Prayer Isn't

We have some popular misconceptions about prayer. They come from a host of places other than the Bible and Jesus’ teaching. Yes, prayer on some level includes pleading with God. Prayer is not asking God to perform our will. At least, that is not effective prayer, nor what Jesus teaches us in regard to petitioning God.

If all prayer is for us is rubbing a magic lamp to gain access to our three incontrovertible wishes, we have missed the boat. That is the essential purpose behind magic and the fertility cult practices from the backdrop surrounding Ancient Israel. Yes, we are to make our desires known in prayer, but then we are to back off from them as Jesus portrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

The gospel reading in the lectionary for next Sunday is another case in point. The disciples come up to Jesus, saying, “Please say ‘Yes’!” Jesus does not fall for than any more than the wise parent of a preeschooler does. Once they have presented a more fleshed out request, Jesus turns their attention to the problems with their request, along with a new direction regarding what they should really be seeking.

Suddenly, their petition to Jesus turns on its face. There is no promise by Jesus that they would receive their original request. They are told a little about just how misguided it was. Mainly, however, Jesus then redirects their attention to a concept he had been setting before them for several chapters in Mark’s gospel. They needed to place themselves in an attitude of service, not of being served.

Prayer isn’t wielding power over God.

Prayer isn’t forcing our will by an appeal to the Highest Power.

Prayer isn’t setting ourselves up according to our preference.

Prayer isn t rubbing a magic lamp to wield God’s power as a jinn.

Prayer isn’t making God a slave to our whims and desires.

Prayer is rather seeking God’s audience with God in which we fully expect God to rearrange our lives and attitudes in accordance with God’s will. Anything less than that is a declaration that we do not trust God’s love, grace, and goodwill towards us.

After all, no one died and made me God. I have no business attempting to tell God what to do. I am, however, invited to share even my faulty desires and requests that God might offer me the redirection I so desperately need.

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as also in heaven.” God’s will, not my own. That is what petitionary prayer should really be about. It’s for my transformation, not fulfilling my petty wish list. Don’t I trust God to know better than I do, anyway?


— ©Copyright 2021, Christopher B. Harbin

http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/

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