⁵"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV)



⁵"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
 ⁶"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
 ^7-13"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. (MSG)


I've been searching out what God's intended beat and rhythm of prayer is. Because I feel as though there are not too many things more misunderstood, more maligned, more of a cause of frustration & confusion than prayer. 

No reason to get defensive to that. I talk with numerous middle and high schoolers every week. There is a common consensus: Why is it so important? Why can't I hear God speaking back to me? What the heck does prayer look like?

Is it merely me saying thanks? 

Is it getting on God's lap and reading off a wish list like we do with Santa?

Or could it be to engage a relationship?

To interact with the One we were created by and for?

I believe this more and more each day: prayer is designed to draw us into a more complete, more dynamic relationship with our Creator. 

Think about it...if I spent at least one hour with you every day one-on-one and called you at least once an hour...there's a good chance we are going to see our friendship/relationship progress, right? And experience tells me that I will start acting like you a little too. 

Like using those little unique phrases that only you do. And reacting to things like you do. And getting passionate about some of the things that I never even noticed before we became so close. 

Is the picture getting clearer?

Prayer is dynamic communion. Relationship. 

Not hype. Not formulas. Not wish lists. 

Love.