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How Do You Pray?

     In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26)

          How do you pray? Do you assume you know what’s best and issue virtual commands or beg? Do you ask for what you want and stick, “or according to your will” at the end? Do you use the “wordless groans” method? Do you pray Scripture, claiming promises?

          I’m at a loss as to how to pray about politics, or about COVID-19. I have definite preferences about both but I am well-aware that God uses tough times to cause His Church to grow. He has a purpose for the virus, and a purpose for the election, who wins it, and who loses it. I don’t know what those are. So how do I pray? A few ideas come to mind.

          First, the spiritual is more important than the physical. Gaining the whole world but losing your soul isn’t just bad if you’re the one gaining and losing. It’s also bad for anyone else who is gaining and losing. All the other aspects of a person (emotional, physical, relational, economic, vocational, etc.) are also important, but secondary.

          Second, love is required. Praying for what you believe to be in the best interest of the person is essential. You might be wrong about what’s in their best interest, but I believe God translates what is prayed in the best interest even if it’s mistaken.

          Third, openness or submission is required. We need to ask God about His will in matters and be willing to shift our prayer to match what He reveals. That doesn’t mean we can’t challenge Him. Abraham did. Lot did. Moses did over and over. Gideon did. Job did. Even Jesus did in Gethsemane and yielded to God’s answer.

          A fourth key is to pray Scripture, because in doing so, you know you are at least approaching God’s will.

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