What does it mean to pray sincerely?

Praying sincerely is a profound spiritual practice that resonates deeply within the Christian faith. It is not merely about the words we utter or the posture we assume; rather, it is an intimate expression of our hearts, minds, and souls in communion with God. To pray sincerely means to engage in prayer with authenticity, humility, and a genuine desire to connect with our Creator.

Sincerity in prayer is fundamentally about the state of our hearts. Jesus emphasized this when He taught about prayer in the Sermon on the Mount. He warned against praying like the hypocrites who love to pray standing in synagogues and on street corners to be seen by others (Matthew 6:5). Instead, He advised, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6, NIV). This passage highlights the importance of private, heartfelt communication with God, free from the desire to impress others.

Sincere prayer is characterized by honesty. It involves coming before God with our true selves, without pretense or masks. King David, known as a man after God's own heart, exemplified this in his prayers recorded in the Psalms. He poured out his soul before God, expressing his fears, doubts, joys, and sorrows. In Psalm 51, a poignant example of sincere prayer, David repents for his sins with Bathsheba, saying, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV). David's prayer is raw and honest, reflecting his deep remorse and yearning for God's forgiveness.

Humility is another cornerstone of sincere prayer. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, found in Luke 18:9-14, illustrates this vividly. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get" (Luke 18:11-12, NIV). In contrast, the tax collector stood at a distance, would not even look up to heaven, and beat his breast, saying, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13, NIV). Jesus concluded that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. This parable teaches that sincere prayer is marked by a humble recognition of our own unworthiness and complete dependence on God's grace.

Furthermore, sincere prayer reflects a deep trust in God's character and His promises. Hebrews 11:6 asserts, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (NIV). Praying with sincerity means approaching God with faith, believing that He is good, that He hears us, and that He will respond according to His perfect will. This trust is beautifully illustrated in the prayers of Jesus Himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the agony of the cross, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39, NIV). Even in His distress, Jesus demonstrated unwavering trust in the Father's will.

Sincere prayer also involves persistence and perseverance. Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray and not give up (Luke 18:1). The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) underscores the value of persistent prayer. The widow's relentless plea for justice eventually moved the unjust judge to act on her behalf. Jesus used this parable to illustrate that if even an unjust judge can be moved by persistence, how much more will our loving and just God respond to His children's persistent prayers.

In addition to these aspects, sincere prayer is rooted in a relationship with God. It is not a ritualistic or mechanical act but a dynamic and ongoing conversation with our Heavenly Father. Jesus modeled this relationship through His own prayer life. He often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16), demonstrating the importance of spending quality time with God. In John 15:7, Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (NIV). This abiding relationship with Christ is the foundation of sincere prayer, where our desires align with God's will.

Moreover, praying sincerely involves aligning our prayers with God's will and purposes. The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus as a model, begins with praise and a desire for God's kingdom and will to be established: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV). Sincere prayer seeks God's glory and aligns our requests with His divine plan.

Christian literature also offers valuable insights into sincere prayer. In his classic work "The Practice of the Presence of God," Brother Lawrence emphasizes the importance of continual, heartfelt communication with God. He writes, "There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God." This continual conversation, marked by sincerity and devotion, transforms our daily activities into acts of worship and prayer.

Similarly, in "A Call to Prayer," J.C. Ryle underscores the necessity of heartfelt prayer: "Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer." Ryle's words remind us that sincere prayer is transformative, drawing us closer to God and away from sin.

To pray sincerely, therefore, is to approach God with a heart full of honesty, humility, trust, persistence, and a deep relational connection. It is to pour out our true selves before Him, seeking His will and glory above all else. It is to engage in a dynamic and ongoing conversation with our Creator, knowing that He hears us, loves us, and desires to commune with us.

In conclusion, sincere prayer is not about eloquence or outward appearances but about the authenticity and depth of our relationship with God. It is about coming before Him with a genuine heart, seeking His presence, and aligning our lives with His purposes. As we cultivate this sincere approach to prayer, we will experience a deeper intimacy with God and a greater sense of His presence and guidance in our lives.