Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16, 23b - 24

Part 1: Praying is simple.

Dear readers,

during these times many things seem to be rather complicated. People complain about the many forms and the so-called “paper war”. Elderly people often find it quite difficult to cope with our bureaucracy and are lost without help from others. And consequently many people do think that praying must be complicated as well. How do you pray in a correct form? Even Christians think that praying requires a special form of expression.

Praying is supposed to be easy? Other fellow Christians would find this statement rather annoying.  “Praying cannot be as easy as compared to talking to a friend! “ But the resurrected and eternally living Lord Jesus Christ says something totally different! Instead, everything is so simple for the believer. Honest praying falls into our laps!

When something falls into our laps, we get something without extra effort. I remember my school days. Some exams "fell into my lap", for example in art. In other subjects I had to struggle a lot: in mathematics, chemistry and physics. This was rather exhausting to me!

Is it the same with praying? No! You don't need a special talent for praying, nor is praying an effort. Praying is not a torture. Praying is a matter of the heart.

It begins with the fact that God does not grade our prayers like a teacher grades exams. Praying is not a heavenly performance subject. Praying is talking to the Lord Jesus Christ. Praying is talking to the Father in heaven. We can directly talk to God like we talk to a father. It depends on our relationship with the Father in heaven. It depends on our relationship with Jesus Christ.

We know from politicians that every word they say is of great importance. When statesmen stand in front of the microphones and the whole world looks at them, every word counts. Politicians know the impact of their words. At least most of the time…

When we Christians talk to God our Father, we don't have to choose particularly beautiful words. God does not pay attention to the choice of words. We are allowed to talk to our Father in heaven in the way our heart wants to express it. It may sound awkward, but it should be genuine and true. Our attitude deep within us, is important to God.

And what is the right attitude of heart? Room in our prayers must belong to the Lord Jesus. “He in us and we in him”. With this attitude our prayers will please God.  If Jesus Christ is the center in our life, then our selfish desires will no longer show up in the foreground, rather items which are a matter of heart to God.

This is also quite easy, because God himself provides his help for us to do it. Through the Holy Spirit, we can pray in a way that pleases God. Paul tells us in Romans, chap. 8 verse 26: And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Praying is simple when Jesus Christ dwells in our hearts and the Holy Spirit is our helper. It is then comparable to a teacher helping his students to pass the exams. Free of any fear and stress. Or like a father who would say to his child: I understand what you want to say. What you have in mind and you don't need to make any more words. My child, I understood you.

May the Lord bless you and preserve you in your spirit, soul and your body.