Learning how to pray to God, like learning anything, is often best learned from examples. Alexei Brynza was a pastor in the Soviet Union, and from his life I’ve learned much about how to pray to God.
In the summer of 1985, Alexei and his son Viktor needed to go to a village called Novova Selevka, about 130 kilometers from home to lead the Saturday night church service.
However, at that time in the Soviet Union there was a severe shortage of gasoline. Alexei got on the telephone, seeking someone who could take them there in a car. No one had any gas. There weren’t any trains or buses that would get them there on time. As he always did when there was a problem, Alexei got on his knees and prayed. “Lord, give favor to your servants so that someone would come and give the gasoline.”
While Alexei was praying, the telephone rang. It was Yakov Vassilievich, one of the church members. “I’ve got about fifteen liters of gasoline,” he said. “Enough for us to get to Novova Selevka, but not back.”
Alexei said, “Viktor, get ready, we’re going. God will see about the gasoline.”
When they arrived in Novova Selevka, the pastor remarked, “It’s so good that you came. Last week my son was here, and he brought a canister of gasoline in case there would be a need for it, even though I don’t have a car. I thought that if you came, I would give it to you to get home.”
What can we learn about how to pray to God from Alexei’s experience? First, he got on his knees. This physical act was more than just the position of his body. He was acknowledging that God was the one who was powerful to act; Alexei was admitting he was powerless in the situation. He was ready to accept whatever God did.
Second, he started his prayer by asking for God’s favor in the situation. Alexei had a responsibility and a commitment to travel to the church in Novova Selevka. He wasn’t asking God for wealth or fame or selfish gain. All he was asking for was for God to make a way for him to meet his obligations.
Third, Alexei asked specifically for what he needed. A few liters of gasoline. He didn’t pray long, he didn’t compose a complicated petition. He just asked simply for what he needed.
Fourth, Alexei acted on the provision God gave, even though at first it wasn’t enough. Initially God provided enough gasoline to get Alexei and Viktor to Novova Selevka. They didn’t know how they would get home, but they went anyway.
Fifth, God answered, even though Alexei doubted. As Viktor told the story, he could see tears in his father’s eyes when the pastor in Novova Selevka told them he had the gasoline they needed to get them home. On the way there, Alexei struggled. Even though he had seen God’s power many times, he was wavering, wondering if God was really so powerful that He could help in all things. The trials they faced every day were like unrelenting storms that threatened to drown them. Sometimes they’d even feel they were sinking into a pit, and that God could help them, but didn’t want to. But every time He showed how faithful He was, and that He would provide or help in just the right time.
Of course, not every time we pray will we receive a dramatic answer like Alexei did. We pray not just to ask for things, but to develop a relationship with God and learn how He wants us to live. From Alexei’s story we can gain some insight into how to pray to God. By praying with a humble attitude, accepting God’s will, praying simply and specifically, and trusting God for the outcome, we can see how He works in our lives and how He answers prayer, even if He doesn’t answer us exactly as we’d expect or want Him to. So go ahead and start praying, and watch what God does. That’s to best way to learn how to pray to God.
Evelyn Puerto is a former missionary to Russia and has recently published her first book, Beyond the Rapids. Read more about the book and the first chapter at http://www.beyondtherapids.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
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