21 Days of Prayer: Day 15 - Kjell & Vivian Johanson
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“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:7-8 (ESV)
George Müller would sometimes spend over 6 hours in prayer a day. He would pray in the morning or walk through the park with his bible in hand. He is famous for having his prayers being answered, raising over $1.5 million dollars, and opening five orphanages with that money. He often times would be praying because he had a need and God was faithful to provide. Müller was very meticulous in recording every need that God met and even would pray after the need was met to thank God. He created such a habit of prayer in his life that it impacted many around him and continues to impact many, even to this day, years after he passed away. His habit of prayer was not grounded in fancy words or long prayers with God but simple prayers that reflected his faith and trust in the Lord.
When my kids were little, they often had prayers that were very important to them but not very complex. They would pray for their pet or a test at school. Now hearing the prayers of my grandkids, it’s just the same. Jesus said in Luke 18:16, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” I believe what God is saying here is children have simple faith. They know God, and even if they don’t have many words, that’s not the point. They know exactly what to say.
If we are ever wondering, “How should we pray?” The answer is clear in Matthew 6. Before telling us how to pray, it first tells us very clearly how not to pray. We do not need to be heaping up empty phrases or use lots of words. The truth is God knows our hearts better than we do. We also don’t have to try to impress God. He loves us and is eager to be in conversation with Him. Sometimes we hold back and are fearful of talking with God, maybe because we don’t want to say the wrong thing. If God already knows your heart, there is nothing to be afraid of. You don’t have to have all the exact words to pray or sound a specific way; you just need to keep it simple and talk with God.
Müller was great at praying simple prayers, and he would also pray about everything. In Philippians 4:6-7, it reads, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Not only should we be praying about literally everything, but God will provide peace that surpasses all understanding for us. That means the more I pray about everything, the less it has to make sense, because I know that God is in control, and He has it. The question then, is do I trust God enough to pray about everything? Are you holding back areas of your life from the Lord because you think you can control them? I think this is where we make it more complicated than it needs to be. Pray simple prayers. Pray about everything. Let God’s peace pass over you and guard your hearts and minds. Spend some time right now just talking to God. Keep it simple. Let Him into every area and when He answers your prayer, write it down. Don’t forget of God’s goodness. That has been such a big help to me over the years, to write down what God has done. When I get discouraged or forget, I can always look back and be reminded. This helps keep me in awe of God and continuing to have a daily conversation with Him.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.