Prayer?

Once upon a time, I thought I understood prayer--it’s purpose and meaning. Lately I have been discovering that I know nothing about prayer. It leaves me feeling lost. 

For a long time I didn’t really believe in prayer. I knew it was a good thing to do (everyone said it was) but I didn’t really think it did any good (wasn’t seeing any results). Then I decided to change that and believe that it was a good thing and that God really does answer prayer. So I did. I noticed God answered a lot of prayers but most of them were small. The big ones were (seemingly) ignored. Eventually I got fed up and quite angry. God was the only one that could do anything about what was going on and He didn’t seem to care. I realize this sounds terrible and incredibly selfish but it’s what I was feeling none-the-less. 

I know of a church whose belief about prayer seems to be: mix enough faith with enough demands and you will get exactly what you want. God will give you everything you ask for if you have the ‘perfect’ combination. The only reason you would not receive what you ask: if you don’t have enough faith, or if you do not demand. I completely disagree with that theory. God is God, I am not. I am not even close to being God.  How arrogant to think that we can order God around like he is our dog. I may totally disagree with that theory in my head but my prayer life is revealing that kind of an attitude. I want something. I ask for it. I don’t get it. I get very angry. Like a spoiled 3 year old. I know that attitude is wrong. Very wrong. 

So what is prayer? The Bible says to pray. So it’s something I know we should do. But how should we pray? What should are attitude be? What should our expectations be? Where does faith come in? What does faith mean? 

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. God usually answers my questions. He will answer this one as well and there will most likely be a part 2 to this post.  But while I wait for His answer, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please, don’t be shy.