March 10,2023
By Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
Today we will be looking at prayer and praying. Prayer is an integral part of many religious and spiritual practices and has been practiced by humans for centuries. It is a way for individuals to connect with their higher power or divine being and express their hopes, fears, and gratitude. While the concept of prayer may seem simple, it holds a deep significance in the lives of believers and non-believers alike.
Prayer can provide comfort, guidance, and strength during difficult times, and can serve as a tool for personal growth and self-reflection. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of praying and prayer, delving into its various forms, benefits, and cultural and religious contexts.
Defining Prayer
A prayer is a communication or conversation between an individual and a higher power, such as God or a deity, or simply an expression of gratitude, hope, or a request for guidance. It can take many different forms, including verbal, written, or silent communication, and may involve reciting specific texts or rituals or simply speaking from the heart.
For many people, prayer is a profoundly spiritual practice that allows them to connect with a higher power and find comfort, guidance, and strength in difficult times. Additionally, it can be used to express gratitude for blessings and ask for forgiveness for wrongdoing. Prayer is an integral part of many religions and spiritual practices, but it can also be a personal and private practice that's meaningful to individuals regardless of their beliefs.
Defining Praying?
Praying can take many different forms, depending on an individual's beliefs, traditions, and personal preferences. Some people pray silently, while others pray aloud or recite specific texts or prayers. Some may also use physical movements, such as kneeling, bowing, or raising their hands, as part of their prayer practice. For many people, praying is essential to their spiritual life and can bring a sense of peace, comfort, and connection with a higher power. It can also provide a way to reflect on their beliefs, values, and personal goals.
How Should We Pray?
The way we should pray may vary depending on our personal beliefs, traditions, and preferences. Nevertheless, there are some general guidelines that can be followed to make prayer a meaningful and effective practice:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place: Choose a place where you feel relaxed and free from distractions. This will help you to focus your mind and attention on your prayer.
   
2. Set an intention: Before you start praying, set an intention for what you want to communicate or express to the higher power. This could be a request for guidance, gratitude for blessings, or forgiveness for wrongdoing.
   
3. Be sincere: Pray with sincerity and an open heart. Avoid simply reciting words without feeling or meaning.
   
4. Use your own words: It's okay to use specific prayers or texts as a guide, but also use your own words to express your thoughts and feelings.
   
