Do you pray? The question is not whether you say a few perfunctory words over your meals or repeat a ritual at bedtime. Nor is my inquiry about those moments of desperation when even agnostics beg God for favor. Winston Churchill, England’s Prime Minister who led that nation through the 2nd World war, was a man without a living faith, by his own profession. Once in a conversation with President Roosevelt he said, “I ask God to protect us on the field of battle.” When I ask about prayer, I am urging an unending conversation with God, which is the heart of real prayer!
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear; all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” That line from the hymn is the truth. Prayer is the primary work of the disciple. A disciple who does not pray is bereft of strength, cut off from his Father. One who prays will overcome temptation, will see God’s purposes fulfilled, and will live with greater peace. If those things are true, then why do so many disciples pray so poorly, so little?
In the book, Longing for God, Fosters explores the writings of many Christians for pathways of devotion. In a chapter that explores some of the writing of Thomas Aquinas, a Christian of the 13th century, he includes these insights from Aquinas’ Summa Theologica about some mistakes that keep us from praying effectively.
First is the erroneous belief ‘that the world operates independently of God.’ The deists of the 18th century firmly believed in the existence of God, but they also thought that He left the world on its own. The common illustration among them was that God was like a Clockmaker who built and wound the device, then stepped away to let it run. So, they believed the Creation was self-sustaining and without God’s intervention. Are you a functional deist, disciple? In your heart, do you think that God has left us to our own wits and wisdom, to work it the best we can on our own? If this is your mindset, you will not pray well!
Second, is the ‘error to believe that everything is fixed.’ If everything is pre-determined, if the course of our lives are set, then to pray for change is absurd, an exercise in futility.
Third, there is the error of believing that ‘God changes His mind.’ Certain passages of the Scripture, if read superficially, could bring us to this conclusion. Then, too, many are gripped by a selfish desire to beg God to ‘soften the consequences brought into life by our own actions. Aquinas teaches that we must accept that God’s will has ultimate purpose. Once we settle this matter, we recognize that prayer is a secondary cause in which God invites us to join with Him in accomplishing His purposes. Through prayer we work to sort out what role we will play as secondary agents in God’s primary purposes.’ This is what Jesus teaches us in His words in John 15. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ... If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." (NIV)
To think of prayer only as a time to present our ‘wish list’ to God, a begging session to try to get Him to do what we want Him to do, is to make this high and holy occupation much less than it is. Yes, our Father tells us to bring our petitions to Him boldly. But, Jesus also reminds us that if He provides for sparrows, we of much greater value than a bird, can rest assured in His care as well. Then he tells us the true focus of prayer is to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33, NIV) The Message is rich in amplifying this text: "Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Go back and re-read that line a few times! Then ask yourself: do my prayers reveal a heart and mind that is totally oriented around God, loving Him, knowing Him, serving Him?
Prayer is work, first in importance for the true disciple. That is why the Word urges us to ‘pray without ceasing.’ There will be formal petitions, quiet contemplation, tears of desperation, and words of adoration. There will be lengthy times alone with God, urgent words spoken in the middle of life’s messes, and patient waiting through times when He appears silent. All this, and more, is prayer.
The one constant is that prayer is not about me or you, but about Him; about knowing Him, about learning to live in the center of His will. Prayer, rightly focused, enables us to ‘understand what God is doing and how we can join with Him. Thus, we become co-participants with God. His will sets everything in motion. Our will, directed by prayer, allows us to participate in His purposes.” (Longing For God, Foster, IVP, 2008)
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What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do Thy friends despise forsake Thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He'll take and shield Thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Scriven, Joseph M. / Converse, Charles C.
© Public Domain
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