Prayer is often seen as a ritual.

Just the mention of prayer stirs up images of someone bowing their head, furrowing their brow, and perhaps folding their hands.

Well, today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall will challenge the stereotype for prayer,

as we allow the Bible to shape our understanding.

The goal is to enrich our communication with God, as we learn to speak to him using the model that

he provided.

Are you looking for meaningful ways to connect with God?

Chuck titled his message, Strengthening Your Grip on Prayer.

I heard of a research study where psychologists discovered the top three places where average people fake it.

First, we tend to put on airs when we visit the lobby of a fancy hotel.

Next, we typically fake our true feelings alongside the salesperson at a new car showroom.

And the third place where we wear a mask, you guessed it.

In church.

Tragically, in church, where there should be authenticity,

we'll paint on the phony smiles and slap the backs

and shake the hands and masquerade to hide the truth. How sad. Mark Twain used a word picture

I've never forgotten. He wrote this. Everyone is a moon and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.

For the hypocrite, for those to whom cover up is all important, this dark side exists behind

carefully guarded masks.

You know where I see this occurring frequently in the church?

In public prayers.

That's right.

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