Thinking About Prayer
“God himself may draw vital strength and increase of very being from our fidelity. I do not know what the sweat and blood and tragedy of this life may mean, if they mean anything short of this. If this life be not a real fight, in which something is eternally gained for the universe by success, it is no better than a game of private theatricals…. But it feels like a real fight—as if there was something really wild in the universe which we are needed to redeem…” – William James
I am thinking quite a bit about prayer these days. Sadly I confess that up until this time traditional prayer has not been a huge factor in my life. Oh, I preach and teach about it. I practice it as a religious ritual, and haltingly seek its discipline with rare comfort. Prayer can be defined in many ways. If it be a seeking of God, I guess I am as good about it as the next guy. If it is communion with God, then it is a struggle. And, if it be the rote discipline of spending a set number of minutes/hours per day in a set practice, then I am sorry at it indeed.
Much of this struggle with prayer is wrapped around my concept of God. I regard God to be personal but also all-powerful. So I understand He desires and even strives for fellowship with me. Thus, the need for prayer. But why must my conversation with God be centered upon verbalization? A mature connection of two persons often is benefited, and even enhanced, with fellowship without words.
But, what about intercessory prayer? Since God is all-powerful, and since He loves me and enjoys my connection with Him, then I feel almost compelled to intervene with Him on behalf of the world around me. Like a child asking his daddy to help a friend, so I want to approach God. Yet, is not God all wise and all knowing? I have been taught there are no limitations to God. Therefore, is it not presumptuous of me to conclude that the mighty God needs my prayers to take care of this comparatively puny universe?
Unless…. What if God, in His incomprehensible love for the human creature, has granted to me the amazing capacity of causality? God certainly can do all miracles and right all wrongs with but the twinkling of an eye. But He chooses to limit Himself, and to do His work through humanity. Therefore, frail, imperfect little people like myself are allowed a marvelous partnership with God in what happens in our world. And, thus enters the privilege and responsibility of intercessory prayer. As I pray, so God will work. It is not a manipulation of God, but a humble and obedient participation with Him. There is a proper way to pray, and appropriate things to ask. Still, prayer moves the hand of God, who moves the world.
Before me, on my desk, is a list of persons with lots of needs:
Our President certainly needs wisdom
Sick and injured need comfort, resources, and healing
Many need jobs
Scores need to know God
The list is extensive and rather specific. Should I believe that my prayers, equally specific, will truly make a difference- then I can with confidence approach God on their behalf.
Do you believe in prayer?
05.04.09 (10:32 am) [
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posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
05.04.09 (10:57 am)
oh my!! Unequivocally YES!!
and, intercessory prayer is well laid out in Scripture, as you well know.
I think that your idea, well, we don't KNOW the mind of God, but we constantly strive to be amenable to God's plan, even tho we know not what it may be....
I think perhaps, you may be right. I think of course, God COULD in fact, fix everything. But I also believe that He needs us to believe, to have faith, and to actually ASK for His intervention.
Therefore, I believe, (purely personal, no drama, no discourse, no arguments needed), that God does in fact, WANT us to pray. Want us to pray for others. Want us to pray for the state of the world, the state of our leaders, and the states (collectively) of our souls.
as always, IMHO
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
05.04.09 (11:59 am)
Sometimes it takes a lot of trust or faith to pray...praying for someone for over 20 years, and no results yet...so keep praying!! There will be!!!
Perhaps a test of my faith,trust or of my resolve?
Much prayer I believe becomes wordless, but to experience it when just one or two words tells the whole situation to him is something else!!
I'd like to experience more of that! Yah I do have a couple set prayer times where I do intercesary prayer, Bible reading etc. but I believe the longest prayer is the many times throughout the day when my thoughts turn to Him!!
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
05.04.09 (1:16 pm)
I don't believe prayer should be reserved for asking for God's intervention when one is in need. It should be used to praise and give thanks first and foremost.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.05.09 (7:40 am)
Reply to: fractalmom
You have stated succinctly what I am trying to say, that God actually needs for us to ask for His intervention. It is amazing and humbling that the Almighty would grant to litte-old-me such a vital role in His work. As you can see from all the commas and run-on sentences, this article has been written on the go, thoughts into words without much consideration for clear communication. Thanks for comprehending!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.05.09 (7:41 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Certainly. It is ongoing conversation. But, you connect with an important matter of human nature, that we tend to limit prayer to just asking for help in time of need. Myself included!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.05.09 (7:44 am)
Reply to: barnabus1
I think of the story in the Bible, where Hannah is before the High Priest. Her lips are moving, and she is in great emotional anguish, but no words are being verbalized. Eli thinks she is drunk. She tells him that her heart is broken. I'm glad God can and does hear such cries from the heart, prayers that are beyond words.
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
05.05.09 (5:12 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
I am in agreement, with (of course LOL, cause it's me...) a caveat.
Our Saviour said....pray the following
Our Father, Who are in Heaven....(hello, I'm here)
Hallowed be Thy Name (praise and glory be to you God)
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done (I will defer to You in all things, and await Thy coming)
On earth as it is in Heaven. (I will follow your wishes as you make them known to us down here).
Give us this day our daily bread (Please give me what I need, not necessarily what I want)
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us (teach me to be more like You)
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Keep me on the straight and narrow, make me strong to walk in Your Ways...and keep me away from Satan and all his minions)
for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory, now and forever, Amen (Again,I give Praise and Worship to You, Almighty Lord)
So, whenever and whatever I pray, I begin as Jesus taught us......
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
05.05.09 (5:14 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
why thanks PD!! Although, I have never, stated anything succinctly in my entire life ROFLMAO
posted by:
PooPotPie (
reply)
post date:
05.07.09 (8:02 pm)
I believe in prayer more now than I ever have. I learned a hard lesson not too long ago. The lesson was that God is incharge and not me. I have learned that prayers are answered when God is ready and when you stop trying to set things up for God. He is the almighty.
posted by:
tampi (
reply)
post date:
05.08.09 (7:50 pm)
praying on behalf of others or asking others to join us in praying adds more power or meaning to the prayer because collectively when we do something results are there
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
05.12.09 (3:31 pm)
Wow, I'm more advance than Hannah! Who knew? Not only can I read without moving my lips, but I can pray silently too, without even mouthing the words. Of course, I have no idea if God's paying attention, but I sure hope he/she/it is.
