Has The Word "Pray" Lost Its Meaning?

The Infant Samuel at Prayer

Joshua Reynolds [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

It should be one of the most powerful words in the English Language. And yet, following the San Bernardino shootings the word “Pray,” was reduced to being the subject of political debate. And while I cannot tell what goes on in the heart of another person, I find myself wondering what happens after someone says, "We pray for..." Do we say we will pray because we plan to do so or is it just a meaningless word used to comfort others or more importantly, ourselves? And when we pray do we do so with the expectation that something will happen?

In prayer we discover the will of the Almighty, bringing ourselves in line with what He desires. There we see what He will do and what He wants us to do about any given situation. As a result prayer is about action powered by God Himself for those who reach out to Him by faith. It is something awesome, powerful and beautiful with a proven track record. But if we are to see any results we must be earnest and fervent when we say we will pray.

Believers cannot allow the word “pray” to become nothing more than a political slogan used in time of tragedy. We must also make sure the word "pray" is more than something we are programmed to say as good church people. Prayer is a powerful tool, a dynamic part of a relationship with God. Let's make sure we do not lose sight of what it means to pray.