BY ELAINE EGBERT
F AS A a child I reminded Mother about a promise she'd made but still hadn't kept, it was certain that my wish would not be granted, for she allowed no "begging." Instantaneous correction would come my way if I forgot the rule: "Ask only once."
Thus at an early age I learned to state my need carefully to Mother, and then leave the matter to her greater wisdom.
Not understanding the difference between Mother's rules and God's, I'd imagined that He felt the same way about people who kept mentioning the same things when they prayed to Him. Though I'd heard the minister admonish, "Pray without ceasing,"1 my grade school teacher warned us about using "vain repetitions"2 when we pray. Obviously, once a desire was stated, further prayer on the subject was not needed. Afraid of getting the same reaction from God as I did from Mother if I broke the rule, I decided to present any request to Him just once, and let it go at that.
For many years I lived according to that rule. Though I often longed to spill out my heart to my heavenly Father, my prayers grew increasingly short. The only exceptions to my "don't repeat yourself" rule came when I prayed for others and when praising and thanking God. Those seemed permissible.
But then as a young mother I awoke one morning in the throes of a serious problem. I desperately wanted to talk my situation over with God, even though I'd previously asked His help on the very problem. I was certain God knew the solution, but though waiting hopefully, I received no heavenly answer. Now it was crunch time!
A Light Came On
As was my custom, I reached for my Bible first thing that morning. Somehow I picked up Child Guidance instead. Paging randomly, I opened to the chapter "The Power of Prayer" and began to read what seemed as illuminating as a floodlight switched on in a very dark room.
"The idea that prayer is not essential is one of Satan's most successful devices to ruin souls. Prayer is communion with God, the Fountain of wisdom, the Source of strength, and peace, and happiness."3
My attention quickly focused on that thought. I began to wonder if I'd erred in not talking to God more openly. While still pondering that thought, I came upon another quote that quickly reinforced my new concept.
"God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks."4
At last I understood that God wanted me to tell Him all that was on my heart whenever I wished! Just as I enjoyed having my youngsters confide in me, God wanted me to talk over everything with Him.
Putting my new understanding into action when I went to my knees each day, I felt free and happy as I fastened my mind on Him. I realized that He truly did know my needs, and as I voiced them again and again, He put me into a better frame of mind to receive the instruction He was so eager to give me.
No Longer Trapped
I'd heard people insist that a specific pattern must be followed when praying, or God wouldn't hear. I'd watched eager listeners scramble to learn the newest methods, hoping that at last they could find the key to connection with God. However, during further study I noticed Ellen White's definition of communication with God: "Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend."5 And heart talk to a friend doesn't follow a formula.
I learned that the construction of our prayers is not as important as our honest reaching out for God when we whisper those things to Him through the darkness. He is a big God. He can decipher our meaning, even if we mess up the grammar, put things in the "wrong order," or ask at inopportune times.
No longer do I feel trapped or frustrated because I can't tell God what I need to tell Him. In fact, I can't help sending thought prayers to my loving Father often throughout the day when I need an extra boost in courage, require help with a pesky temptation, or just when I want to tell Him how much I love and appreciate Him.
I'm so glad I finally learned the truth about prayer!
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1 1 Thess. 5:17.
2 Matt. 6:7.
3 Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 518.
4 White, Christ's Object Lessons, p. 145.
5 White, Steps to Christ, p. 93.
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Elaine Egbert, who writes from College Place, Washington, is the author of eight books. Her interests include religious studies, writing, and caring for her grandchildren.
