MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PRAYER

Prayer is hard work. And there are several reasons for it. Firstly, we are not naturally inclined to surrender and declare dependence. Well, praying is precisely that it is begging. It is a Christian as a child going before God the Father and acknowledging inability while affirming God’s ability. Secondly, we like doing tangible, visible things about our situations and prayer does not in our mind seem like doing something about issues. Thirdly, we complicate prayer. We have turned prayer into some mechanical and at times overly technical act that is rehearsed and repeated without much thought or meaning. These and many other issues compound to form all sorts of misconceptions about prayer. In preparing to preach a sermon on prayer, I asked people to share some misconceptions about prayer that they have come across. Here is the list with some brief explanations.

1.      Prayer should be formal & full of memorised phrases

We should not mistake reverence for formality. Yes, you can have a prayer in a formal meeting, but we should not treat God like He is a God of the elite. And yes in a conversation we often repeat words and phrases, but we should not mistake the memorisation of poems, other people’s prayers and theological terms for piety. Praying is talking to God, and that is in the language that you ordinarily use. 

2.      We must give long prayers

In line with the formalisation of prayers is the notion that the longer the prayer, the more spiritual you are. It is not sinning to give long prayers, but it is not a mark of spirituality either. Have you heard the story of the brother who was asked to give thanks for the food and went on to wax eloquently about persecuted Christians and missionaries on the mission field! 

3.      Focus on the posture

Whether you sit, stand, knee or sleep, your position does not enhance your prayer. 

4.      That we can command God or give permission

There is a breed of theology that struggles with a dependence that they turned prayer into an act of giving God permission to do something in your life. This level of arrogance is alarming. 

5.      You have to speak in tongues to pray

God can hear whatever language you speak. And besides, the Spirit gives gifts to whom He pleases. 

6.      The louder you are, the more powerful the prayer

God does not have a hearing problem, but you might after you are done! 

7.      You have to close your eyes

We are not commanded to close our eyes, but it may be prudent. 

8.       A fellow man can be your advocate

There is only one mediator and advocate, and that is the man Jesus. Though we are to pray for one another. 

9.      You need to have a sensational feeling for the prayer to be heard or effective

We are a generation driven by emotions. Prayer is talking with our God, and yes, it involves the mind, will and desire but that does not mean that every time you pray you to feel a sensation. 

10.  That prayer is just for asking for material things.

Or that prayer is all about asking. Have you had a relationship where every time the person is talking to you, they are asking for something? Dear Christian, we have spiritual as well as physical needs, we should have a balance in our conversations with God.

The list of misconceptions could go on as they are many. My point in all this is that the more complicated we make prayer, the harder it becomes and the less enjoyed it becomes. Let us learn from the simplicity and honesty of the Psalmists in their conversations with God.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:14-16