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Purpose of Prayer
Prayer that Works? Really? How many times have you heard people say something like, "keep praying because it really works?" Works?
Sometimes we find ourselves saying things like that because we have forgotten how insulting it would be if people used language like that to describe our relationship with them. How would it sound if someone said to you, "I need to keep talking to you because it really works?" Works? Now if by "works" you mean, this is a great way for me to really get to know you well, that would be OK. But when talking becomes a means to some other end (especially in times of worry or crisis) . . . it becomes a method we use to "get something" when all other options have been exhausted, rather than as a means of communication that is primarily about getting to know someone.
What if prayer is not something we do in order to get God to do something for us or for someone else? What if prayer is something we do as a way of getting to know God better? What if prayer is the means by which we enter into an intimate conversation with a Person, sharing what is on our heart, listening for what is on God's -- touching and being touched by the heart of God? As much as we love the way that God responds to what we share with Him, and to the requests we may make in the course of such conversations, it would be truly tragic if we were to come to think of prayer more as means of getting God to respond to what we want, than as a way of connecting with God so that what we can more fully appreciate Who God is, and, put ourselves in a place where we might actually respond by coming more into harmony with what God wants.
What if the purpose of prayer was more about allowing God to more fully change us, than finding ways to get God to change things according to what we want? What if it was more about being with Someone, than what someone might do for us? What if prayer "working" was measured more by intimacy than results? How might this shape what we mean when we talk about knowing that God our prayers and responds to them?
God says, "Be still and know that I am God." Sometimes it is when we are silent and attentive that prayer is the most powerful and God speaks the most clearly.
This week, Pastor Jon explores with us what it means for prayer to be mostly about knowing God. If you would like to listen once again to his thoughts on this (or perhaps for the first time) you can access our sermon library by clicking here.
Psalm 46:10 (TNIV)
“Be still, and know that I am God . . ."
John 17 (TNIV)
1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. . . Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them . . .
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.
Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Dynamics of Prayer
When was the last time you let yourself be loved for who you are, not for who you should be? - Brennen Manning
Interesting Story
A rich industrialist from the Northeast was horrified to find a southern fisherman lying lazily beside his boat. “Why aren’t you fishing?” the industrialist asked. “Because I have caught enough fish for the day,” said the fisherman. “Why don’t you catch some more?” the industrialist replied. “What would I do with them?” the fisherman responded. Then the industrialist stated, “Well, you could earn more money. Then you could have a motor fixed to your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. That would give you enough money to buy some nylon nets. Then you would have enough money to buy two boats, maybe even a whole fleet.” The fishermen asked, “What would I do then?” The industrialist replied, “You could really enjoy life.” The fisherman replied, “What do you think I am doing right now?”
(from: Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, Anthony DeMello)
Questions for Reflection: As you reflect on your own prayer life, your expectations when you pray, and your own relationship with God, how does seeing prayer as being primarily about intimacy with God enhance or challenge your walk with God? What questions does this raise that you would like to explore further?
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