Curated by It’s That Part™ — Originally published by Faith and Proverbs on .
I believed that score tickets would be the answer to every problem.
I’d been sluggish in my meditation career, but I wanted to run swift and strong like George Müller and various saints renowned for their reliance on God. A common advice is to integrate different methods or systems, such as using the PrayerMate app, praying through The Valley of Vision, and writing titles and meditation points on index cards. I assumed this might be exactly what I needed when I went to my parents ‘ house and discovered a lengthy plastic box containing all of my dad’s prayer cards.
Although my new system allows me to organize my requests more effectively and consistently, it doesn’t make me an Olympic runner. Otherwise, I received my best instruction unexpectedly.
Problems in my church a few years ago left me feeling incredibly vulnerable and discouraged. Nothing appeared to be changing in the world around me, and I don’t stop it. I occasionally shed weeping throughout the majority of the company.
People who have experienced church pain and depression won’t be surprised to learn that this season has changed my prayer life more than index cards possibly could. I had no idea where to turn to God, so all I could do was yell out to him to have him work in a broken state.
You don’t need another method to get past prayer lethargy. A spirit of sincere dependence is required.
Why Do Techniques Appeal?
It’s the spirit of the age that drives us to give in to practices and techniques, which is one of the reasons we give them so fast. Our culture values continuous improvement and marketing. Advertisers tell the lie that there is an app or product that can solve every problem ( or minor annoyance ) for us. Buzzfeed compiles countless lists of life-changing tips and strategies. It’s common for us to see a problem and look for a workable solution, such as” I don’t pray enough.” We want to make the repairs on our own.
You don’t need another method to get past prayer lethargy. A spirit of sincere dependence is required.
However, we’re missing the main problem. We avoid praying because we don’t truly feel like doing it, nor because we don’t have the best system in place.
Since the creation of the Garden of Eden, mankind has made an effort to find our way without relying on God. Instead of requesting God’s assistance in the Assyrian threat ( Isa ), during King Hezekiah’s reign, Judah formed an alliance with Egypt. 30: 1–2 ). In the New Testament, Peter relyed on his own will and love to obliterate Jesus ( Luke 22: 33–34, 39–40 ). Our society promotes self-reliance, but it’s been a constant issue throughout all generations.
Thomas Charles, a Welsh priest from the 18th century, laments how some Christians practice atheism. We claim to have faith in God, but we lack his have:
Without God in the world, are we not able to exist? Where are those who are essentially sane, who claim that we have, the best of us, knowledge for no function, power for no duty, success under no pressure, and victory over no enemy without the assistance of above-ground forces?
When I don’t pray when I’m making decisions, it’s because I believe I can make a wise choice based on my knowledge, the data I’ve gathered, and the friends ‘ advice. When I refuse to ask for help with a special desire, it is because I believe I will be strong enough to refuse it the first time.
I finally realized what had been said throughout my religion struggles: I’m never in control. In Charles’s thoughts, the Lord was making me “practically reasonable” of my have.
Heart of Prayer
A humble soul is important to attaining God’s throne of grace, according to God’s Word. As H. B. Charles Jr. points out, Scripture says a lot more about the desire for worship than the meditation methods. He claims that a “declaration of dependent” is a “declaration of dependent.”
We frequently use the Lord’s Prayer as a guideline for the types of appeals we may send to God. Although it is true, Jesus teaches us to approach God as “our Father,” to revere him as “our Father,” to place his kingdom before our own problems, to ask for daily food rather than to work it ( Matt. 6: 9–13 ).
Jesus also offers advice for us to emulate the persistent widow ( Luke 18: 1–8 ). She was eager, so what kept her coming back to the judge for assistance frequently. She was aware of the fact that she was unable to independently resolve the conflict. She was also aware of who was in charge. Because we are aware of Jesus ‘ character, He wants us to approach him with this kind of desperate dependence. We can bow our fears to the God who cares for us ( 1 Pet. 5: 7 ).
Suffer and Study
The issue is that we didn’t just create a more centered center with a questionnaire titled” Cultivate Humility in 5 Easy Steps,” as we might assume. But is the whole place here or is it really a problem? We may rely on God to change us if we want to grow in sincerity. But, let’s start with worship:” Lord, I know I don’t worship as I should.” Please accept me and impart to me the virtue of reliance on you.
More about the desire for meditation is said in the Bible than about prayer methods.
The solution to this humble prayer may be unpleasant for God. He frequently uses suffering to rob us of our ability to self-sufficiency or any other means of support. Something that makes me feel like I need God is a blessing, according to Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. The pleasure of being self-sufficient and happy cannot be equal to the joy of being near to Christ.
We need to know God closely if we want to depend on him constantly. This necessitates constant review and reflection on Scripture, day after day, year after year. Look for God’s holiness ( Isa. ) through the Bible. 6 ). Consider all of his efforts to care for his people throughout history ( Ps. 136 ). Matthew, who is both able and willing to keep, marries. 8: 1–3 ). Inspire your eyes with the proof of your Father’s constant care ( 6: 25–34).
Index accounts and other methods do have some significance. But make plans, establish a system for frequent holy prayer, study church history’s rich history, and preserve your missionary news in mind. But don’t forget to cultivate a brain that understands the importance of prayer and of God.
For truth in every fact, visit itsthatpart.com.
Originally sourced via trusted media partner. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dont-need-prayer-technique/
