In a crisis, even unbelievers quickly pray. Why is that? Even they seem to know God is their only hope. When, as a believer, my world seems to be collapsing—slowly or suddenly—prayer should be my first, fast, and reflexive action. Whether it’s during the immediate impact, as my personal “earth” is still quaking, or in the ongoing daily slog of sadness and waiting, Peter’s simple prayer is a good one: “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:30). And the Lord will be just as ready to catch my heart as he was to reach out to Peter!

The mood in the pastor’s office did not match the bright summer sunshine outside. Carla wiped at ready tears. Tom’s posture spoke of sadness and defeat. They had just spent an hour sharing the heartbreak of recent weeks as their nineteen-year-old son had suddenly moved out to live with “the love of his life,” a twenty-one-year-old man whom he had met at college. For Carla and Tom, finding peace seemed out of reach.

The pastor knew that Carla and Tom were struggling with a tsunami of emotions. He also knew that they naturally wanted to be able to “do something” to fix it all. Wisely, he steered them toward the most important thing they would ever do for their son:

“Tell me how you are praying about all this.”

How Does God View Prayer?

God values prayer much more than I do. He could simply and quickly “fix” things, but he enlists my prayers. Prayer is always my number one assignment when I or others struggle.

I say, “Well, I guess all we can do is pray!”—as if it’s a last resort. In contrast, the Lord says that, through Christ, we may “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). That sounds like a privilege, not a last resort! Before God’s throne? Mercy and grace?!

My goals can be very utilitarian, very solution-oriented. Yet Jesus says, “Come to me” (Matt. 11:28).That call is connection-oriented; person-oriented. Prayer should deepen my relationship with my Father.

I regularly mis-value prayer. I put it off and minimize it, while Jesus often prayed all night, alone. Parents like Carla and Tom may spend many nights feeling alone. Perhaps that very loneliness and heartbreak are opportunities to learn prayer, to talk with the one who says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).

What Does Prayer Teach Me?

Prayer is an automatic admission that I need help—and it must come from outside myself! In prayer, I’m admitting that neither my degree of wisdom nor of strength is equal to the job. Prayer begins to teach the all-important lesson of my weakness and dependence. Prayer reminds me that, in God’s strength, “when I am weak, then I am strong,” and that “his strength is made perfect in my weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9, 10).

Prayer reminds me of God’s omnipotence; it reminds me of his constant presence and peace. Yes, the Lord is always present with me, but in prayer, I am focused on him.

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