I liked hearing what E.M. Bounds said, "Prayer in its highest form and grandest success assumes the attitude of a wrestler."
Some times it seems as if I've prayed for something for years only to get to the point that I'm frustrated and start a wrestling match with God, quite loudly and pointedly expressing how I feel or how desparate something is. Often I've finally received an answer, but have felt badly about my approach. When God is invisible, it feels like only I am voicing my side and not sure it was the correct way of praying. I liked being reminded that Abraham, Moses, Job, Jacob and even Jesus wrestled with God.
I also liked reading that prayer involves a relationship, it will take time to develop. As JEC begins an effort to be prayer warriors, I must remember that this relationship does take time.
Yancy reminds us that while on earth, Jesus became vulnerable, was tested and rejected. And in every situation, His reponse was prayer. Is that my response to all circumstances? Not always, I confess, but that is the goal of my faith.
Brian, Roxanna and Jana Wow, what powerful comments. Brian, thank you for your post. I pause and realize when I read your post that it is true...not taking our needs to Him is a statement that we think we can handle it ourselves. Roxanna, your comments are so well stated that I would think you are a professional writer! It is good to be reminded that Abraham, Moses, Job and Jesus wrestled with God...And thank you for the reminder that relationships take time and prayer is a relationship. Jana, I am encouraged to set the same goal you have that my response to all circumstances will be prayer. When I think about it, often my first response is to "react".
There are two quotes I found particularily thoughtful:
"Prayer is about conforming to the likeness of Jesus, growing in our intimacy with God, and becoming co-laborers with Him on the earth."
"75% of people surveyed claim to pray every day. However, most only pray for a few minutes and they typically do not find prayer satisfying. Three reasons are cited for this: (1) advances in science and technology diminish our perceived need for prayer since medicine and doctors and modern inventions are easily accessible; (2) prosperity enables us to circumvent prayer due to reliance upon our own talents and abilities; and (3) busyness subtly squeezes God our of our daily schedules."
I really enjoyed this summary. Now I have a new book on my list of things to get.
This summary reminds me that all good things will come to thoes who wait. Waiting for God is one of the hardest things for me. (I call it the "hurry up and wait" stage) It seems as if I have a timeline for God and if He can't meet it...well then I just do it my way...then it almost always fails instantly, unless I need to learn a lesson then it takes a minute or two before I fall on my face.
I also enjoyed the part about how God uses people. That reminds me that God will also use me to teach people, so I need to stay vigilant, always ready for God. (My friend tells me often that it can really sting when God uses someone to teach someone else a lesson.)
I have been witness to Gods great and redeeming glory. He has used me to show others that He is alive and well and does answer prayers. I guess I see God as I would a loving father. A loving father will not give their child everything they ask for...even if he could...it would spoil them beyond words. As a parent I watched my child struggle with a situtation and tried to intervene then I was told by a nine year old that if I di it for her she will never be able to do it for herself...wise words. I believe that God wants us to ask even when He already knows what we need...we need to know that we need Him.
I enjoyed the Phillip Yancey book summary, I liked the statement that was made ~~~"The challenge is to consciously move our inner dialogue Godward", thus inviting God into our every moment and activity. So much is out of our control in life, with God knowing the desires of our heart, by praying and reading his word, we show we are placing our trust in him ``that his will be done.
the summarie of philip yancey book prayer was good . the most important things i got from the summary was to approach a constant state of prayer . Another thing that helps me that was stated in the summary is "Only he who is helpless can truly pray" and working with that thought puts me in the right frame of mind to pray
one thing I learned from the book,
ReplyDeleteTo prayer unahamedly for ourselves, by not bringing our needs to Him we are in a sense telling Him we can handle our own problems.
I liked hearing what E.M. Bounds said, "Prayer in its highest form and grandest success assumes the attitude of a wrestler."
ReplyDeleteSome times it seems as if I've prayed for something for years only to get to the point that I'm frustrated and start a wrestling match with God, quite loudly and pointedly expressing how I feel or how desparate something is. Often I've finally received an answer, but have felt badly about my approach. When God is invisible, it feels like only I am voicing my side and not sure it was the correct way of praying. I liked being reminded that Abraham, Moses, Job, Jacob and even Jesus wrestled with God.
I also liked reading that prayer involves a relationship, it will take time to develop. As JEC begins an effort to be prayer warriors, I must remember that this relationship does take time.
Yancy reminds us that while on earth, Jesus became vulnerable, was tested and rejected. And in every situation, His reponse was prayer. Is that my response to all circumstances? Not always, I confess, but that is the goal of my faith.
ReplyDeleteBrian, Roxanna and Jana
ReplyDeleteWow, what powerful comments. Brian, thank you for your post. I pause and realize when I read your post that it is true...not taking our needs to Him is a statement that we think we can handle it ourselves. Roxanna, your comments are so well stated that I would think you are a professional writer! It is good to be reminded that Abraham, Moses, Job and Jesus wrestled with God...And thank you for the reminder that relationships take time and prayer is a relationship. Jana, I am encouraged to set the same goal you have that my response to all circumstances will be prayer. When I think about it, often my first response is to "react".
Thank you for your insights and enouragement.
There are two quotes I found particularily thoughtful:
ReplyDelete"Prayer is about conforming to the likeness of Jesus, growing in our intimacy with God, and becoming co-laborers with Him on the earth."
"75% of people surveyed claim to pray every day. However, most only pray for a few minutes and they typically do not find prayer satisfying. Three reasons are cited for this: (1) advances in science and technology diminish our perceived need for prayer since medicine and doctors and modern inventions are easily accessible; (2) prosperity enables us to circumvent prayer due to reliance upon our own talents and abilities; and (3) busyness subtly squeezes God our of our daily schedules."
I really enjoyed this summary. Now I have a new book on my list of things to get.
ReplyDeleteThis summary reminds me that all good things will come to thoes who wait. Waiting for God is one of the hardest things for me. (I call it the "hurry up and wait" stage) It seems as if I have a timeline for God and if He can't meet it...well then I just do it my way...then it almost always fails instantly, unless I need to learn a lesson then it takes a minute or two before I fall on my face.
I also enjoyed the part about how God uses people. That reminds me that God will also use me to teach people, so I need to stay vigilant, always ready for God. (My friend tells me often that it can really sting when God uses someone to teach someone else a lesson.)
I have been witness to Gods great and redeeming glory. He has used me to show others that He is alive and well and does answer prayers. I guess I see God as I would a loving father. A loving father will not give their child everything they ask for...even if he could...it would spoil them beyond words. As a parent I watched my child struggle with a situtation and tried to intervene then I was told by a nine year old that if I di it for her she will never be able to do it for herself...wise words. I believe that God wants us to ask even when He already knows what we need...we need to know that we need Him.
I enjoyed the Phillip Yancey book summary, I liked the statement that was made ~~~"The challenge is to consciously move our inner dialogue Godward", thus inviting God into our every moment and activity.
ReplyDeleteSo much is out of our control in life, with God knowing the desires of our heart, by praying and reading his word, we show we are placing our trust in him ``that his will be done.
the summarie of philip yancey book prayer was good . the most important things i got from the summary was to approach a constant state of prayer . Another thing that helps me that was stated in the summary is "Only he who is helpless can truly pray" and working with that thought puts me in the right frame of mind to pray
ReplyDelete