“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5.16-18
Nearly as soon as our granddaughter began talking in language we could understand, sometime between her first and second birthday, we began teaching her to sing and pray. She seems to like the attention, so we began having her pray before our shared meals – a simple prayer, but thanking God for His provisions. Her prayer goes something like this: “Pray without Cece. Dear Jesus, thank you for the food. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Every time, without fail, her simple prayer of thanksgiving begins by omitting Cece.
No that wasn’t a typo. My wife, Nancy, goes by Cece and somehow Lucy has connected Cece with the manner of praying. I’m convinced that if we understand her intent, certainly our Father does, too. We’ve suggested to her that she need not omit Cece; however, when called on, she throws her hands up and says, “Pray without Cece.”
I believe that the heart of a prayer warrior is akin to this child’s simple prayer. I can say with the lyricist that I have never lost the wonder of it all – how the Almighty God, Creator of all there is would take the time to lean over the portals of heaven and eagerly attend to the cries of His children – but, He does.
How often do we encounter someone who makes a statement: “I don’t know how to pray”? I have heard prayers – memorized or written – which run through the gamut of eloquent words. I’m certain there was an angel or two elbowing each other as the courts of heaven exploded with the deep resonating tones as they addressed God in all of His glory and majesty. I have also marveled as I listened to my children as they spoke in childish terms addressing the God in whom they trusted to keep them safe through the night and into the morning.
It seems irreverent to condemn either for their outward presentation and appeal to God. They each have done their part in honoring the God upon whom they place their complete confidence – using their own style and eloquence – however, it is completely from the heart.
We sometimes wonder if the child really understands what they are saying or to whom they address their thoughts. Yet, don’t we all (whether aged elders of the faith or tyros in our walk with Christ) wonder sometimes if we, when in prayer, “Say it just right”?
While studying through the prayer life of King David (probably the most prolific of pray-ers in the Bible). We find raw emotion – desperation – exultation – remorse – confession – and, nearly any other emotion you might add. Sometimes his prayers were written and sometimes they were closer to shrieks than to supplication.
Prayer warriors are often identified by their humble and simple reliance upon God. While many are surprised or startled when God answers a prayer concerning a difficult situation, the prayer warrior recognizes his closeness in fellowship with the only One who could make a difference.
Praying is more about fellowship than popping the cork on a genie bottle. It is about developing such a working relationship with Christ that our prayer is as much a natural action as something planned and rehearsed – something we do without thinking because we are guilty of praying without ceasing and we are walking in fellowship with our Savior-God.