Prayer: Participation, Not Performance

What is prayer?

Many have been taught to see it as begging, pleading, or convincing God to do something. But the deeper invitation of prayer is not rooted in striving; it is rooted in presence.

Prayer is not a performance; it is participation in the divine life. It is the quiet space where we lay aside our lists, our fears, and our attempts to control outcomes. We set ourselves apart—not to escape life, but to become aware of the One who holds all things together, including us.

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
(Matthew 6:8)

God is not reluctant. He doesn’t need to be persuaded. He already sees, already cares, already moves in mercy.

God is all-knowing. He doesn’t need to be informed.

Prayer, then, is not about getting God’s attention. It’s about giving Him ours.

Prayer is communion.

It’s being still enough to recognize His nearness.
It’s breathing in His presence like oxygen for the soul.
It’s tuning in—not so we can tell God our problems, but so we can be re-formed by His peace.

“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.”
(Isaiah 30:15)

There will be times to press in, to intercede, to groan with creation, to cry out for justice. But even these are not attempts to move a distant God. They are alignments with the Spirit who already intercedes within us (Romans 8:26-27).

And there will be times to simply be still in contemplation, to say nothing, ask for nothing, and do nothing but sit in the glow of divine love.

Prayer is not escaping the world. It is returning to the real world, the Kingdom within, where Christ dwells.

So today, don’t strive to be heard.

Just come, to be seen, to be held, to be restored.

Let your life be the prayer.

~LaNora Tolman