From birth we have been learning the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle to achieve self-sufficiency. Prayer flies in the face of those deep-seated values. It is an assault on human autonomy, an indictment of independent living. To people in the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer is an embarrassing interruption.
Prayer is alien to our proud human nature. And yet somewhere, someplace, probably all of us reach the point of falling to our knees, bowing our heads, fixing our attention on God and praying. We may look both ways to be sure no one is watching; we may blush; but in spite of the foreignness of the activity, we pray.
Bill Hybels, To Busy Not to Pray, 9
How is your prayer life today? So many of us believe in prayer and talk about prayer. We might even do a bit of it. Yet, we struggle to maintain a life marked by consistent prayer. I know I sure do!
Why? Hybels is onto something here. Self-reliance and self sufficiency. Human autonomy and independent living. At the center of our rebellion against God is our lack of faith/trust. Prayer, if done right, forces us to reject the way of our prideful flesh so we might depend on the True source of strength.
Why? Hybels is onto something here. Self-reliance and self sufficiency. Human autonomy and independent living. At the center of our rebellion against God is our lack of faith/trust. Prayer, if done right, forces us to reject the way of our prideful flesh so we might depend on the True source of strength.
Yet, the Lord calls us to develop our dependence upon Him. Why are we so weak a witness in the world today? Because somehow we have lost that understanding that true transformation, true ministry, and true life comes from simple dependence.
Prayer is the conduit of God's power into the world. It is directly related to our faith since from faith springs all prayer.
Prayer is the conduit of God's power into the world. It is directly related to our faith since from faith springs all prayer.
As someone once said (perhaps Hudson Taylor?), "When we work, we work; when we pray, God works." As I conclude a week, I want God to work! I need God to work.
How about you? Are you ready to repent of your self-effort and come to the Father in dependence? Are you ready to take the next step of faith? I encourage you this weekend to pray about it!
How about you? Are you ready to repent of your self-effort and come to the Father in dependence? Are you ready to take the next step of faith? I encourage you this weekend to pray about it!
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