THE HABIT OF PRAYER
Pst. Kobus Massyn
“How our posture in prayer shapes our outcomes”
If we say “ Prayer changes circumstances”. We need to take note of the fact that it is a effort from us to God. It is our action, focus and intention to connect with the King of Kings. The beauty of it is that He enables, encourage and responds to our every effort.
But the result is not in the dynamic of prayer. Not the technique of prayer. Or the amount of prayer.
But the habit of prayer.
Because prayer is not built in moments of crisis —
prayer is built in habits of posture.
In Luke 11:1 we read:
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him,
‘Lord, teach us to pray…’”
They didn’t ask Him:
Teach us how to preach
Teach us how to heal
Teach us how to lead
They said:
“Teach us to pray.”
Because they understood something:
Prayer shapes everything else.
Prayer shapes:
our perspective
our patience
our faith
our relationships
our identity
Prayer is not only words…
Prayer is posture.
And I want to structure this message around four habits that shape powerful prayer.
BE CURIOUS, NOT CRITICAL
How: Say “Wow” (Rom 11:33)
When we come to God in prayer, our posture matters.
Critical prayer sounds like:
“Why, God?”
“This is not fair.”
“This should not be happening.”
But curious prayer sounds like:
“Lord… what are You doing here?”
“How is Your hand at work?”
“What can I learn from this?”
Curiosity opens heaven.
Criticism closes hearts.
Mary and the Angel
Luke 1:34–38
“Mary asked the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’
The angel answered… ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you…’
Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’”
Mary does not say:
“This is impossible.”
“Choose someone else.”
“This is too much.”
She says:
“How will this be?”
That is not doubt —
that is curiosity.
And because of that posture, she becomes the carrier of the Messiah.
Outcome
Curiosity positioned Mary for:
miracle
destiny
calling
history
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…”
Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Application
In prayer:
Don’t begin with judgment
Begin with wonder
Teach your heart to say:
“Wow, God… what are You doing here?”
Because:
Critical hearts see problems.
Curious hearts see possibilities.
BE CAREFUL, NOT CRUSHING
How: Respect the growth
God works in processes, not shortcuts.
Prayer must respect:
timing
seasons
maturity
development
We often want:
instant answers
fast breakthroughs
immediate results
But God often works:
slowly
deeply
steadily
Elijah and the Rain
1 Kings 18:41–44
Elijah prays for rain.
Once — nothing.
Twice — nothing.
Third time — nothing.
On the seventh time, the servant says:
“A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
Small sign.
But Elijah knows —
big breakthrough is coming.
He does not despise the small cloud.
He respects the growth.
Outcome
That small cloud produced:
heavy rain
national restoration
answered prophecy
Zechariah 4:10
“Do not despise these small beginnings…”
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest…”
Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…”
Application
In prayer:
Don’t rush God
Don’t crush the process
Don’t despise small signs
Because:
Crushing kills faith.
Careful cultivates miracles.
Sometimes the greatest prayer is not:
“Lord, hurry.”
But:
“Lord, help me wait well.”
ASK, DON’T ASSUME
How: Create the opportunity for answers
Many believers assume:
“God already knows.”
“God sees my need.”
“God understands.”
Yes — He does.
But God responds not to need…
He responds to faith expressed through asking.
Unasked prayers remain unanswered prayers.
Blind Bartimaeus
Mark 10:46–52
Jesus stops and asks him:
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
Jesus already knows he is blind.
But He still asks.
Why?
Because God wants us to:
articulate our faith
define our desire
express our trust
Bartimaeus answers clearly:
“Rabbi, I want to see.”
Outcome
Jesus responds:
“Go… your faith has healed you.”
And immediately he receives sight.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find…”
John 16:24
“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
James 4:2
“You do not have because you do not ask God.”
Application
In prayer:
Stop assuming
Start asking
Be:
specific
honest
bold
Because:
Assumption is silent faith.
Asking is activated faith.
CONNECT, BEFORE YOU CORRECT
How: Relationship before instruction
Prayer is not first about fixing.
Prayer is first about fellowship.
Correction without connection creates resistance.
Connection creates transformation.
God changes us more through:
closeness
than through
criticism
Jesus and Peter after failure
John 21:15–17
Peter denied Jesus three times.
Jesus meets him on the beach.
He does not say:
“Why did you fail?”
“Where were you?”
“Explain yourself.”
He says:
“Simon… do you love Me?”
Three times — restoring the heart
before restoring the calling.
Only after connection does Jesus say:
“Feed My sheep.”
Outcome
Connection restored:
identity
confidence
leadership
destiny
Peter becomes the preacher of Pentecost.
Psalm 25:14
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him…”
John 15:4
“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you…”
2 Corinthians 3:18
“We are transformed… as we behold the Lord…”
Application
In prayer:
Don’t rush into fixing
First sit in God’s presence
Because:
God heals more in presence
than in pressure.
Sometimes prayer is not talking.
Sometimes prayer is simply:
being with Him.
IT IS THE HABIT THAT SHAPES EVERYTHING
Prayer is not just an event.
Prayer is a habit.
And habits shape outcomes.
When we pray with:
Curiosity → we see revelation
Carefulness → we see growth
Asking → we see answers
Connection → we see transformation
Jesus lived a life of power
because He lived a life of prayer habits.
OUR CHALLENGE
This week:
Be curious with God
Be patient with process
Be bold in asking
Be present before correcting
Because:
The habit of prayer
builds the heart
that can carry the power of God.
