What Is Prayer?
Trevin Wax and Thomas West
3 min read ⭑
Prayer is communion with God in the name of the Son with the help of the Spirit. Prayer is a pursuit not of “mindfulness” but the mind of Jesus, through praise, confession and petition. Its aim is not self-expression, but spiritual formation.
In a time of widespread anxiety and mental distress, it’s not surprising to see people pursuing practices and habits that promise peace and solace. Mindfulness routines have arisen in recent years, often rooted in Eastern philosophies, primarily Buddhism, which involve intentional, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Practitioners often focus on their breath, bodily sensations or sensory experiences to cultivate this awareness.
There may be therapeutic benefits to mindfulness practices, but by beginning with self, mindfulness routines turn us inward, to our own thoughts and feelings, rather than upward to God in a spirit of devotion, or outward to others in acts of justice and mercy. Christian prayer incorporates what is best about these mindfulness efforts while overcoming their shortcomings.
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Christian prayer is not emptying the mind of distraction but filling the mind with truth — God’s promises, seen most clearly in the character and the redemptive work of Christ. Prayer is a crucial way we become like Jesus, where our inner person is gradually reshaped to conform to his mind and attitude. Christian prayer is not just about self-awareness but Christ-awareness. In prayer, we don’t just observe our mental landscape; we experience a divine makeover where our thoughts, desires and perspectives are reshaped.
The Bible’s vision of prayer is profoundly personal. It’s not just a monologue, where we speak our thoughts into silence; it’s a dialogue, a heartfelt conversation with God, an openness to receive and respond to his Word. Prayer is an invitation to present yourself before God in all your mess, with all your doubts, with all your frustrations and to trust that the God who knows you still loves you. It’s to draw near like a child, and to unburden yourself in God’s presence. It’s dwelling with God.
“Through prayer, we surrender to the need to be the author of our stories and yield to God’s leading in our lives.”
Praying in the name of Jesus is more than attaching his name to the end of our requests; it’s our humble confession that we need a mediator. We don’t have the status or standing to approach God on our own; we rely on the Son’s merit to enter the Father’s throne room. The Holy Spirit is our guide in prayer (Romans 8:26). Life sometimes feels like walking an uncharted path in the dark. The Spirit in prayer functions as a guide who brings light and direction to the journey. He’s also a skilled translator who perfectly translates our hearts’ groans and sighs to the Father.
Three aspects of prayer form a harmonious symphony. Praise magnifies God’s glory, confession deepens our intimacy and petition reinforces our reliance on his wisdom and care. Praise is when the magnitude of God’s beauty and awesomeness overwhelms us. It is an eruption of the soul’s delight. Confession is when we realize how far we’ve missed the mark and want to be forgiven. Petition is when we share our desires, concerns and needs with God.
Christian prayer offers a different perspective in a world that often encourages self expression as the best way to find peace. Spiritual formation is about the Spirit’s work to align the self with God’s purposes. It’s his work in and through us, not our own. Through prayer, we surrender to the need to be the author of our stories and yield to God’s leading in our lives.
Reflection Questions
1. What is the primary purpose of prayer in your life? Is it more about self-expression or spiritual formation? Reflect on your motivations for praying and consider how to shift your focus toward spiritual formation, depending on the Spirit to align your heart and mind with God’s will.
2. What are some ways to ask for God’s guidance during prayer? What practices have you found helpful in learning to pray? Consider the balance between speaking and listening in your prayer life and explore ways to deepen your experience of God’s guidance through prayer.
3. How does prayer help you align your desires and thoughts with God’s will? Are there areas in your life where you struggle with this alignment? Reflect on how prayer shapes your desires and thoughts to align with God’s purposes and identify areas where you seek greater alignment with his will.
Trevin Wax is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University.
Thomas West is the pastor of Nashville First Baptist Church and the founder and former pastor of Redeemer Queen's Park in London, England. Thomas's ministry and research are driven by exploring the intersection of theology, culture, and mission in Western culture.
Taken from The Gospel Way Catechism: 50 Truths That Take On the World by Trevin Wax and Thomas West. Copyright © 2025. Used by permission of Harvest House Publishers Inc.
