By K. Ray McDowell

Matthew 6:7-8
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Granddad passed his granddaughter’s room one night and overheard her repeating the alphabet in an oddly reverent way. He paused to ask her, “What on earth are you up to?” She explained, “I’m saying my prayers, but I can’t think of exactly the right words tonight, so I’m just saying all the letters. God will put them together for me, because he knows what I’m thinking.”

Many times, over the last several months I have seen God come to my rescue without my “formally praying” for His help. Finding myself in perils never before faced you might think that the natural response of “a preacher” should be to fall on his knees and bombard heaven with cries for help. Honestly, had I taken to my knees during our Harvey woes I would have drowned!

Jesus’ instructions on prayer are simple and freeing. First, He says, “when” you pray. Just do it! The Father is listening. You can tell Him anything and everything at any time.

Secondly, Jesus wants us to understand that when we pray it isn’t about our posture, volume, language, piety, church membership or degrees. We can come to Him in a church, at home, in a park, on a mountain or in our car. Standing or sitting, hands raised or not, eyes opened or closed, face up or head bowed. He simply longs to hear from us.

Thirdly, He knows what is on our hearts and what we need. So just talk to Him. We don’t have to find the “right words” we simply must go to “the right place” …Him. Could it be that it is time for a chat with the One who knows us best and loves us most? He’s available.

K. Ray McDowell is the Lead Pastor of First Church of the Nazarene in Orange Texas. To learn more about OFCN go to www.ofcnazarene.org or our Facebook page.