"Pray and Trust"

Let's see if I can make a little sense of prayer. People sometimes seem to get into great theological discussions about it which really does not help except talk in ways and words that confuse. There is something simple about prayer yet there is nothing simple about prayer. Did I just confuse us????

Jesus knows every aspect of prayer, the difficult questions we want to ask and all He urged people to do is prayer and not quit (Luke 18:1). There may be many thoughts and questions surrounding the passage but one thing is clear, persistent prayer. Paul encouraged the young Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing." (I Thes. 5:17) God hears the prayers of His children and responds (I Pet. 3:12) and His children pray.

Where should we begin to our understanding of prayer? One simple thing: Trust in the Father to whom we pray! Do not trust your understanding or trying to figure something out. Just trust the Father. God's ways are greater than ours and many speak of God's mysterious ways as if He is allusive from us. All talk like that just discourages prayer. God made Himself known in Jesus Christ. Just read your Bible and see that looking at Jesus, that gives us ground to trust God! I realize God is too grand to be fully grasp but when you look at Jesus, you see God. Trust Him even when you don't understand. Didn't we do that with our parents growing up? The same with God. It was Jesus who said we should be converted and become like children (Matt. 18:1-4).

Many times we don't know how to pray, what to ask for. Here is the greatness of God. He still knows what you need. That's what Romans 8:26-27 teach us. The Spirit of God who dwells in us intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. When we hurt, our souls are disturbed and feel the world caving in, if you're in Christ and trusting in the Father, there is intercessions going up on your behalf when you don't know what to ask for. That should create a deeper sense of trust in the Father. We aren't left alone just to fend for ourselves. Trust the Father to whom you pray!

Prayer is the only one expression of the rich and complex relationship we have with God. Prayer is vital to our spiritual well being. Do not allow anxieties and fears dominate your life to hinder your relationship. Cast your anxieties on Him because God cares deeply for you (I Pet. 5:7). He knows your need and the answer to your life. Pray! Trust! God already knows the end and it is impossible for Him to be unrighteous! Trust the Father!