Jesus talks about prayer in Matthew 6:5-13.  In verse 6, He says,

“But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly.  Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. 6:6

Jesus tells us that prayer is a private activity, an expression of intimacy between the believer and God, our Father.  Our relationship with God is only as healthy and vital as our prayer life has enabled it to become.  Our personal prayer life is as important as our public service life.

John Maxwell, in his book, Partners in Prayer quotes C. Neil Strait who says,

“Prayer is...talking with God and telling him you love him...conversing with God about all the things that are important in life, both large and small, and being assured that He is listening.” (pg.15)

Jesus goes on to tell us in Matthew 7:7- 11,

“Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.  Keep on looking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  Everyone who asks receives; everyone who seeks finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

Jesus says, keep on asking, and you will be given.  Why does Jesus tell us to be persistent in our prayers?  Is it that God does not hear us on the first go around, or is there some other thing?  The heart of the matter is that God does not need time to acknowledge your request; what is needed is that you examine your request and your motives for making the request.  We are responsible to God for building the Kingdom of God through our service and the fulfillment of the Great Commission.   Two questions that may help examine your intent and motivation in praying:

• Is my prayer in line with the will of God for my life?

• Does my prayer promote intimacy with God or is it a request for something that will distract me from a healthy relationship with God?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash