Simple Thoughts on Prayer

We pray in order to . . . Glorify God

When it comes to prayer, Jesus is our supreme example. He prayed often. He prayed privately. He prayed publicly. He prayed effectively. It only makes sense, therefore, that we would try to learn from Jesus the art of prayer. A good starting place is John 17:1, the opening verse in Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Jesus began that prayer by saying, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” Immediately we’re confronted with the primary purpose of prayer—to glorify God.
We usually conceive of prayer as asking for God to do things for us. But have you ever considered the fact that prayer does something for God? Prayer glorifies Him. When God answers our prayers, granting our requests, He receives glory. Jesus knew that the Father would glorify Him by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at the right hand of the throne on high. In answering this prayer the Father would be glorified. Glorifying the Father was the primary purpose for Jesus’ prayer.
So, how do we glorify God through prayer? One way in which we glorify God is by acknowledging that His will is best. According to Luke 22:42, when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to His crucifixion He said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me,” but then He was careful to add, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus set the pattern for us to acknowledge the supremacy of God’s will over our own. By submitting to the Father’s will in prayer we glorify Him.
Another way in which we can glorify God in prayer is by acknowledging that His ways are right. As recorded in Luke 23:46, on the cross Jesus prayed, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” In that prayer He was acknowledging the necessity of His death for our redemption. He glorified the Father by accepting suffering. When we experience seasons of suffering we may discover that God is doing something greater in our lives, and through prayer we can glorify Him.
Finally, we glorify God in prayer by acknowledging that He is worthy of praise. In Luke 10:21 Jesus prayed, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” Jesus praised the Father’s wisdom, giving Him glory. We glorify God in our prayers when we acknowledge that His will is best, that His ways are right, and that He is worthy of our praise. Let’s remember that the primary purpose of prayer is to glorify God.

“Father, we glorify you today by praying as Jesus prayed—submitting to your will, trusting your ways, and praising your wisdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”