IN the simplest of terms, prayer is communication between you and your heavenly Father. The primary purpose of communication is to establish and maintain a relationship.
BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
What is commonly referred to as the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is an Old Testament prayer. Remember, Jesus operated under the Old Testament because His death, which ratified the New Covenant, had not yet happened.
The kingdom has already come and it is up to us as believers to enforce the will of the Lord on earth as we preach the gospel and draw many into the kingdom. We cannot still be praying for “daily bread” because it is a given. Luke 12:29-32, “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things but rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”
Now we pray kingdom prayers because the expansion of the kingdom is at the heart of God, beyond our individual (and often selfish) prayer requests for material things. As Jesus was praying in the Garden of Eden ahead of his crucifixion, he willingly set aside his own will — that the cross should pass him — and opted rather for the will of God for the salvation of mankind, which was only possible through the cross. Luke 22:44, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
God has a heart for nations, but how often do you pray for your nation as Paul encouraged the Church to do? 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
Paul stresses that this is what we are to pray for first of all —even before you pray for your own “daily bread”. In a country that is in economic relapse like Zimbabwe, it’s actually insensible to pray for a job or more money so that you can pay fees. You need to pray for the nation and its leadership so that they can seize and enforce the will of God. Only then will you be able to live a quite and peaceable life.
James is more blunt — the reason why you don’t get answers to your prayers is because you’re praying the wrong prayers. James 4:2, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.”
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Praying more for own personal needs rather than the kingdom is selfish and lustful, and heaven isn’t too keen to answer such prayers. What is in the heart of God? While you’re busy praying for that house, God is saying, “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30).
When you pray, will you stand in the gap for Zimbabwe? You are probably worked up about the impending introduction of “bond notes” and you have expressed all your fears to your friends, workmates and neighbours. But have you prayed with the same passion we saw in your prayer for that elusive husband, baby or job?
Have you ever thought that when you pray concerning what is in the heart of God — rather than your own personal needs — this may be all it takes to unlock your own miracle? (Matthew 6:33). If you listen to many people’s prayers, you will notice they are filled with fear and doubt, to the point of begging God to do something for them. When you pray, it is important to speak of how awesome God is rather than focus on your problem and rehash or the negative things that may be happening in your life.
In the Lord’s Prayer that we are used to, Jesus said we are to say, “Give us this day our daily bread…” This is not a begging prayer. It is a demand based on grace and the Lord’s goodness. It is not arrogance. It is just like when a child asks for something from their parent. There is familiarity based on love and not disrespect.
Have you ever heard a friend brag that they pray for two, three or even four hours in one go! And you just said to yourself, “Oh God, I haven’t started yet”?
Well, it was typical for the Pharisees to pray very long prayers, and often in public places, but Jesus brought us a new perspective to prayer. In Matthew 6:6-7, he said go into a secret place and pray and God will reward you.
Am I saying do not pray those long prayers that you love? Of course not! I am saying there is no extra credit for extra-long prayers. God looks at the sincerity of the heart and the content of your prayer. You can go through the motions of prayer without really praying.
Prayer is communication that comes from the heart. This is not about taking “a shopping list” to God. I love the way Paul prayed. We will do well to heed his Spirit-inspired prayers throughout his letters.
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