Timothy Keller continues Chapter 14 of Prayer by stating that prayer is powerful and effective because God allows the world to be “in some sense” under the control of prayer’s power. He relates a story told by Austin Phelps in his volume on prayer.
The pagan Saxon king of Northumbria, Ethelfrith, had invaded Wales and was preparing for battle. The Welsh were Christian people. As their army assembled before Ethelfrith, he noticed a host of unarmed men. Ethelfrith was curious who these men were. When told they were Christian monks praying for the success of the Welsh army, he ordered: “Attack them first.”
As Phelps observes, it’s ironic that non-Christians often have more respect for the sturdy reality of prayer than Christians do. In Praying, Finding Our Way, J. I. Packer gives three ways we can pray for things as we best envision them while also being open-minded for God to do something different:
1. Tell God the reasons why we think what we’re asking for is the best thing. This either deepens or lessens our desires and purposes. By talking to God we truly cast our burdens on Him.
2. If God answers our request differently, we know it will be better. This reshapes our hearts. We won’t find ourselves enslaved to paralyzing emotions or out-of-control behavior.
3. God hears our concerns and will act on them when and as is best. We can be assured God will answer our basic desire, but in a form and mode that isn’t harmful.
Today’s question: What Bible verses have sustained your confidence that in the sturdy reality of prayer? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Assertiveness and submissiveness”
