14: Purpose of Prayer

Yes, the purpose of prayer. One of the greatest mysteries in my life. It seems that prayer is not simply an act of asking God for things and then expecting Him to be a genii and granted those wishes. Instead, it is an act in which we get to know God Himself. Interesting.

I've been praying a lot recently. Mostly that school and my writing career go okay this year. In that sense, I guess I haven't given God enough time to respond because my prayers have been mostly one-way communication. But what I can learn from this is that through prayer, which is mostly talking to myself, I better understand my problems and issues. Thus, I find ways to work it out in the end. It's almost like talking to a friend who just simply listens.

But wait, John 16:24 says, "Ask, and you will receive..." This has to be one of the most mysterious verses in the Bible for me. I believe the verse continues with something like, "Seek and you shall find." So is the Bible saying that all I have to do is ask God and I'll get it? No. All I have to do is seek the Lord and I'll get it? No. I love how sometimes it seems that a Christian's biggest problem is said to be solved by such a simple verse. I don't know about you, but I've asked God for a lot of things over the years and I'd have to say that if I was playing Battleship, I would have a lot of misses on my board. Granted, I probably shouldn't get everything I ever ask for. God knows best so I trust His judgment. Still, I wonder why we do not always get what we ask for.

To me, I wish there was a way God could just say no. He does in certain situations, but for the most part, I feel like I'm getting God's answering machine and voice message, which leaves me waiting for when He's going to call me back.

Prayer confuses me and you'd think that I would have gotten it by now. To me, relationships are built on communication and time. Prayer provides both of these. However, that communication needs to be two-way, not one-way. It's like being interested in a girl and wanting to call her, but you're the only one that calls. She's not the one who calls, but you. Sense an unfair power situation brewing?

Despite my confusion and lack of understanding, I will continue to pray. At least I'm not the only one confused. In Luke 11, one of Jesus' disciples asks him, "Lord, teach us to pray." I relate to that guy. Lucky for him, he got a quick response from Jesus. He never had to pray to get an answer.