Prayer is not something that comes easily or naturally to everyone. Our relationship with prayer can also change overtime depending on our stages of life or circumstances. While at one time prayer could be lifegiving and fruitful, at other times it could feel empty and fraught with negative emotions. Different types of prayer also resonate differently from one person to the next. Considering all the subjectivity around prayer, it makes sense then that the disciples would ask Jesus to teach them to pray and that Christians have continued to learn different ways of praying ever since.

What we need to be reminded of though, is that Jesus’ answer to the disciples is beautiful in its simplicity, but also wise in the meaning that underpins it.  ‘Ask and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.’ The trap in reading this Gospel is to think of prayer as transactional, that if I ask, God will provide. While that is true in part, it’s not the whole picture.

Prayer is not transactional, it is transformative. In truly asking, receiving, seeking, finding, knocking and opening, one is changed. Sometimes God’s providence is awe-inspiring in meeting the exact need that was expressed. Other times our prayers are answered, but not in the way we expected or, sometimes it is through our prayers that we realise that what we are asking for, is not actually what we really need. What is key, is an authenticity in our prayer that allows us to be open and transformed.

Take a few moments to reflect on the ways you have been transformed through prayer.

By Steph Jorna