My pastor is taking us through a series about prayer. Prayer might seem like a simple cut-and-dry subject, but have you ever really stopped to think about how you pray? Most of us pray before we eat a meal when we say a blessing. Sometimes we breath a prayer of thanks when something goes our way. I used the word “sometimes” because I think that most of the time, our prayers are centered around asking for something we want or something we want to happen. We are learning to pray with humility.

Lord, please help me pass this test.

God, please help me get that new car.

Jesus, please help me get that guy.

Lord, please let me marry that girl.

God, please help me pay the mortgage this month.

Our lists of “Lord help me do this or that” could go on forever. This is a problem. As my pastor put it, “God is not a vending machine. We can’t just press button number 3:16 and get stuff.” Prayer is so much more than asking for things all the time. Prayer is relational, not transactional. Prayer is about enjoying our relationship with the Lord.

Let’s not just learn to pray. Let’s become a people of prayer. What do you suppose stops us from becoming a people of prayer?

Busyness.

We could make a list. Some of our lists would be longer than others, but it all comes down to busyness. We get busy. We get distracted. We become overwhelmed with the the business of busy. Therefore; we don’t take time to pray.

What could God do in our lives and in the lives of others if we learn to pray with humility?

Pray for your enemies.

One of the most humble prayers we can pray is a prayer for our enemies. This is especially hard for me, not that I have any enemies, but if you are like me, praying for people who annoy you or bother you in some way is challenging for you. David gave us a good example for praying with humility. David was distressed, but he prayed for his enemies in Palm 4:2-3.

Let’s look at Psalm 4

1. Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2. You sons of man, how long will my honor be treated as an insult?
How long will you love what is worthless and strive for a lie? Selah
3. But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself;
The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4. Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah
5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the Lord.

6. Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?”
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!
7. You have put joy in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine are abundant.
8. In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.

Let’s be like David. Let’s be prayer warriors who fight on our knees.

Pray boldly.

If you belong to the Lord, then you have His attention. He listens to us when we pray. We are set apart. Notice in verse 8 that David is at peace. Prayer does not always change our circumstances, but it will always change us.

What do we need in order to pray with humility?

We need a pure heart.

Psalm 4 tells us to meditate in our heart upon our beds and be still. We need to worship with a pure heart. When we have a pure reverence for God, we don’t walk in shame or the wrong kind of anger.

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil. Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

We need to hate sin.