If you act as if prayer works, then you can accomplish so much more.
How Does Prayer Work?
Prayer is simply defined as talking to God. Prayer is a way to give God the lead in your life, your health, and your work. A friend recently wrote a book called Your Jesus Journey: Navigating Life with Scripture Reflection (2024). It begins with a simple prayer: “Change me, Show me, Use me, and Send me”. This is a unique relationship of trust. It is your willing surrender to God’s will as the means to the best end for all concerned. It is an active conversation that requires you to listen and respond.
How Does Prayer Work in Christian Counseling?
Prayer is used by Christian counselors like a helpline or an emergency contact. The main difference is that God is always available and answering people whether they are followers of Jesus or not. They will probably pray for you outside of session, and it may be their silent prayer when you are in session that can shift things. Sometimes your counselor may offer to pray for you out loud. If that makes you uncomfortable, feel free to decline.
Why Pray if You Doubt Prayer Works?
You may believe, “Prayer does not change God’s will.” or
“God doesn’t listen to me, I’m insignificant.”
You may have preconceived ideas about what should happen after you pray.
You may get an answer you were not looking for or even want.
Throughout the Old and New Testament, you will find many people talking to God and getting answers to prayer that are sometimes disappointing and sometimes exactly what they hoped for. You will see God’s will influenced by those who spent more time with Him and understood some things about Him. They knew that He was, is, and always will be all-powerful, merciful, loving and just. Yes, Jesus did ask to avoid death, but instead God mercifully cut short his suffering. Many observers were surprised how quickly Jesus died.
Prayer is not a magic way of controlling God. Rather, It’s getting to know Him, becoming His friend, and joining what He’s doing in your spheres of influence.
Embracing Prayer: What Have You Got to Lose?
Amazing as it is, despite what you believe, the most empowering tool you have is prayer. If you start praying and acting as if God hears, cares about you, and is working on your concerns; it will change your life. Many times God’s answers will be so much better than you imagined, even if it takes a little hindsight to appreciate that. Expect prayer to make your days go faster and your problems feel lighter. Using your imagination in line with what the Bible has to say overall is key. When you’re afraid or unsure is to acknowledge that God is good, He’s for you, and He is in control.
What are the Basics of a Good Prayer?
When Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, He gave them an example known as the Lord's Prayer:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (ESV, Mat 6.9-13)
Jesus's prayer is not wordy, but it covers our relationship with the Father, who God is, our response to God’s love, our need for food; our need to ask and give forgiveness, and our need for God’s mercy and protection. It is not for getting attention from other people. It is meant to be said directly to the Father. The Lord’s Prayer is an example of simplicity, humility, and sincerity.
Only one long, public prayer of Jesus comes to mind. The context was the Last Supper when he spoke an intimate farewell prayer in that was a conversation with his Father while in the presence of the disciples. Its purpose was to connect with the Father and to instruct and encourage the disciples before Jesus' coming death (ESV, John 17.1-26). It was about the present and the future.
Practicing Prayer
Prayer in Christian counseling will usually be brief and a way of advocating for the client. Prayer is a means to draw close to God anytime and is available to everyone. Prayer is more effective if you don’t just talk at God, but also listen and respond to what you hear. In essence, it is active listening. Prayer is about trust and submission to the God of the universe. You don’t need your counselor, priest, saint, pastor, or a believing friend/family member to be an intermediary between you and God, but they can be helpful partners in prayer.
The good news for clients is that prayer is a transformative tool outside the counseling room. Romans 28 says that the Holy Spirit and Jesus are praying for you all the time. This is great to remember when you don’t have the right words. Prayer can be a way to move towards personal growth and healing. You can get God’s help with how you see things, and even better, change what you’re thinking, feeling, and doing. Sometimes prayer can change the hearts and minds of the people around you, especially those under your authority. Act as if prayer works and see what happens.
One of the best ways to learn more about prayer is to do a word search in your Bible app. Pick a keyword or two and see what you come up with. A couple of my favorite verses about prayer are, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV, 1 John 1.9) together with “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (ESV, James 5.16).”
Resources:
Oury, Cindy Your Jesus Journey: Navigating Life With Scripture Reflection. (2024) WestBow Press, Bloomington, IN.
The English Standard Version (ESV) is an “essentially literal” translation, word-for-word in contemporary English.
