I replaced the blend door actuator under Luke’s 4Runner dashboard last year. It was one of the more difficult automotive repairs I’ve tackled. Now the blower motor on his AC has gone out. Thankfully, it’s a much easier repair and a cheaper part.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things from YouTube automotive repairs: go slow, pay attention, have the right tools, and don’t rush. Following those instructions has led to some successful repairs. It has also led to moments of deep frustration, anger, and yelling at various family members for not handing me the correct tool as quickly as I thought they should. I’m not proud of that part.
But when it comes to automotive repairs, following the instructions matters. Go out of order, skip a step, or use the wrong tool, and you’ll probably create a bigger problem than the one you started with. Prayer, however, is different. In my experience, trying to follow a rigid set of rules about how to pray has often been more hindrance than help. Prayer is not about mastering a technique. It is about talking honestly and regularly with your Heavenly Father.
The disciples did ask Jesus how to pray, and He gave them the Lord’s Prayer—a beautiful model that teaches us how to approach God. Scripture is also filled with prayers from godly men and women. We can certainly learn from them. But I don’t think those prayers were given as exact formulas that guarantee success if we follow them precisely. I think they were given as examples of how real people talked to God during real situations in life.
That’s one reason I love Psalm 141. David prays:
“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” Psalm 141:3 (NLT)
What a great prayer. Short. Simple. Honest.
Then David continues:
“Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong.”
Psalm 141:4 (NLT)
Two things stand out to me. First, David understands the natural drift of his heart. Left to himself, he knows he tends to drift away from God rather than toward Him. That’s good self-awareness. Second, David calls sin “delicacies.” He acknowledges that the wrong path looks attractive to him. He isn’t pretending. He isn’t filtering his prayer. He isn’t trying to sound religious. He’s simply telling God the truth about what is happening in his heart.
David wants to say things he shouldn’t say. He feels the pull of sin. He knows he’s drifting in the wrong direction. And he just tells God exactly where he is. That’s beautiful honesty, and I think that’s what real prayer often looks like.
So how should you pray? Pray long prayers if you want to. Pray short prayers if you need to. Pray through a list. Pray while driving. Pray while mowing grass. Pray while sitting in a hospital waiting room. Pray when you’re thankful. Pray when you’re angry. Pray when you’re confused. Pray when you’re desperate.
There is no situation in life where prayer is the wrong response.
The more you pray, the more natural prayer becomes. The more natural prayer becomes, the more dependent upon God you become. And the more dependent upon God you become, the deeper your relationship with your Heavenly Father grows.
So don’t spend all your time worrying about how to pray.
Just pray.