1st August 2024
What is prayer?
This is the 18th in a series of studies on the subject of prayer
‘Lord, teach us to pray…’
Luke 11:1 (NIVUK)
We have been looking at the topic of prayer for many weeks so it’s a good time to stop, take stock, and ask ourselves the questions, ‘What is prayer?’, ‘Am I on the right track?’ If you were to ask people for a definition of prayer you will probably get a variety of answers. I’ve heard people say things like ‘prayer is talking with God’, ‘prayer is asking God for what we need’, or ‘prayer is telling God how much we love him’. I rather like Teresa of Avila’s comments on prayer: ‘…prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God’.1
Each of these definitions is part of what prayer is. As we grow in our relationship with God, we get to know him and appreciate him for who he is. We also get to know his perspective and purposes for our lives.
Allan Harkness, a lecturer at Trinity Theological College in Singapore, puts it this way – prayer is:
- An expression of faith – because when we pray, we are saying to God, we trust you with our lives. We want to know and understand more of you and your ways. We are ready to learn
- An expression of love – because when we pray, we are saying to God it’s because you love us that we are able to love you and submit our lives to your will. We are ready for you to tell us what to do.
- An expression of discipleship – because when we pray, we are saying to God, just as Jesus initiated the reign of your kingdom in our world so we want to be a part of that and see your will done. We are ready to be involved in expanding your kingdom. 2
As we continue our journey of prayer let’s bring our faith, love and discipleship to our Father, through Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, and see him take our humble offerings to do great things.
Prayer
Loving Father, please continually teach us how to pray; speak Lord for your servant is listening. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
1 Teresa de Ávila Quotes (Author of Interior Castle) (goodreads.com)
2 Allan Harkness, Ready to Grow: Practical steps to know God better, P. 74.
About the writer:
Barry Robinson is a minister in Grace Communion International and Regional Pastor for Southern England, the Midlands, and Wales
Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA
Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm
Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church