Prayer is a gift. It happens simply because of God’s grace that enables me and calls me to approach Him. Therefore, I should not think of prayer as something I can master, or should attempt to master. Mastering prayer or being skilled in prayer sounds like it is another aspect of me trying to be in control of something. If prayer is foremost a gift of grace, certainly it travels way beyond being a necessary religious task to be ‘mastered,’ or something that has to lend itself in some way over time to be measured. Furthermore, it is not something that has to be controlled, or in my power to develop. This kind of prayer is certainly not relational, but technical. This is a human-governed form of prayer with its end fixed ultimately on self. Prayer is the pursuit of God. It is the genuine movement of God and me walking together, living together, and being in communion together. God is offering Himself to me. He desires me. This truth captivates me. Everything else is still in the realm of priority when prayed with the right motives, but it is secondary, or a byproduct. Jeremiah 29:12 and 13 stir in my thoughts when God says clearly, “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Therefore, I can appropriately expect from prayer, foremost, God’s voice, God’s presence, and God Himself. What is your prevailing view of prayer? Is your current life of prayer one that has changed over time? If so, why did it change? Would like to re-approach the whole matter of prayer?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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