What is Pray? Prayer is not about asking for things, but about our relationship with God

Over the years, as strange as it may seem, we've had a number of people ask us if we'd pray they win the lottery, promising that if they did they'd donate a large portion to the brotherhood. The logic seemed to suggest that if the monks were going to get some of the take, the Lord would be more than happy to tweak the State Lottery numbers so they'd win big. Upon hearing this, I've often thought the poor person would more than likely lose their soul, should they win, with temptation likely to make them forget their promise to God. When large sums of money are in one's hands, it takes a person with a very strong will to be philanthropic with their fortune. Most of us are better off without a lot of money, as news items in recent years have given us ample examples of people who's greed has been their ruin.

I once prayed I'd get a certain job, thinking all my problems would be solved if only I had that job. If I had that job, I told myself, I could get a better apartment, a new car, pay off my bills, and be set. When the job didn't materialize, I ended up going off to graduate school, a decision that was ultimately the very best thing I could have done for myself. That job could well have derailed God's plans for me, which is often the case when we push for our own will, while praying, rather than humbly seeking out God's will.

The Scriptures instruct us as to how we should pray. In Acts 17:27-28, we read:  "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’."

Prayer is not about asking for things, but about relationship. Prayer is the vehicle that takes us into the heart of God, where we find 'a peace that passes all understanding' (Philippians 4:7). Prayer is our opportunity to come before God with reverence and humility, seeking the transformation of the heart that is our true inheritance. Prayer is that opportunity for us to show our love for God because of His great love for us. Prayer is not about asking for things, but rather seeking to deepen our relationship with the God Who has invited us into communion with Him.

An infant in the care of loving parents need not worry about food, clothing, security, safety, for his parents know what he needs, and freely give it in abundance. The Lord is like that with us. We may think we know what we need, but like the small child who thinks he doesn't need to go to school, and who's parents make sure he does, God gives us that which is needed for our salvation.  

If we trust the love that God has for us, we trust that we need not ask for anything, but only offer worship and love, and give ourselves over to our Heavenly Father. Like any child loved by his parents, we are assured of the love of the Father. Nothing else matters.  

With love in Christ,  
Abbot Tryphon