Prayer is one of those things that I'm either really good at or really bad at, depending on the week. I was meditating on this and I think the root of my inconsistency stems from bad theology. All of us suffer the consequences of some sort of bad theology creeping into our brains at some point (Paul said that we all know in part.) In my case, the error I had let into my thinking was that prayer was some sort of supplement, an energy shot, a vitamin to boost my spiritual immune system. I don't believe I've purchased a new bottle of multi-vitamins in about 2 years. Why? Because I'm so inconsistent in taking the ones I've already got, that they haven't run out yet! Honestly, I don't really notice an appreciable difference when I fail to take them, and even if there were one, I'm doing alright without them, so the motivation to take them is pretty low. In my immaturity, I've often thought of prayer in a similar fashion: I know it's good for me, but I'm okay without it (or with the limited amount I get of it by hanging around the Church.) I've decided (and the word of God reveals) that this view on prayer is woefully insufficient.
We see plainly from the scriptures that the apostles and the early church as a whole devoted themselves to prayer, consistent, earnest, and intentional prayer. (Acts 1:4; Acts 2:42; Acts 3:1; Acts 4:31; Acts 6:4) But why? Why did men so filled with power, men who walked with Jesus and saw him resurrected need to spend so much time in prayer? Was it because they had so much to do, they needed that extra "supplement" of power and grace? I don't think so. Paul in his letters to the various churches regularly requested prayer. In fact, he pleaded for it. In 1 Thessalonians Paul encouraged the Church to "pray without ceasing". After telling the church at Ephesus of his constant intercession for them, Paul pleads again for their prayers over him.
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-19)
Even Jesus spent many nights toiling in prayer.
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 ESV)
I don't think Jesus pulled all nighters for kicks and giggles. I'm pretty sure that when he did so, it was because he needed to. Both Paul, and Jesus had a strong sense of need for the power and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This compelled them to devote themselves to prayer. Here's the rub: there is nothing that can be accomplished fully without the mercy, grace, and power of God - nothing. This is where my theology was askew. I thought that prayer, and time with God was supplemental to my life. The reality is that it's the very food and water I need to live. Jesus told the woman at the well to drink of him and never thirst again. He told his apostles that his body was true food and his blood true drink. What if we really viewed time with Jesus as totally indispensable? What if we understood that prayer was powerful and efficacious? (James 5:16.) What if we needed prayer not like a vitamin pill, but like food and water. How many days can you go without eating or drinking? I don't have the ability to fight off the devil, my own flesh, or the world. I just can't do it. I don't have the wisdom, grace, or power to accomplish the things God has set before me except that he gives me that wisdom, grace, and power. And if I'm understanding God rightly, then I know that the Sun only rises for my benefit because he graciously allows it to. Now, I don't have to thank him for it, but when I do, I'm bringing myself into alignment with the reality of his grace. When I lean on him as my only source of strength, then I'm taping into the greatest source of power in all the universe. And when I acknowledge my udder helplessness without him, then cycles of sin, dysfunction, and failure are broken by the power of God. I have to quite fighting in my strength, but cast all my cares on him, and then work diligently in all his energy (1 Peter 5:7; Colossians 1:29), experiencing grace in every area of my life. Then my struggle is just a matter of getting close to God, the source of life. The author of Hebrews spoke of being strengthened by grace, as the ultimate energy source for the human soul.
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.
(Hebrews 13:9 ESV)
Grace isn't a passive force, it is given commensurate to our need, expressed to God through prayer, devotion, and worship. Praise be to God that it's available, and waiting for us to pull up to the table and "taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)
By His Grace,
Brendan
