. I’m so eternally grateful and proud to say that my husband taught me how.

 

Keeping it real. My story.

From the time we got married in 2001, I was 37 and he was 57, my husband made it a routine for us to pray together before we went to bed every night. It was not the first marriage for either of us and had both determined in our minds that we were going to get this one right, keeping God in the center of our marriage. No matter what kind of day we had or if we were on a trip somewhere, it was always the last thing we did before going to sleep. We weren’t perfect by any means. God worked on both of us all day every day, as He does all of us, pruning and refining us into who He created us to be. God knew our hearts and He knew we were trying to get it right.

We were both in a small group Bible study in 2014 that we felt lead to be co—leaders and in that role we were required to pray with the participants. It was a really big deal for me because I had never prayed with anyone before, ever! I had awkward moments when I was called on maybe a handful of times in a group setting and thought I would die in that moment, but never willingly and intentionally. God was calling me higher and I knew it was time. It was then that my beautiful husband said, it’s time for you to pray with me for practice. I was mortified! I thought to myself, “if I can’t pray with my beloved, I have real problems.” So I took a deep breath and asked God to help me pray. I actually lived through the moment. From then on, my husband and I took turns each night praying. I would highly recommend that for all marriages. It will certainly solidify your relationship with God and each other.

When my husband became too sick to pray in his last days, I was honored to take the lead and pray him into Jesus arms.

 

How NOT to pray

I remember during the time I was learning how to pray with my husband, I became more observant of others when they prayed. I noticed various styles, lengths, flair, and boring ones. I’ll never forget being in church one day hearing a former pastor praying over us. His prayer was so beautifully fluent and seemed to be spoken with such passion that I had to open my eyes and watch him pray. I recall asking God in that moment, “will you teach me how to pray like that?”

Later in my prayer time alone with God I repeated that same request and He answered me. I didn’t get the answer I was expecting. God doesn’t always answer us immediately, but there are times when it’s necessary.  In that moment of repeated conversational request, He responded, and said, “NO.” It was as if it was an audible voice, but it wasn’t. It was in my spirit but loud enough in my spirit that there was no mistaking it. So I said, “why?” I knew He had a good reason and I wanted to hear it. He said, “that’s not how I want you to pray.” Then He lead me to scripture.

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners, so that people can see them. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already! Matthew 6:5

Now, I’m not saying that the pastor was a hypocrite. God was clearly telling me here that wasn’t how He wanted me to pray. He continued to show me that our prayers are not for “show” they are for “purpose.” They don’t have to be impressive, long prayers giving specific instructions for what we need God to do.  God knows what we need before we pray.

“And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot. Don’t be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8

 

Why you shouldn’t pray long detailed prayers.

Did you know that when you pray specifics telling God what you need and how you want it done, that you could be praying against God’s will? In my prayer time learning this lesson, God taught me so much about prayer.

“Trust in Adonai with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We cannot see what God is doing behind the scenes and what He has planned for each of us. When we pray specifics and tell God exactly what needs to be done and how to do it, we could quite possibly be praying against what He is doing that we are not aware of. As an example, if you are praying for God to give you a specific job. He may not want you to have that job. Praying for a specific house you want. He may not want you in that house. Praying for God to heal someone. God may want to take them home to Heaven.

We can’t know what He is doing behind the scenes, so praying specifics could be praying against His will and setting yourself up for disappointment. When your prayers aren’t answered the way you specifically pray them, it’s because He has another plan; it’s not because He doesn’t hear your or love you. On the contrary, it’s because He loves you that He often doesn’t answer your prayers the way you want.

Let Jesus inspire you. He often said that He could only speak what His Father speaks. (John 12:49) We should do the same. Observe.

You will notice in the study of His ministry in the Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), that He uses simple prayers when talking to His Heavenly Father. He doesn’t complicate the process or say things to impress those who are listening. This was another reason the Pharisees didn’t think He was the Messiah, because He wasn’t fancy in any way, shape, or form.

Here’s are some examples of how to pray simply with faith like Jesus.

• “Be cleansed.” Matthew 8:3
• “Go let it be for you as you have trusted.” Matthew 8:13
• He touched her hand. Matthew 8:15
• He expelled the spirits with a “word” and healed all who were ill. Matthew 8:16
• “Go.” Matthew 9:32
• “Your sins are forgiven. Get up, pick up your mattress and go home.” Matthew 9:2,6
• “Your trust has healed you.” Matthew 9:22
• “Let it happen to you according to your trust.” Matthew 9:29

Jesus has given His disciples (all His followers) authority to drive out unclean spirits and heal every kind of disease and weakness.  (Matthew 10:1) Before He ascended into Heaven He said that we would do more miracles than He did. (John 14:12)

He is our example. Keep it simple and walk in faith. We have the authority to pray and heal. We don’t have to worry about what to say because He will speak for us. All we have to do is be His vessel.

