What Prayer Makes Us

I was recently asked to give a talk on the priority of prayer at a church men's retreat. I decided to take a somewhat different angle on prayer by asking what kind of person we become if we are truly praying. I hope it challenges your thinking.

If we really put a priority on prayer, we find that...

1) Prayer makes us weak. Prayer is always reminding us that we can accomplish nothing of importance apart from Christ. In John 15 Jesus said apart from Him we can do nothing!

2) Prayer makes you quit trying. In Luke 10 Jesus reminded Martha that the first priority is to develop a relationship with Christ. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being human "doers" rather than God-centered "beings."

3) Prayer makes you ignore reality. At least it forces you to acknowledge that this physical world isn't the only reality. Elisha in 2 Kings 6 asked God to reveal to his servant the real spiritual battle going on when it appeared all hope was lost.

4) Prayer makes you crazy. When we are praying, we begin catching God's vision and heart. We begin seeing what He wants to do through us. And we give up the straight-laced, sober and sad lifestyle that typifies many Christians. We replace it with a life that believes God for things that only He can do. People around us might even think there is something wrong with us.

Now, of course, I am taking a little "tongue-in-cheek" liberty with these descriptions. I am not suggesting a literal interpretation of these principles. I am only suggesting that they can get us to think. What kind of people would we really be if prayer was a priority for us?

Scripture: John 16:24 - "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Action Point: Is your prayer life making you seem a little odd, or do you just fit in with everyone else around you? In I Cor. 4:10 Paul delighted that others thought he was a fool for Christ.

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