More Than Prayer

Prayer is more than _____________________.  Fill in the blank. It’s more than what?

It is more than a set of honey do’s for God. It is more than a list of ailments you would like healed. Prayer is more than a phone call checking in with the "Big Guy" to make sure all is well. Prayer is more than a tool to get things done.

Notice how those statements are framed. It may be assumed that prayer is related to these presumptions. It might be assumed these ‘more than’ statements are close to hitting the mark. Let’s be clear, prayer isn’t simply ‘more than’ those things. Prayer is beyond them and totally unrelated. These ideas regarding the sacred activity are wrong.

These expressions on prayer are more closely associated with pagan concepts of deity than they are with biblical teachings and God’s expectations. The manner of Christian prayer is taught to Christians by the Word of God and examples of mature brothers and sisters in Christ.

Prayer is asking something from God. And it is asking God by faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer is a pleading by faith that God would work. Prayer is a faith filled submission before God recognizing His ability and our inability. Prayer is filled with gratitude, as an expression of faith and rejoicing in what God has given in Christ. “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6–7, ESV)

Read this prayer from a saint of old who demonstrated faith-filled and gratitude laden prayer,    “I bless thee for the soul thou has created, for adorning it, sanctifying it, though it is fixed in barren soil; for the body thou hast given me, for preserving its strength and vigor, for providing senses to enjoy delights… I love thee above the powers of language to express, for what thou art to thy creatures.”  (Valley of Vision, Praise and Thanksgiving, pg. 26, 27)