Praying as Believers: Distinguishing Our Prayers from Nonbelievers' in

Are You Praying Like a Nonbeliever?

Have you ever stopped to consider how you pray? Are your prayers aligned with the heart of a true believer? Or do they resemble the prayers of those who do not have a personal relationship with God?

It is a sobering thought that even nominal Christians, those who merely identify as Christians but do not actively practice their faith, engage in prayer. They may pray daily, just like millions of unbelievers around the world. But is there a difference between the prayers of a believer and the prayers of a nonbeliever?

The Danger of Nominal Christianity

Unfortunately, nominal Christianity is prevalent in our world today. Take Latvia, for example. In the book Operation World, it is noted that although 60% of Latvians belong to a Christian confession, only a small minority truly live out their faith. This pattern can be observed in many nations where Christianity has spread. The wheat and the tares grow together, and both groups pray.

Jesus himself encountered this phenomenon during his ministry. The Pharisees, who were religious leaders of their time, prayed not out of genuine love for God, but rather to be seen by others. In Mark 12:40, Jesus describes them as those who “devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers.” Their prayers were insincere and lacked true devotion to God.

So, how can we distinguish our prayers as believers from the prayers of nonbelievers?

An Authentic Relationship with God

First and foremost, our prayers should flow from an authentic relationship with God. We must have a genuine love for Him and a desire to commune with Him. In Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” Our prayers should reflect this love and devotion.

When we pray, we should approach God as our heavenly Father, knowing that He cares for us deeply. In Matthew 6:9, Jesus teaches us to address God as “Our Father in heaven.” This intimate connection we have with God enables us to approach Him with boldness and confidence, knowing that He hears and answers our prayers (Hebrews 4:16).

Praying with Faith

Another distinguishing characteristic of believer's prayer is faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Our prayers should be marked by a confident trust in God’s ability to answer and provide for our needs.

When we pray with faith, we are like a child who confidently asks their loving parent for something, knowing that they are both willing and able to give it. Jesus encourages us to have this childlike faith in Matthew 7:7-11, where he says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Aligning with God's Will

As believers, we should also seek to align our prayers with God’s will. Jesus himself exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Even in his moment of agony, Jesus submitted his desires to the will of the Father.

Similarly, the apostle John reminds us that when we pray according to God’s will, we have confidence that He hears us and will answer (1 John 5:14-15). This requires surrendering our own will and desires, and seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in our prayers.

Praying as Believers in a World of Nonbelievers

Living as believers in a world filled with nonbelievers can be challenging. We may face pressure to conform to the patterns of the world, including how we pray. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to be set apart and to live differently.

Our prayers should not be a mere religious ritual or an attempt to gain recognition from others, like the Pharisees. Instead, our prayers should be characterized by a genuine love for God, a confident faith, and a surrender to His will.

Let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:5-6, “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

As we enter into prayer, let us seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, praying with faith and aligning our desires with His perfect will. By doing so, we can experience the true power and intimacy of prayer as believers in Christ.

Remember, our prayers have the power to impact the world around us, both now and in the future. So, let us pray with sincerity, faith, and a desire to see God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.