Prayer is fascinating. If meditation is dwelling on the word of God, I think we can define prayer as connecting with God. Foster says, "prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives." Everyone need prayer like we need connection with God. It is necessary, more so than even air itself. When we are connected with God we live forever.
When we pray, really pray, "we begin to think God's thoughts after him." It will change us, our desires, our love, our will." It is not something that we just do. But it is a part of us, it is bigger than something we add onto our life but it is life.
People ask how can I pray better? God meets us where we are at. We don't need to be a Martin Luther (prayed for 3 hours to start the day.) Or even a John Wesley who prayed for only 2 hours a day. He meets us where we are and then brings us deeper. Also we need to realize it is our prayer life and not someone else. Something that works for me probably wont work for you. Prayer is about finding a rhythm.
Many people pray, "if it be your will" prayers. Foster sees this as a little dangerous. What if you pray for someone who is sick and he never recovers? Do we blame God because it was not "in his will?" Rather ask his will, what would please you? What would advance your kingdom? "When we pray we are asking God what to do?"
Do you believe in coincidence? Just because someone prays, is it God who healed him. Or did it have to be more about the medicine? Are you one who leans to miracles? Can God work through both? Archbishop William Temple says, "the coincidences occur much more frequently when he prays." Does not sound life a coincidence.
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