I recently finished Tyler Staton’s book, “Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools.” There are some books that I trudge through by the sheer power of pride so that I can say, “I read that book.” Yes, I realize that’s not a good motivation! I’m growing in giving myself permission to simply put a book aside when a couple chapters into it I’m simply not enjoying it. That being said, Tyler Staton’s book was biblically rich, incredibly refreshing and informative, and deeply practical. For all of those who feel prayer as a burden, who don’t know where to start, or simply don’t see it as the privilege it is here’s one excerpt that I hope and pray will serve you well.

Pray as you can. Start where you are. Put this book down and talk to God. Talk to him about the little details of your life you’re sure he doesn’t care about. Talk to him about the ways he has let you down or disappointed you. Talk to him about the blessings heaped on you that you could never deserve. Talk to him about the anxiety you’re carrying today. Just talk to him. Prayer is not the memorization of facts or highlighting of key phrases; it’s a relational discovery (29).

Since prayer is the discovery and the deepening of our relationship with God here are several reasons why we should pray:

1. We pray because we are overwhelmed. Do you feel overwhelmed? I do. Because of that I’m pursuing God in prayer more and more.
2. We pray because trust comes before faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us that faith is the assurance of what we hope for; thus, trust is confidence in the character of God. We come to God in faith because we trust Him.
3. We pray because God is big enough to hear our complaints and struggles. Psalm 142:2 reads, “I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”

What else would you add? What is the next step you could take in cultivating a heart for Jesus and a reliance upon Him that is seen in prayer?