Does Prayer Work?

Does prayer work?

It's a question asked over and over and over.  By people who are seeking God.  By people who are doubting God.  By people who are questioning God.  By people who love God.  By people who hate God.  By people who are angry at God.

Does God hear our prayers?  Does He care?  Does He answer them?  Why does He answer some prayers and not others?  What makes Him answer our prayers?  Is there a 'right' way to pray?  Is there a 'wrong' way to pray?  Do His answers relate to our faith?

Does prayer work?

Many people ask the question.

But I don't think it's the right question to ask. 

Prayer isn't a mechanism or a magic formula.  It isn't a cosmic shopping list, or a 'request slot' with God.  Prayer isn't about me and what I want.  Prayer isn't something that works or doesn't work.

Prayer is talking to our Father in Heaven.  Prayer is a conversation with our Creator.  Prayer is relationship.  In the same way that human relationships are built on communication, our relationship with God is built on prayer. 

When I chat to family or friends on the phone or face-to-face, I don't simply ask them for things.  And I don't judge their love for me on whether or not they meet my demands.  Of course, there are times when I do ask for things from them, but that is part of my relationship and conversation with them, not the whole relationship.  Most of the relationship is built on chatting and sharing, talking and listening.  Learning more about the other person - their thoughts and beliefs, their likes and dislikes.  Learning what they are passionate about and what they value.  And it's about sharing my thoughts and beliefs and values and dreams and hopes and fears.

Prayer is the same.

It is about falling in love with God and partnering with Him to fulfil His work in this world.

Jesus advised His followers to pray like this:

"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.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant.  They're full of formulas and programmes 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."
[Matthew 6:6-7 MSG]

Perhaps instead of asking Does prayer work? we would be better off asking What is prayer? and spending our time developing our relationship with God.

[The most useful and beautiful book I've ever read about the question of prayer is "God on Mute" by Pete Greig.  I strongly recommend it.]