Reporting to the Commander in Chief

In my last post, I wrote about the importance of staying connected to (abiding in) Jesus. The two primary ways we do so are prayer and scripture. In that previous post, I discussed the use of scripture in some detail, but now, Christian soldier, let's turn our attention to prayer.

What is the best source of information about prayer? Let's ask our Commander-in-Chief for marching orders. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus addresses prayer:

"⁵ “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
⁸ “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

This treatise on prayer is, of course, part of the Sermon on the Mount, the most eloquent sermon on how to live to the glory of God ever given. Jesus tells us, "When you pray." He doesn't say, "If you pray," or, "You might consider praying." It is clear that we are expected to pray. How can we have a relationship with the Living God, if we don't talk to Him?

The word translated "pray" in this passage comes from the Greek " προς with, and ευχη a vow, because to pray right, a man binds himself to God, as by a vow, to live to his glory, if he will grant him his grace, signifies to pour out prayers or vows, from ευ well, and χεω, I pour out; probably alluding to the offerings or libations which were poured out before, or on the altar. A proper idea of prayer is, a pouring out of the soul unto God, as a free-will offering, solemnly and eternally dedicated to him, accompanied with the most earnest desire that it may know, love, and serve him alone." (Source)

In human relationships, we call this kind of "pouring out" intimacy; we open ourselves and are transparent and vulnerable before another human being. I believe the description of prayer in the paragraph above captures the essence of the intimacy that Christ intends for us to have with Him. He wants us to pour out our souls to Him, in the expectation that He will hear us and be moved to compassion for our desires.

Jesus goes on to tell us that the prayers of "the hypocrites" (Pharisees) are all a lot of show before men. The Jewish phylacterical prayers were long and to be delivered at the canonical hours no matter where one might be. The Pharisees "contrived to be overtaken in the streets by the canonical hour, that they might be seen by the people, and applauded for their great and conscientious piety." (Source) Jesus tells us that prayer is not about reciting liturgy (performance), but about having the most intimate intercourse with God (relationship). He tells us to go into our closet (seek solitude) and pray to the Father in secret, the only way that intimacy can be fully realized. The Father will reward this focused intimacy openly.

In addition to secrecy and intimacy, God desires for our prayers to be sincere. In other words, we art to talk to God as we would to a trusted human confidante. Flowery words and long drawn out or rehearsed prayers are not what God wants. He wants to hear from us, in the vernacular, the desires of our hearts. The fact is that God already knows what we need, but as a dear uncle of mine used to tell me, "Anything worth having is worth asking for."

I will develop this discussion further, but for now, Christian soldier, remember that your Commander-in-Chief wants you to report in to Him, frequently. Paul tells us to "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Go to the CIC's office (your prayer closet, physical or figurative) regularly throughout the day, and give Him an update on what is on your heart and mind. Let Him know how the battle is going; whether you need reinforcements; report on casualties (physical, emotional or spiritual); request supplies. Oh, yes! And don't forget to praise Him for who He is and what He does. For His is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen!