1 Thessalonians 5:17
In the realm of “Christian” writing, there is virtually no
other subject with the volume of tomes written about it as there is on the subject of prayer. We have books on everything from "name it and claim it..." to transcendental meditation.
What is prayer for the Christian believer? How does it work?
Why do we do it? What should it sound like? Prayer for the Christian should be no small matter. It is our gift through the redemptive work of our Lord; our access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16) that can only be obtained through the Son. (John 14:6) Unbelievers do not have this amazing gift - and yet we belittle, demean, ignore, and squander it!
Personally, I fall short in this area with a frequency that is alarming. I find myself praying at various times throughout the day, but it is almost entirely limited to my needs. (In particular, forgiveness and resisting temptation.)
There is certainly no magic formula that will cover us in prayer – no perfect incantation to insure that our prayers are answered to our specific liking or desire. Still, we are called to pray(er) hundreds of times throughout the Word of God. Paul certainly trusted in the effectiveness of the prayers of believers. (Phil 1:19) We too can trust in the power or prayer.
From R.C. Sproul's new book on prayer:
One of the most frequently asked questions in the theology of prayer is, "Does prayer change things?" The answer is evident. The New Testament makes it clear that prayer changes all kinds of things. . . . But the most important thing it changes is us. As we engage in this communion with God more deeply and come to know the One with whom we are speaking more intimately, that growing knowledge of God reveals to us all the more brilliantly who we are and our need to change in conformity to Him. So prayer changes us profoundly.
There are really only two rules that you have to keep in mind when you're in prayer, two things that should drive and govern and control your prayer life with the Almighty. You should remember who is being addressed and who is doing the speaking. That is, the first thing you are to remember in prayer is who it is you're talking to, because nothing will condition your prayer life more deeply than remembering that you're in conversation with God, the sovereign Creator and ruler of the universe. Second, you are to remember who you are. You are not God. You are a creature. So prayer is not a conversation between peers; it is not a fireside chat among equals. This is the creature speaking to his sovereign Creator.
We (Christians) take prayer too lightly and often forget whom we address in prayer. Granted, we have been given access to the Father through the Son but as Sproul points out, "...it is not a fireside chat among equals." Likewise, it is not merely something that we say before "second breakfast" as a mere blessing for our food.
Prayer is a tool, given to us by God and powerful to affect change. As Christians, we must always keep in mind that we come to God trusting in His providence and care - not our ability to somehow manipulate Him for our own purposes.
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