The pleasure of Lord

When the disciples said to Jesus : "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11: 1), it was because they really wanted to learn to pray in a way that would please Him. In the same way, today many Christians would like to be faithful in prayer - but they do not know how. Because they simply do not grasp the vital purpose of prayer, they fail to maintain a meaningful life of prayer.

Many pray out of obligation, thinking that it is something they are supposed to do. Others only pray in times of crisis or tragedy. But it is important to understand that if prayer is for our own benefit, it is also for the pleasure of the Lord! Without understanding these two elements, we do not have the foundations on which to build a life of prayer.

We must not just intercede for the things we need, but we must ask the things that He desires. And what He desires most is communion with us - intimacy and communion.

"This is why I say to you : Do not worry about your life for what you will eat, nor for your body, what you will be clothed with ... Look at the birds of the sky ... your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they ?" (Matthew 6: 25-26).

"Heavenly Father knows you need it. Seek first the kingdom and the righteousness of God ; and all these things will be given to you over"(6: 32-33).

God tells us : "When you come in My presence, focus your attention on communion with Me, on learning to know myself. Do not focus on material things. I know your needs and I will take care of them. Just look for me, and enjoy a sweet communion."

The kind of prayer that most pleases God is very simple and easy to understand. It is so simple, in fact, that a small child can pray in a way that pleases Him.

David Wilkerson