Simple, To-The-Point Prayers

My husband, Tom Stocking, wrote this month’s lesson.

Recently my wife and I were making plans for a weekend get-a-way. We had found a terrific price for airline tickets; however, they were on a carrier that had been going through some difficult times. As we discussed the pros and cons of making the purchase, wondering whether or not they would still be flying when our trip was to take place, I had a brilliant idea. “I know,” I said, “Let’s pray about it.” I began in earnest: “Lord,” I intoned, “You know the beginning from the end. You know if this airline will still be flying and if it’s the right thing to do to buy these tickets. Father, you said that if any lack wisdom, that he could ask and You would pour it out. Lord, we need your wisdom now as we try to make this decision. You know all things, Lord.” I paused to take a breath before my next assault on heaven. When I did, my wife said simply, “Lord, are we to buy these tickets or not?” Within a few brief moments, the answer came – as simply and clearly as the question that had been asked.

Needless to say, I was a bit miffed. Here I was, using Scripture, coming boldly to the throne of grace in my time of need, and in less than ten words my wife had the answer we needed. As I pondered this turn of events the next morning, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of a portion of Scripture that He had been having me read frequently in recent weeks:

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matt 6:7-8 (NIV)

Have you ever heard the term “hurts so good”? Well, this was one of those times for me. It hurt to see that what I thought was a brilliant exercise in prayer, God was hearing as “babble.” To be honest, what hurt was my pride, so it probably was babble – more for my benefit (and to impress my wife) than for God’s. The good part for me was that my Father loves me so much that He wanted to help me understand that speaking with Him doesn’t have to be that complicated. All He expects is for me to come simply, as a child, and just talk to my Dad. When my boys need some counsel, they don’t call me and say, “Dad, oh wise and honored one, who knows all things…” No! They just say, “Dad, I have a problem and I’m not sure what to do. Will you help me?”

Our heavenly Father already knows what our needs are. He is just waiting for us to look to Him and say, “Father, I need some help here. Can I bounce something off of You?” I saw so clearly in that episode that God answers prayers, and He does so quickly. I had to wonder how often He was trying to reply to me but was unable to fight His way through all my words. Please don’t misunderstand what I am sharing here. I believe in praying God’s Word, but there are times when simple prayers offered in faith are all that we need to pray.

Lest I be guilty again of babbling on, I’ll close with a prayer for you. Father, let the simple prayers of these readers, your children, draw them closer to you every day. Amen. Thanks for the opportunity to share this space with you this month.

© Copyright 2005 Kay V. Stocking