This Idea Called Prayer

We who believe in God, believe in prayer; but have you ever just listened to someone pray? I mean truly listen, because most of the time we really are off thinking about something else, or what we're going to pray, thoughts like, "Is God hearing this?". Better yet, tape record yourself praying sometime and then ask yourself, "If you were God, would you be listening to this?" When we pray, I truly believe we spend way too much of our time telling God what it is exactly He is to do for us, when, and how. You have to admit, that is sort of arrogant of us, isn't it. Or maybe it's just a testimony of our own self-centeredness.
Take some time to read what was going on in Jerusalem those 10 days leading up to Pentecost (Acts 2). They, being the disciples, were before God in fasting and prayer. Not telling God what He ought to do, because not a one of them woke up on Pentecost morning thinking to themselves, 'Today I think I'll speak in a foreign language to some folks who are far from God so they can understand how awesome Jesus is and be saved.' Peter wasn't ready with any 3 point sermon on why they needed Jesus. And they weren't making plans on how to disciple 3000 people to be ready to go home and share about Jesus in the next couple of days. Nope, they were spending those 10 days fasting and praying that God would show up in their lives and reveal to them what He wanted them to do next!
Could it be that is what we are missing in our prayer times? An earnest seeking of God to come and reveal to us Himself, His purpose, and His ways. I believe maybe it is. So give it a try and let me know what happens. Spend 10 days fasting and seeking God's ways and see if Pentecost doesn't happen for you like it did back then!
PJ