First, welcome, @GardenofEden. Glad you are here. May I share a personal experience? I have no idea why, but here you go. I read this in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Wait what? “Rejoice evermore?” “Pray without ceasing?” What does that mean? How can I pray without ceasing? Exactly how long is that? And as for “rejoice evermore?” Yeah, ok. I lost my job, and I will rejoice, right? I mean, I do go to church. I pray the way Jesus taught me to pray. Do you know people like this? Have you been like this? You have people who go to church every week. They do what Jesus said to do. They pray the “Our Father” three times. They are saying the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us to pray? Right?
Well, no. Not exactly. Did Jesus give us the “Our Father Prayer” in Matthew 6? Of course. But what was He telling us? You see, He was teaching us how to pray by showing us the formula. He never intended for us to simply repeat it, hoping that God would hear us and do whatever we asked. In fact, right before He gave us this example, He said this.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
He goes on to say, not pray this prayer, but
“After this manner, therefore pray ye.”
He tells us that this is the formula. This is an example. “After this manner,” or, to resemble in appearance, character, behavior, etc., or, to follow as an example. Keep in mind, He just said, “when ye pray, use not vain repetitions.” So was Jesus telling us, ‘Say the" Our Father Prayer’ and all will be well? No. He was saying, This is how you should pray.
Some people think about prayer as holier than anything, a grand procedure that one must be skilled in, with the knowledge of how to do it. Well, no. All we need to do is follow Jesus’ formula. God already knows what you are going to say before you say it.
God is your Father. He is there when you wake up. He is there when you eat breakfast or don’t. Shower and get ready? He is with you. Go out the door? He is with you. Work, school, or play? He is with you. It is not a part-time, only in Church on Sunday concept or idea, or thing. He is with us always. In all things. During all things. He is there. He is God.
Do not ever forget this. Yes. Of course. He is always there, parting seas, calming storms, healing sickness, and casting demons away out of your life, carrying you even if He must. He is also there at all other times. Read the Word. Pray, and always think about Him.
Then, of course, and sadly, you have what I call “foul weather children of God.” I’ve been one. Death in the Family? “GOD???” Loss of a Job? “GOD???” Loss of a House? “GOD???” Sickness and disease invade your home? “GOD???” Dark clouds coming?? “GOD???” Trying to walk on water, and start to sink? “GOD??? SAVE ME!!!”
All is going well? Everyone healthy? Got that new Job? Got married? Birth of a child? Healed from sickness? Beautiful sunny days? Where is your cry to God? Where is your Thanksgiving? Where is God? Oh, He is there. Where are you?
If you have never done this, try it. Do not think about prayer as holier than anything, a grand procedure that one must be skilled in, with the knowledge of how to do it. It is not this way. It is simply a conversation. Talk to God. Get up and say your 5-minute obligatory prayer in the morning. How about on your way to work? At work? How about something you see that you would instantly want to share with someone? Share with Him. “God? Did you see that?” Or “Father, can I please get through this meeting today?” Or something like “God, thank you so much for this coffee. It is really good.” Anything and everything is worthy to share with God, and to also help you remember, HE is always with you.
Peter