Day 47: How to pray in our day

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance 

(Eccl. 3:4)

We all go through different circumstances in life; we all experience different difficulties and blessings. Yet we all have both positive and negative experiences. Although the ratio between these two differs from one person to the next, we can all say that we do experience both. We have times of joy, new life and prosperity, and we also have times of sickness, death and loneliness. So how are we to respond to these positives and negatives in life? How do we speak of these in prayer? Does God want to hear about everything in our lives? 

What we have to understand is that in prayer we have to be honest with ourselves and honest with God. If in our lives we are experiencing much struggling and suffering then we are not expected to have a prayer filled with joy, praise and thanskgiving. If that was the case then our prayers would not be honest; they would not reflect our circumstances and we would feel no comfort from praying that sort of prayer. 

Take a look at Ps 69; the psalmist was going through some very tough times and this is reflected in how he prays. 

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.

I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me... (vv. 1-2)

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; 

all my enemies are before you. (v.19)

Here the psalmist pours out his complaints and negative feelings before God; he shares himself with God for he knows that God will hear. God cares about His children. He loves you and so He wants to hear from you in prayer. 

Similarly, in our positive circumstances we must also praise and thank God. We can share those experiences with Him too. In contrast to Ps 69 there are other psalms that reflect a positive attitude towards life. This is our chance to thank God for the wonderful blessings we experience, meditate on the abundant goodness of God and proclaim the wondrous works of God. 

I will exalt you, my God the King;

I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you 

and extol your name forever and ever. (Ps 145:1ff)

Our prayers must not be autopilot; they must deal with what is in our hearts. This does require us to examine our attitudes before we pray. Be honest with your response to life: how do you feel about God, about the world around us, and about ourselves? Tell God how you feel and include both your positive and negative responses. Lay your attitudes before God in prayer.