Let’s be honest about prayer…we know it’s important, biblical, that Jesus did it and taught us to, but, at the same time, as soon as I say the word ‘prayer’ many things come to mind. As someone who passionately believes in the power of prayer, it’s a bit embarrassing and vulnerable to list some of these below but as we grapple with these thoughts we can find breakthrough in the wrestle.

Of course some are great, but others are difficult to admit but can at times be true of prayer:

• Powerful - I'm sure we can all testify to the incredible power of prayer. Whether healings, miracles, or the peace of God breaking through difficult times, many Christians have incredible stories of God answering prayers.


• Painful - Most of us have probably wrestled with unanswered prayer or not seen the breakthrough. These things often go deep, and if left unchecked and undealt with, can lead to resentment, bitterness and can even paralyse us into prayerless-ness.


• Presence - I love those times when you can sense God’s closeness when you carve out time to intentionally spend with Him. It’s not always the case, but many of us can testify to hearing His voice, having revelation in the Word, being filled with His Spirit, and having a fresh ignition of faith whilst being in God’s Presence.


• Perplexing - prayer can be complicated and even confusing at times. Why do I need to speak when God already knows what I'm going to say? Why do I need to persist in prayer when God heard me the first time? Why does He answer some prayers but not others?


• Ponderous - prayer can be awkward and even boring at times…it shouldn’t be because we’re communicating with the Creator of the universe! If we could only see what truly happens when we pray then we would be astounded…I've seen God do too much to think otherwise! However, as someone who has seen countless miracles and breakthroughs, I admit that I've had many times of prayer where my mind has wondered, I've checked the time (and sometimes the football scores), and thought about what I'm having for food later.

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I could go on and on. I’m sure you could too. But, could I gently encourage you to put all the questions, fears, doubts, pain and problems with prayer to the side for a moment. In fact, even lay aside the blessings and the breakthroughs too.

Are they important? Absolutely.

Does God care? More than we could ever know.

Are there answers to these questions? Yes! And you can find articles and books that will help with all of these wrestles. I’ve recommended some at the end.

But I want to share something which has carried me in prayer recently. It’s simple and beautiful. I’ve found it to be an important foundation for consistent devotion that can anchor us in any storm.

We pray because He’s worthy

Let it sink in for a minute.

So often my first thought is to pray because of what it does for me. But prayer is not about me getting what I want from God, it’s about God getting what He wants from me. “Let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done.” Jesus taught us to pray this way. (Luke 11:2). I know I've spent more time praying for my will to be done, but I want to challenge myself to stop and ask God to pray His prayers through me. Because prayer is always primarily about Jesus.

Yes, God lovingly and beautifully invites us to ask Him for the things we need. At the same time, the Bible consistently challenges us to seek His face, not just His hand. When we do this, we can be assured of a few things:

• God is always with us because He promised to be, so the prayer for His closeness and nearness is a prayer He always answers.


• When we seek His face it makes sense of the times when we can’t understand why His hand didn’t move. In fact, in these times He often shows us His purposes amidst the pain and how He is working it for our good and for His glory. It’s where He draws us closer to heal our broken hearts. I always say running away from God when you’re suffering is like running away from the hospital with a broken leg. His Presence is where we find the healing, restoration and refreshing we so desperately need.

What does all this have to do with the next generation?

I’m glad you asked! We live in one of the most individualistic and selfish generations that has ever lived. We’re consumed by ourselves and our own worlds. So when we teach a generation to follow Jesus just for Jesus, we’re liberating them for a kind of deep darkness that individualism eventually leads to. I love what the old saints used to say, “when we look at the world we’ll be depressed, when we look within we’ll be distressed, when we look at Christ we’ll be at rest.”

When we call the next generation to follow Jesus, not just for what He can do for them but also what they can do for Him, we’ll see a generation mobilised into mission like never before.

If we teach young people to seek God’s face, not just His hand, we’ll equip them with the tools to have deep and mature faith that follows Jesus no matter the cost, pain or sacrifice it may bring in the future.

This is what the next generations need. In an ever-changing world full of confusion, distortion of truth, faulty foundations, political upheaval, socio-economic instability and civil unrest, we can lead them to our God who is a Rock in the rubble, a Pillar in the problems, and an anchor in the wind and waves.

Josh Green, co-founder of Gen Zeal, an international ministry awakening the next generation to contend for revival.

Notes

Recommended Reading:

- Pete Greig, God on Mute, Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer

- Pete Greig, Red Moon Rising, Rediscover the Power of Prayer

- Debra Green and Josh Green, Way Maker, Discovering God’s Ways and Wonders in Trials and Triumphs

- David Thomas, How To Pray For Awakening

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