Growing in Prayer

In much of the church's life in the twentieth century, however, both in Evangelical and non-Evangelical circles, the place of prayer has become limited and almost vestigial.  The proportion of horizontal communication that goes on in the church (in planning, arguing, and expounding) is overwhelmingly greater than that which is vertical (in worship, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession).  Critically important committee meetings are begun and ended with formulary prayers, which are ritual obligations and not genuine expression of dependence- when problems and arguments ensue, they are seldom resolved by further prayer but are wrangled out on the battlefield of human discourse.  The old midweek prayer meetings for revival have vanished from the programs of most churches or have been transformed into Bible studies ending with minimal prayer.

This was the picture in much of the American church until recently, and it is still almost universally the case in some instruments and organs of the churches which have to do with teaching and administration.  Why has this come about?  Perhaps it stems partly from the deficient teaching and emphasis on God himself throughout the church, and partly from the man-centeredness of much religious activity.  Deficiency in prayer both reflects and reinforces inattention toward God.

Richard Lovelace,  Dynamics of Spiritual Life, 153.

Amen, Richard Lovelace.  Amen.

And Jesus said,

"My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations, 

but you are making it a den of robbers." 

Matt. 21: 13

It is so easy to forget the importance of prayer.  Prayer is our walkie-talkie (cell phone in today's terms) from the front lines of the battle to the command station.  It is our vital communication pathway with our Leader, our Lord, our King.  It tells us which way to go, what to watch out for, and what to do.  It is our most important spiritual discipline to tie us to the love of God in Christ

Ironically, most Christians don't see prayer this way.

Prayer is a moment of reflection about what we are thankful for.  It is often ignored for more important things.  Yet, in an emergency, it is something we fall naturally into.  It becomes our life-line.

What if we actually believed that every day is an emergency?  If everyday we understood the frailty of life, the spiritual dynamics of our existence, and the reality of God's presence to lead and guide that is available moment by moment?

Everything in the last paragraph is incredibly true.

So what can we do about it?  How about first take an inventory of where you are as an individual and as a church?

What is your prayer life like?  Do you come before the Living God and pray like your life depends upon it?  Are your prayers mostly brief and about you and your needs?  Have you learned how to listen to God's leading?

What about your church?  Do you as a body of Christ come before the Living God and pray like your life depends upon it?  In our busy culture the Wednesday evening prayer meeting has often gone by the wayside.  Does your church have other groups that meet together for the primary purpose of prayer?  Does your church encourage such groups?

If you did not answer positively some of these questions, then repent of your unbelief, take some time to talk to God about what gets in the way of prayer, and then make up your mind to find someone to guide you into deeper prayer and reflection.

These people are out there!  Lord, help us find them, encourage them, make them our leaders and guides so they can help us seek and walk with You in deeper ways!  Teach us to pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us for we talk too much and listen too little.