Sincere Prayer

One of the reasons many consider prayer a challenging practice is we may have an incorrect expectation for the purpose of prayer. With incorrect expectations, we cannot properly understand the answers to our prayers. If we ask for one thing or multiple, conflicting things, we will likely become disenchanted when we don’t recognize any expected answer to our prayers. God does answer prayers for the believer, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him - (Jn. 5:14-15). So, in our view, were the prayers answered or not, did God meet our expectations? What should be our expectations when we pray? Should we expect exactly what we ask for or something better? This quandary may be overcome when we fully comprehend what prayer should be. Use of words create conceptional images in our minds. Even different words for the same item may cause different shades of description around this mental image. As an example, in the English language, the word “prayer” is usually understood as the idea of requesting something. An earlier part of English, Old English offers the example of a request either to God or to anyone else as: “I pray thee to do something.” Regarding physical communication, the basic image conveyed is that of a request. The request could be a surface-level request, or perhaps a deep heart-felt request. As we consider spiritual communication, there were many instructions for both the disciples and believers to pray. The apostles received guidance in passages such as Jesus answering their request about how to pray. [Jesus said] “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” - Matt. 6:9-11. When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He would have used the Jewish concept of prayer. This prayer concept is best defined by the Hebrew word  “tfilia” (תפילה). “The primary meaning of the verb “lehitpalel” (להתפלל), the verb behind the noun, is self-judgement or introspection. “Especially in Jewish Hassidic traditions, “tfilia” is understood to be an introspection that results in bonding between the creature and the Creator, as a child would bond with his/her father.” (Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg - Israel Bible Center). Further Dr, Eli says, “The answer lies in understanding that Hebrew prayer is not only a “request-making session.” It is a communal bonding between God and his child. The house of “his prayer” is, therefore, where God himself engages in introspection and in so doing bonds deeply with his people. They in turn reciprocate this action in their own prayers and bond with Him.” It is not a surprise that when the Jewish Christ was asked by his disciples how they should pray, how to bond with the Father as he did, Jesus clearly responded. Jesus taught them what to request, making sure to address their Heavenly King as “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9). Shortly before this Jesus had warned them to avoid using vain repetitions that characterized pagan approaches to prayer (Matt. 6:7). This introspection is also revealed in His instructions to use a closet and avoid crowds when they prayed (Matt. 6:6). Beyond this, toward the end of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples:

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” - Jn, 14:13;

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” - Jn. 15:7;

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” - Matt. 18:19;

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” - Matt. 21:22;

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” - Mk. 11:24.

There was usually an expectation of believe, faith, and according to God’s will. For the disciples, believing after asking was critical. Beyond this, Paul told Christians to “pray without ceasing,” implying constancy of reference to God, 1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2. A major means of promoting religious joy is this bonding prayer. These statements are capped with the revelation that the indwelling Holy Spirit communicates our prayers in a special way to the Father. This communication, bonding, submission is accomplished with a form of feelings that cannot be described by words. Paul says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” - Rom. 8:26.

As we should understand, prayer or better, communication with God is a very personal encounter. Prayer can be thought of as close to confession, homologéō, ("say the same thing about") properly, fully agree and to acknowledge that agreement openly (whole-heartedly) (Strong’s). When we agree with God as best we understand, it signifies we are intending, trying to place His desires above our own. When we do this, our never-ending, or frequent prayers may shift from our desires and material items, to other goals. We should first desire for others to believe, praise, and know Him better. After this, a desire for people to follow His desires. After these, our minds should turn to our requests for His actions. As we align our prayers closer to His will, we may find we recognize more of our prayers being answered.
 (All scriptures from ESV)