So often when we think of God, we think of a gender-specific individual with physical attributes. For years “God the Father” has been a phrase used to describe the Trinity, so while there is nothing wrong with that, it limits our view of God . . . and also can inhibit our understanding of prayer.
We think prayer as “coming TO God with our concerns/requests” but what if we start viewing prayer as coming into the love for which we were created. The heart of God IS love . . . . so prayer allows us an opportunity to exist in that love and allow that love to be our place of rest, our home.
There are lots of barriers we may experience towards prayer:
- Feeling disappointed and disillusioned because our prayers were not answered in the way we thought they should be
- Maybe bruised and broken by being wronged and scarred through life, and feeling as if prayer did nothing to help that
- Painful memories that have never healed
- We feel too distant and unworthy to call upon God
- Feel like God is inaccessible and remote
- Our words have grown bitter and cold, little ever happens when we pray
BUT – these barriers don’t have to exist. It just takes us taking that first step . . . we become willing to lay ourselves out there – and maybe just “see” what happens.
Richard Foster, author of Prayer, states that it is our simplicity of heart that allows us to be gathered into the Love of God the Father . . .
Today, what if we allow our lives to be taken over by the love, joy, and peace that comes through prayer? What if where we are, in whatever state and place we are in . . . we approach God and just be ourselves and say whatever is on our minds? Let’s see what happens in those moments.
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.