 

What to do when you pray

When you are in need of help from God, go to a private place and talk to Him. He loves to converse with His children. You don’t have to say fancy prayers to talk to Him; just be yourself.  Be like Jesus and keep it simple.

If you want to know how to pray, ask the Holy Spirit. He will teach you.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

“As for you, the Messianic anointing you received from the Father remains in you, so that you have no need for anyone to teach you. On the contrary, as his Messianic anointing continues to teach you about all things, and is true, not a counterfeit, so, just as he taught you, remain united with him.” 1 John 2:27

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, just ask Him. (Jeremiah 33:3)

In that same conversation with God about how He wanted me to pray, He told me to keep it simple. I said, “ok, I like simple. What do you want me to do?” He reminded me of the importance of The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9), but He specifically told me to pray Numbers 6:24. I looked it up and it’s part of the Aaronic Priestly Blessing.

24: ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you.
25: May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
26: May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ Numbers 6:24-26

In verse 27, He says that when that prayer is spoken He will bless them. I believe He will do what He says He will do. This simple prayer covers everything and allows God to do His will through it. Remember, He always knows what you need, you don’t have to state it, or state and repeat, and repeat, and repeat. Keep it simple and let Him do what He is going to do. His ways are higher than our ways and always better that our plans.

I have been praying that prayer every night since 2014, and pray it over everyone who asks for prayer from me. I believe that He hears that prayer and blesses those being prayed for. By praying His prayers, you can rest assured that you are not praying against His will.

 

How to pray with others

When you are in a situation when you need to pray with others one-on-one or in a group, ask God beforehand to give you the words to say. The Holy Spirit is with you and will speak through you.

“Adonai answered him, “Who gives a person a mouth? Who makes a person dumb or deaf, keen-sighted or blind? Isn’t it I, Adonai?” Exodus 4:11

“When the time comes, the Ruach HaKodesh will teach you what you need to say.” Luke 12:12

“For I myself will give you an eloquence and a wisdom that no adversary will be able to resist or refute.” Luke 21:15

I will never forget the first huge opportunity God gave me to test my faith in Him to speak through me in a prayer situation. I have a friend that at the time, many years ago, her husband was dying and she called me up out of the blue one day and asked if I would come pray with her. I immediately thought, “why in the world would she ask me?!?” It wasn’t like I was known for doing that, in fact, I had never done it! It was my first time to pray with anyone one-on-one and it was a doozie, for a dying spouse!  I was scared to death.

I told her yes, then hung up and said, “God I don’t want to mess this up, please help me.” I didn’t know if she expected my prayers to save her husband, or if she just needed comfort. I had no idea what her expectations were. I was scared but knew that God was sending me out on a mission and I had to trust Him. My husband prayed with me before I went, and I took my Bible and went down to her house. We sat out on the back porch while she vented. When it was time, I prayed under my breath for God to speak through me. I trusted Him to do what He said He would and I opened my mouth; He spoke. I have no idea what He said, but whatever it was, it was what she needed. She was comforted in that moment.

Trust Him in those moments. It’s not about you. It’s about being a vessel for Him so He can help others.

 

What did Jesus teach the disciples about prayer?

It is not uncommon for new believers or even seasoned believers in Jesus to say that they don’t know how to pray. As with anything, you don’t know until you are taught. In Jesus’ ministry on earth, He was so full of love, grace, and mercy. He patiently taught His disciples many things, and oftentimes had to repeat Himself because they still didn’t understand. Jesus is patient with us like that as well.

The disciples even asked Jesus how to pray. They knew how the Pharisees prayed, they wanted to know what He suggested. Even though they saw Him simply pray over others, they asked directly to get clarification. Jesus didn’t teach them some fancy long prayer; He taught them an effective one.

Matthew 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven! May your Name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us the food we need today.
Forgive us what we have done wrong,
as we too have forgiven those who have wronged us.
And do not lead us into hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.

Amen

I memorized this prayer many years ago but never really understood the power in it until recently. Just like the Aaronic Priestly Blessings prayer in Numbers 6, both of these prayers are powerful and are in line with what God is doing that we can’t see. All we have to do is memorize them and pray them with complete faith and trust that God will do what He says He will do.

You may not have noticed before but the next time you watch a faith based movie, see if they pray The Lord’s Prayer. Whenever there is a need, someone is sick, or dying, this prayer is prayed and God hears it. There is nothing in it that can contradict His will.

 

In summary,

I encourage you to memorize these prayers and use them often when praying. They were given to us for a reason; they are effective.

In the chaos of our world and living in the end-times it can be scary for unbelievers, and even some believers. If you don’t know how to pray during this time of uncertainty, pray Numbers 6:24-26, and Matthew 6:9-13. They will give you comfort, I promise.

 

May God bless you and keep you.