Prayer isn't always nice and neat and tidy. Prayer isn't pretty. I'm not talking about saying prayers, like reading from a book. I am talking about heartfelt, honest expression from a human to Almighty God Himself.
Beyond the kind of prayer that is a list of requests, lies prayer that is communication between two hearts. The heart of man and the heart of God. Within this definition of prayer lies a whole continuum of expression.
When we look at the life of Jesus we can see His heartfelt expressions of prayer are not composed and dispassionate. Look at Hebrews 5:7, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission."
And in the account of the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11 twice, we are told Jesus was deeply moved. The King James version says He "groaned and was troubled."
Jesus often cried out, or cried in a loud voice the things He beheld. He cried out "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34). He wept over Jerusalem, deeply moved by the grief and turmoil that would overtake her.
These accounts don't resemble those Renaissance paintings of a pale, white Jesus praying, leaning on a rock with folded hands and a serene look on His face, do they? This Jesus is passionate, expressive, caring and feeling, and we know that Jesus was the perfect expression of the Father (John 14:9, Hebrews 1:3).
There are times for quiet contemplation, bold declaration, joyful praise, worship, awe and heartfelt passion. All are valid expressions to our Lord. Honest emotion and honest expression have a vital place in our prayer and communion with God.
Published in
Untagged by
kfenton
