What is prayer? Lifting up words to God? Communion with God?
Is there a difference between praying and saying prayers?
We train our children to pray, which may start as saying prayers, but can transform into a prayer-filled relationship that fulfills the verse that admonishes us to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is as much a lifestyle as an act.
So, should you “fake it till you make it?” What do you do when you don’t know what to pray?
Actor Cary Grant said, “If you don’t have faith, pray anyway. If you don’t understand or believe the words you’re praying, pray anyway. Prayer can start faith, particularly if you pray aloud. And even the most imperfect prayer is an attempt to reach God.” Do you agree? I do!
And one of the ways to pray words that lead you to a deeper faith is to pray using Scripture. Yes, the Spirit interprets the groans we cannot express (Romans 8:28), but we also have the prayers of others that can express what we are unsure how to say.
Here are a few examples from the Psalms:
Troubled? Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.
Grateful to God? Psalm 100
Alone? Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Repentant? Psalm 51
Impatient? Psalm 27:4
Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.