Prayer

What do you think of when you hear the word "prayer"? Do you think of the old men at church who drag out a five minute long prayer, filled with lovely words that kill the time you could be spending at home, eating and watching a football game?
What do you think of when you see the word "prayer"? Do you think of the way your heart races when people ask who wants to pray, and you know you should, but you worry what people will think of you?
This is what the world tempts you to think. This is what Satan wants you to think. However, the Bible tells us differently. As for the long fancy words that confuse our little minds, G-d says " "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 men" (Matthew 6:5). Now, this is not to say that you cannot pray in public. While this may seem contradictory, when you read the verse again it uses the word "hypocrites." If one is sincere in his words, he will be speaking to G-d, not to man.
As for fear, there are numerous instances in the Bible where G-d commands us, "Do not be afraid." According to Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." No one else's opinion matters when we pray. We are talking to G-d!
Now, if prayer isn't meant for our own personal torture and agony, what is it? Prayer. According to Dictionary.com, prayer is a "devout petition to G-d" or a "spiritual communion with G-d...as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession." The only thing I disagree with here is the "or" where an "and" should be. It is a spiritually intimate conversation accompanied by reverence, humility, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession. It is a relationship. A relationship in which G-d is aching to hear you talk with Him. He created you. He desires you. He loves you, and He wants so badly for you to love Him back. In fact, He commands "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..." (Eph. 6:18).
Now you may be thinking "HA! Me? There must be a catch here. Why would G-d...G-d! want to talk to me? I'm not worthy." Well, if you were thinking that, you were right about the last part. You are unworthy. As am I, and every other being on this planet we call earth. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of G-d" (Romans 3:23). However, because of our sinful nature, G-d sent His one and only Son to this earth He created to die, so that we, that includes you, may accept His awesome gift of salvation, and be forgiven (John 3:16).
In spite of our awful quirks that drive people crazy, and our sinful actions that cause embarrassment, and our need for a Savior, G-d still loves us, and He wants us to talk to Him; He wants us to pray.
Why does He love you? Because He is G-d. He is perfect. And He created you. You are special. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).
You might say, "Okay, but...that whole bowing my head and closing my eyes thing...that's not really my style." Well, that's fine. However, I do believe that it is a sign of reverence. There's nothing supernatural or magical about it. But, as a speaker I heard once put it, it's just a way to be like "Wow...you're G-d!" It is an act of awe and worship. In certain cases, bowing your head and closing your eyes will be a nice way to show G-d some respect.
Now you might be thinking "Woah woah woah woah...hold up a second. What happened to my 'close, personal relationship with G-d you were talking about?" It's still there. You don't have to sit on your knees at the altar and cry until your eyes hurt every time you speak with G-d. You can lay in bed and stare at your wall, talking aloud. You can take a long walk with your earbuds in, listening to music. You can even drive and watch the road while you talk to G-d, if you want to! The main idea of bowing your head and closing your eyes is reverence, but G-d wants you to talk to Him as a friend, a brother, and a mentor, as well.
Prayer is about every aspect of one's relationship with G-d--the reverence of Who G-d is, the awesomeness of His friendship, and the comfort of J-sus' brotherhood.