5. Listen: Pay attention to any insights, feelings, or messages you may receive in response to your prayer.
   
6. Be patient: It's important to be patient and trust that the higher power will respond in its own time and way.
   7. Practice regularly: Make prayer a regular practice, whether it's daily, weekly, or as often as it feels right for you. This will help you to develop a deeper connection with the higher power and integrate prayer into your daily life.
   * As you can see there is no definitive answer when it comes to how we should pray. It all depends on personal preferences, religious, spiritual beliefs, and accessibility.
   When Should We Pray?
   The timing of prayer can vary depending on personal beliefs and religious practices. In some religions, prayers are performed multiple times a day, while in others they may be less frequent.
   For many, prayer is a regular part of their daily routine and may be done in the morning, before meals, or before bed. Others may pray when facing challenges or during times of celebration and gratitude.
   In some religions, specific times of the day or week are designated for communal prayer, such as Friday prayers in Islam or Sabbath services in Judaism.
   Ultimately, the decision of when to pray is a personal one and depends on an individual's beliefs and circumstances. Some people find that incorporating prayer into their daily routine, such as upon waking up or before going to bed, helps them establish a consistent practice. Others may choose to pray in times of stress or uncertainty, or during significant life events such as weddings or funerals.
   Regardless of the timing, the act of prayer can provide a sense of peace, comfort, and connection to something greater than oneself.
   *As you can see there is no definitive answer when it comes to where we should pray. It all depends on personal preferences, religious, spiritual beliefs, and accessibility.
   Where Should We Pray?
   The location where people pray can also vary depending on their cultural or religious practices.
   Here are some common examples:
   Christianity: Christians often pray in churches, chapels, or at home.
   Islam: Muslims are encouraged to pray in mosques, but they can also pray anywhere that is clean and free of impurities.
   Judaism: Jewish people can pray in synagogues or at home.
   Hinduism: Hindus may pray in temples or at home altars.
   Buddhism: Buddhists can meditate and pray in temples or at home altars.
   People may choose to pray in natural settings, such as parks or forests, while others may prefer the comfort of their own home. Ultimately, the most important aspect of prayer is one's connection to their faith and spiritual beliefs, regardless of where it takes place. The important factor is being reverent, focused and humbled to the Author and Finisher of your faith.
   *As you can see there is no definitive answer when it comes to where we should pray. It all depends on personal preferences, religious, spiritual beliefs, and accessibility.
   Prayer In The Bible
   Matthew 6:5-8 – “Understanding the Heart of Prayer”
   5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. 7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:5-8)
   Matthew 6:5-8 is a passage from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically from the Gospel of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus is teaching his disciples about prayer.
   Jesus taught his followers to pray privately for several reasons, including:
   1. Avoiding hypocrisy: In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus teaches that praying in public or for show is hypocritical and lacks sincerity. He encourages his followers to pray privately, where their motives and intentions can be genuine.
   2. Personal relationship with God: Jesus emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God, which can be nurtured through private prayer. He encourages his followers to seek God in private and not for the sake of being seen by others.
   3. Avoiding distractions: When we pray in private, we can focus our attention on God without being distracted by the opinions or judgments of others.
   4. Seeking God's guidance: Jesus often retreated to a quiet place to pray, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. He encourages his followers to do the same, to seek God's will and to align their own will with God's.
   In short, Jesus taught his followers to pray privately because it fosters sincerity, intimacy, and focus on God. Jesus did not want his disciples to follow the characteristics of the Pharisees who were notorious for long prayer in the Synagogues and public places.
   Synagogues were religious buildings where large crowds congregated to pray.
   Jesus condemned individuals who prayed loudly merely to be seen and praised by others. Jesus termed such people, hypocrites, most likely referring to the Pharisees. They would even pray aloud in public locations.
   Prayer, according to Jesus, should be a private time between God and the worshipper. It is not inappropriate to pray with others, according to Jesus, but the prayers must be genuine and for the right reasons.
   1 Timothy 2:1 – "Embracing the Power and Importance of Prayer”
   "Let us be men who lift up holy hands in prayer, approaching God with reverence and respect. For it is through prayer that we become vessels of God's peace and love, spreading hope and compassion in a world that desperately needs it."
   - Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr.
   First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, (1 Timothy 2:1).
   The apostle Paul writes to Timothy, instructing him to encourage the church to pray for all people, emphasizing the importance of prayer in the Christian life. In verse 8, he specifically addresses men, urging them to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or quarreling.
   This verse reminds us that prayer is a vital part of our relationship with God, and that it should be approached with reverence and respect. When we come before God in prayer, we should do so with a pure heart and a peaceful mind, free from anger and strife.
   As men, we have a unique responsibility to lead our families and communities in prayer, setting an example of humility and devotion to God. We can do this by prioritizing prayer in our daily lives, making it a habit to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all things.
   At the same time, we must also recognize that prayer is not just for ourselves and our immediate circles. We are called to pray for all people, including those who may be different from us or who we may disagree with. In doing so, we open ourselves up to God's love and compassion, and become vessels of His peace in the world. So let us heed Paul's call to pray, lifting up holy hands in reverence and love, and interceding on behalf of all people, regardless of race, gender, or background. May our prayers be a source of comfort and hope to those in need, and a testimony to God's boundless grace and mercy.
   Luke 18:9-14 – “The Danger of Self-Righteousness”
   Luke 18:9-14 is a parable told by Jesus to illustrate the importance of humility and repentance in prayer:

"9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
The parable describes two men who went up to the temple to pray. The first man, a Pharisee, was a religious leader who was known for his strict observance of the Jewish law. The second man, a tax collector, was despised by many Jews because he collected taxes for the Roman Empire and was often viewed as a traitor. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed a self-righteous prayer, thanking God that he was not like other people, including the tax collector. He boasted about his good deeds, such as fasting twice a week and giving a tenth of all he had.
The tax collector, on the other hand, stood at a distance and beat his chest in a sign of deep remorse and humility. He acknowledged his sinfulness and begged God for mercy.
Jesus concludes the parable by saying that the tax collector went home justified before God, while the Pharisee did not. The reason for this is that the tax collector demonstrated humility and repentance, while the Pharisee demonstrated pride and self-righteousness.
The lesson of this parable is that we should approach God with humility, recognizing our own sinfulness and our need for His mercy. We should not compare ourselves to others or think that we are better than them. Instead, we should focus on our own shortcomings and ask God for forgiveness.
In conclusion, praying and prayer are essential aspects of many religions and belief systems around the world. Prayer is a form of communication with a higher power or deity and is often used to express gratitude, ask for guidance or assistance, and seek forgiveness. Beyond its religious significance, prayer can also be a powerful tool for personal reflection, growth, and well-being.
The practice of praying can help individuals develop a sense of purpose, inner peace, and connection to something larger than themselves. Prayer can also be a means of finding comfort during difficult times and coping with life's challenges.
Regardless of one's religious or spiritual beliefs, understanding the meaning and significance of prayer can lead to a deeper sense of purpose and connection in life. It is a personal and intimate practice that can be tailored to fit an individual's needs and beliefs and can bring a sense of comfort and guidance during times of uncertainty.