What is a “serious” prayer and why is it important?

My husband sent this to me recently. It’s from Max Lucado.

I thought I would share it with you.

“A father was teaching his three-year-old daughter the Lord’s Prayer. She would repeat the lines after him. Finally, she decided to go solo.

She carefully enunciated each word, right up to the end of the prayer. “Lead us not into temptation,” she prayed, “but deliver us from e-mail.”

Not a bad prayer!

That got me to thinking about prayer, my favorite subject to study and think about. At times, I find myself praying way too general. It’s safer. But we need to pray for explicit needs when we become aware of them.

We need to pray specifically about those circumstances and people that need our prayers. We pray the particulars.

God calls us to pray about everything! Nothing is too trivial. If it’s important to us, it’s important to God.

If someone asks me to pray for them I pray as they request. But I can pray better for them when I know some of the specifics assuming they feel free to share them with me. The same goes for when I ask someone to pray for me. The more specific I can be, the better able they are to pray as well.

When we offer specific requests, God knows we are serious as well.

When the wedding ran low on wine, Mary wasn’t content to say, “Help us, Jesus.” She was specific. She said, “They have no more wine” (John 2:3 NIV).

If I say to you, “Do you mind if I come over sometime to talk to you”, you may not take me as seriously as if I were to say, “Can I come over this Friday night? I need to talk to you”.

A specific prayer is a serious prayer.

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And, here’s the big take away. It’s easier to know when our prayers are answered.

If I pray, “God, help me be more patient today, that’s pretty general.

But if I pray”God, help me to be more patient with “Mary”, that’s something I can track a lot easier.

Don’t be afraid to pray the specifics. And be ready for the answers.

God bless and have a great day.

Rebecca

Hi. I'm so glad you're here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic low moods that don't qualify as depression.) I post DIY and decorating projects when I can. My book, "Depression Has A Big Voice. Make Yours Bigger! (Expanded Edition), is on sale at all online retailers. I have a Psychology degree and post-graduate courses in Clinical Pastoral Education. I am a former hospital chaplain, Bible teacher, and retreat/conference inspirational speaker. Thank you for visiting and may you feel God's presence today.

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