Trite Prayers

Has there been a time in your life when you prayed and did all the things you knew to do in the midst of a trial? You haven’t lost faith in any way, and you know God will move on your behalf, but it is a long and tiring situation. Have people said to you, “Just trust God,” “Keep the faith,” or something similar? They wanted to help, and what they said was true, but a hug of concern would have meant more at that moment. Or, have you ever been one of those who offered a trite Christian phrase because you just didn’t know what else to say or do?

The Lord recently reminded me of how it felt to be on the receiving end, and helped me understand how this also relates to prayer. As I read the newspaper or watch TV news, many times I pray for people in various situations all around the world, but with what effect? I recently studied, rather than just taking my usual glance at, a picture of a young boy in anguish as he held onto his father, who was on a gurney after having been wounded in one of the many bombings in Iraq. My heart began to break for him and children all around the world – and their parents, who want nothing more than to keep them from harm. What is the real help my prayer is to bring? Often, I’m guilty of praying a quick “Bless them” or “Protect them” kind of prayer, which is more to make me feel good, knowing I’ve done my part.  These are what I call trite prayers, for I’ve only said a familiar prayer or Scripture because I didn’t know what else to pray and didn’t take the time to listen for the Spirit’s direction.

Eph 6:18 NIV “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. . .”

1 Cor 2:11, 13 NIV “¹¹ . . . In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. . . ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”

The Bible tells us to pray in, and be led by, the Spirit. Yet, how often do we just take the most familiar Scripture and “slap” it onto the situation? Do we pray for people to be strong in the Lord and bold to share their faith because we think that’s all they need to do to be okay? In many places in the world, just being known as a Christian brings ridicule, persecution, or even death. Maybe that Scripture you pray out is the very one that is needed, but it must come from the heart of God for that time, not from your head, in order to have the needed effect. It comes down to waiting on the Holy Spirit to lead you with the right words and verses for that very occasion. This may mean that you pray something totally different than you’ve heard or thought of to pray, but it will be what He knows is the key to providing exactly what is needed. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)

What this means is that we must spend much time not only reading, but meditating on His Word, so that the Holy Spirit will be able to draw out of our hearts (Psalm 119:11) the exact portion of Scripture needed when we pray. What I see, as I consider this lesson for myself, is that I have become more confident in what I know when I pray, rather than in Who I know. In many cases, the result has been trite prayers prayed from my head and in an off-handed manner, not led by the Holy Spirit, so they were of little value to the Lord and the one for whom I supposedly prayed. How thankful I am that He loves me enough to correct me (Rev. 3:19 AMP,) for I want to be an effective vessel when I pray, which is what He wants, too!

Holy Spirit, I ask you to help each one of us recognize those times that we pray as a routine, not allowing You to pray through us, and not helping the person receive exactly what You want to bring through our prayer. We want to pray effectively, Lord, to help bring about Your plans and purposes on this earth. And it’s all for Your glory, Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© Copyright 2005 Kay V. Stocking