Prayer
Was just reflecting about prayer and how we have used them as Christians. I know that there's always this picture painted that prayer is used as a
1) Ministry resource(Not enough manpower, let's pray!),
2) A personal crisis management system(I'm sick, let's pray!, i have no more money, let's pray!),
3) A decision making system that most of the time, is already decided before we pray due to our emotional make. (Should i buy the shirt? Yes?.... *pause* YES!)
4) A sin/guilt damage control
Yes. These are genuine cases to bring up to the Lord and God definitely answers them! However, if prayer is seen to only be used in these instances, it greatly reduces the power and impact it brings! It is inadequate and shortchanging!
Prayer enlarges our capacity for spiritual hunger! Now, it is a reminder that we can do nothing except through Him. (John 15:5)
Well, what does that entail?
Until we can fully grasp the fact that we have nothing, can't do anything and am desperate for His presence in our lives, we have not prayed prayers but said prayers.
For that very moment u think your education, wealth, resources, friends, abilities can suffice or that you have the answers for what is before u now, you do not know prayer.
Let's look at Jesus: (Taken from Edmund Chan's "Growing deep in God")
1) He commenced His ministry with prayer and fasting (Matthew 4:1)
2) His priority of prayer is seen in His habit to wake up while the sky's still dark to pray (Mark 1:35)
3) He began His ministry with 40 days of fasting and praying in the wilderness
4) His public ministry was His 12 disciples and He saturated that with much prayer
5) Just before He called the 12, He commenced His discipling ministry with an overnight prayer! (Luke 6:12-13)
6) There were many instances of Him being alone, praying.
If Jesus centers His life in prayer, who are we, seriously to even contemplate for a moment that we can do ANYTHING without it but with the talents/giftings given to us!?
Let's look at Matthew 9:37 - "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.."
Jesus gave the solution to that immediately. He said, "Therefore, Beseech the Lord to send out workers into His harvest."
He did not say, "Therefore, let's have a recruitment launch to get more people!"
Where have we placed our emphasis when we're praying. On ourselves or on God?