American culture may be the hardest place in the world to learn to pray. We are so busy that when we slow down to pray, it feels terribly uncomfortable. We feel like we should be doing something else, something more important than being in prayer. Why? Because we like to accomplish things. We want to stay connected with others so we constantly check out Facebook, Twitter, texts, and Instagram. We want to be in the know regarding the latest news. But then, there is no chart that records time spent in prayer. Putting the phone on mute and talking exclusively with God is counter-cultural. Pausing to pray does not come naturally to us.
I also am convinced that God speaks to us regularly, but we often cannot hear him because of all the background noise, much of which is of our own creation. Silence in private as well as public worship makes us uneasy.
Frustration with prayer actually can lead to a more meaningful prayer experience. In Luke 11, it seems that at least one of the disciples was dissatisfied with his prayer life. Jesus had gone off to pray, and when he returned, that disciple said, “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples to pray.” Obviously, he felt his prayer life left something to be desired. I am certain Jesus’ heart was warmed with such an honest request. And so Jesus said, “When you pray, say…” and his disciples have been praying that model prayer ever since.
Prayer is time well-spent away from the noise, alone with Jesus, sharing our hearts, bearing the concerns of others, learning to pray as Jesus delights in teaching his disciples to pray. We love to pray with you and for you and to assist you as you pray. Every Monday, the FAS staff gathers to pray over requests sent to us.
I began sharing a prayer with friends a few years ago entitled “Pastor’s Uplift,” which is posted on my Facebook page and sent as a direct email every weekday morning. Let us know your requests, joys, and burdens—and if you would like to receive the “Pastor’s Uplifts.” Contact me at mike.powers@francisasburysociety.com or sign up online here.
Let us pray—with one another and for one another. Let us continue to learn to pray like Jesus. And let us hold fast to the conviction that prayer is time well-spent.