4 Attitudes to be Aware of when you Pray

Her prayer closet is much larger than most; it isn’t even a closet, or the largest room in her house. It isn’t always private and there are times it seats 50+ people. The times she chooses to visit she is the only one, and pray, she does. She prays for whatever God lays on her heart and in the silent moments, lives are touched. God lead her to the sanctuary of her church, and it is there that her prayers find a voice.

I wanted to figure out exactly what is prayer. So I was studying. I looked up the definition of prayer and found. Prayer is deliberate communication with God. It comes from the Latin word Precari meaning; To beg, pray. 

Deliberate is the word that catches my eye here, I’ve always know that prayer is communication with God. To think that it is deliberate shines a new light on prayer. It is seeking God through communication (which goes multiple ways), on purpose.

Using Jesus’ teachings on prayer from Matthew 6, I want to share with you 4 attitudes to look for when you pray.

1. Prayer should be deliberate but is should not be about the show. (Pride #1)

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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But 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. - Matthew 6:5-6.

2. Shouldn't be about the number of words used. (Don't Showboat; Pride #2)

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. - Matthew 6:7

3. You should be confident, because God already knows your request.

8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. - Matthew 6:8

4. You should be humble for God is great, because God has so much, and he offers you what is best for you.

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’ - Matthew 6:9-13

When you pray you should look at your attitude, and what you are doing. Don't let your prayers be about the show, and the number of words you use. Let your prayers be from your heart, knowing that God loves you so much and provides for you.

Do you check your attitude at the prayer closet door? Do you spend time in a special prayer closet when you pray? I would love to hear about your "prayer closet".