How Not To Pray

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Recently I was up against a situation over which I had no control.  All I could do was pray, and ask others to pray with me.  Prayer changes things.  Sometimes circumstances, sometime us, often both.  I know that sincerity is important, that God knows the heart behind the words that are uttered.   I know that ultimately I want to pray for His will (no matter how persistent my own is at getting in the way).  And I realize, as I wonder if enough people are praying in this situation, that the purpose of prayer is not to convince God to do things He was not planning to do, as much as it is to help me step into what He is already doing.  Life is messy.  God is in the business of clean up.  He is not however in the business of taking orders, that is my job.  I can commune with Him about the mountains I want moved, His hand alone moves mountains; but He moves them according to His will and the riches of His grace, not according to the whether or not I have enough people lined up at just the right time on my prayer chain.  Sometimes He moves mountains, sometimes He carries us over them.  Sometimes according to our timetable, always according to His.  He is a good Father, seated on His Heavenly throne on high.  His is the power, and the honor, and the glory forever.  Let us not underestimate or underutilize the privilege of prayer.

 

“..The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”  James 5:16 (ESV)
                             

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