Once again, we had the opportunity to consider a recorded prayer in the Bible when Dan Crichton preached from Ephesians chapter 1.
I think that all serious-minded Christians, at some point, begin to appreciate the tremendous value and power of prayer. The challenge is, I don’t know of anyone who feels as if they have mastered prayer or have no room for growth.
Those who don’t have a regular practice of prayer long to establish one, and those who do pray regularly are faced with their own immaturity, distractibility, selfishness (sleepiness!), and coldness of heart. We don’t know God as we ought to, and so we don’t pray as we ought to. We lack wisdom, and so we don’t always know what to ask for (James 4:3).
Recognising this sad reality in my own life, I appreciate every opportunity to receive teaching and the input of other Christians on the topic of prayer. So I trust that, by God’s grace, you might be edified by these few thoughts I now offer.
There has been much teaching on the topic of prayer at Brackenhurst Baptist Church, but as we discussed Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church again at Grace Group this week, I was struck by a thought which is both ridiculously simple and yet life-changing at the same time.
The thought came in the form of a question, and the question was simply this: How many prayers are recorded for us in Scripture? The answer must certainly be in excess of one hundred!
Most of the Psalms are prayers. There are prayers in the book of Daniel, and in the books of the Pentateuch. The New Testament epistles are full of prayers. The very pattern for prayer that the Lord Jesus gave to us is written down for us (Matthew 6:9–13).
We know that God is not like us. He has made us like himself in many respects, but he is far above us. He is exalted and majestic. He is infinite and transcendent. As a result of these attributes, along with the tremendous blessing that we have received through the new covenant—that we have been made a kingdom of priests unto God (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6) — we have the great privilege of being able to speak to him anywhere and at any time. We need not attend a certain location or come through an earthly mediator. We can approach him wherever and whenever we choose (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Much of the time we do this through audible words, and I think that this is a good and beneficial practice. How often do we read of men and women coming to faith as they inadvertently heard the prayers of a Christian parent, privately interceding on their behalf?
Much of the time we also pray silently, because God does not need vibrations travelling through air in order to know our thoughts.
A neglected method for prayer, however, certainly in my own life, has been through writing.
Our world is increasingly fast-paced and frenetic. We are flooded with data and information from every side. Next time you’re watching something on TV, take note of how often the camera angle changes, even for something as simple as an interview where the person being interviewed is sitting still.
I believe that this frantic and distracted lifestyle has been very harmful for the gospel. God, in his infinite wisdom, has chosen to reveal himself through the written and preached word, which requires us to slow down and focus.
One of the tactics of the devil has been to prevent us from slowing down and to keep us distracted; whenever he can do that, he can keep us away from the truth. Therefore, I look for ways to bring my body under control and focus not only my mind but also my heart upon that which is truly valuable, truly satisfying, and truly glorious. I am ever on the lookout for ways to promote the sort of meditative focus that is conducive to worship.
Writing is inherently slow. It is inefficient, and somewhat unexciting. Yet these qualities are so incredibly helpful when it comes to meditation on the word and a worshipful response to God.
I am persuaded that Christians ought not only to read and appreciate and learn from the prayers that God has caused saints of old to write down for us in the words of Scripture, but that we ought also to imitate these saints in writing out some of our prayers.
At the very least, this will be an aid to focus, and who knows how the Lord might use those written prayers in the lives of your family members after you have gone to be with the Lord? After all, many can testify to having their own prayer lives greatly enriched by reading the prayers of the Puritans in books like The Valley of Vision.
Be aware that the first time you try to do this you will be tempted to give up because of just how slow and inefficient it is. But let me encourage you to persevere. Is not cultivating a relationship with the Lord worth a bit of time and focus? Did Christ live on this earth righteously in your place for 33 years, and will you not find a few minutes to commune with him?
Writing brings a unique and helpful perspective because it allows you to see your thoughts in a way that you cannot do otherwise. In this manner, we can grow in the richness of our prayers as we pick up on lazy and repetitive phrases and words, and as we seek to respond to Scripture in prayer and pray beyond our immediate needs.
I’m excited and persuaded that, while written prayer ought not to make up the sum total of our prayers, embracing this medium could prove to be beneficial in ways we might not expect.
However you do it—whether it be through writing, or speaking, or just through silent thinking—may the Lord give grace, strength, perseverance and joy to each one of us as we seek to grow in our knowledge and love for him.
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