Issue 30 | Preparation for the end
Along with a few thoughts on prayer
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ISSUE 30 | KINGDOM HEARD
Preparation for the end
Diagnosed with terminal cancer and speaking a month before his death, a pastor was asked, “What would you do differently?” His reply, “Have more joy in this pilgrimage. Somehow I made the Christian life too hard. We do need to lay back, rest on the promises of God, and rejoice.”
A few thoughts on prayer
In a prayer meeting recently, I heard a statement from a brother, “We are commanded to pray.” And for him, this was reason enough to practice it. Yet I couldn’t help but find the answer incomplete.
As if to look at prayer as a triangle, believe it to be even on all sides, and say, therefore, the entire shape can be summed up by one length of the perimeter multiplied by three. It is side A — obedience — and therefore obedience on sides B and C as well. A crude drawing to illustrate.
Said another way, we are commanded to pray, so be motivated to pray by obedience. And if our obedience fails us, double and triple down on it, until we will ourselves into praying for the adequate length of time. Can we not see how from this position prayer will quickly turn into duty, obligation, and a burden? Slowly then we pray less frequently, in shorter duration, and struggle even at this reduced rate to find the time.
I am obviously exaggerating to make my point. But let it be said clearly — we need more than obedience if we are to be a continuous, fervent, effective praying people.
What is missing? Let us come back to our triangle.
We may keep our first side. A = obedience. However, obedience alone cannot sustain us. For that reason, let us make every effort to supplement our obedience with these two:
Side B = desire.
Side C = dependence.
Obedience: We are commanded to pray, so let us obey.
Desire: We want to pray, to be alone with Him, to enter into His presence, to commune, so let us pray.
Dependence: We need to pray, to receive answers, help from above, and for His promises to be proven true and brought to pass. So, let us pray.
When we possess these three qualities and in increasing measure, then our prayer lives will become more vibrant, powerful, and continuous. For if our obedience fails us, our desire steps in. And if desire stumbles, our dependence, that great and desperate need we feel, keeps us steady.
Do you lack obedience? Or perhaps desire is fleeting? Or do you not feel the need, thinking most of life is actually quite accomplishable on your own strength, wisdom, and merit? Then make your missing side the object of prayer.
You have obedience? Great, then add to that desire. You have desire? Then add obedience. Whatever your lack, bring it before Him, asking in faith, and He shall richly supply your every need. And in this providing, He may just reveal even more so how much you do in fact need Him every hour.
In love,
Derek