Prayer: Does It Make A Difference

I've been reading, rather listening to the audio book, of Phillip Yancy's Prayer: Does It Make A Difference? I'm about a 1/3 of the way through the book but thus far, Yancy has brought some phenomenal points to light regarding prayer.

One of the most convicting ideas I have pondered with reading the premises in Yancy's writing is the idea of "asking God for things". Yes, we all know we shouldn't just send up a "want list" to the heavenly Santa, but what do we pray for?

Our church has a weekly prayer list we publish. The intentions of our church family are good but review the list. Although truly there are persons and situations in great need, how do our prayers compose themselves?

God, heal Johnny, save Suzie, change our church, make us stronger, smarter, wiser ..... do you see the trend here .... We are telling GOD what to do. I'm just as guilty. Even in my most humble and heart centered prayers, I plea for God's healing in my own life, preparation of my children and protection of my family.

Yancy correctly identifies that most of our prayers are from Earth to Heaven instead of Heaven to Earth. God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Why then should I, the mere spec, tell God what to do, who to heal and how to change me?

Why do we ask others to pray for us? Do we think God might change His mind? Do we think that God might more hear the prayers of many over the prayers of a few? Is petitioning God like petitioning the government? If we can get enough people to ask for things, we can change the course of the future?

Even Jesus pleaded to God in great despair and misery. The night of His arrest, he retreated to Gethsemane, begging his disciples to be mindful in prayer of the upcoming events. He fell to the ground groaning to God to change His mind and take away the great pain that lie ahead. Were his pleas an empty request to God? Was His emotion and turmoil all in vain? Yancy illustrates our pleas to God often help us release our own personal resistance to God's will. From that moment and release of Christ's personal emotions, we watched as Jesus became a peaceful and willing pawn in the trials, suffering and crucifixion that played out for own salvation.

I went back to Matthew to reread the Lord's Prayer, for this is how Christ taught us to pray. I love how The Message gives this passage.

The Message (MSG)
Matthew 6:9-13
View commentary related to this passage
7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.

I always have a lot to learn from God and his fantastic ways. I'm attempting this week to alter my prayers to more of a God Centric conversation instead of a Me Centered conversation. Focusing on God's Will over my desires and needs.

Thank you God for this awareness in my life!