Mar
12
Written by:
PrayerBlogger
3/12/2008 3:20 PM
How about blogging on prayer? The prayer ministry at CedarCreek wanted to begin a blog where we could talk about prayer. How it works, how it doesn't. How it has affected you, how it hasn't. What can/should you expect from prayers, what you shouldn't. The good news to take a quote from Philip Yancey’s book, “Prayer – Does It Make Any Difference?”, “When it comes to prayer we are all beginners.” (Thank goodness for that!)
So we begin this prayer blog with the idea to discuss anything and everything about prayer. This particular blog is not intended to be for prayer requests. You can do that through the church’s main phone line at 419-661-8661 (ext. 120, if after hours) or by emailing it prayer@cedarcreek.tv. (Did you also know that if you need prayer support and an intercessor to pray for you, we have a prayer room at the Perrysburg campus and we man it after all of the regular services (Sat. 5:15 & 7 pm and Sun. 9 & 10:45 am and 12:30 pm). We also have prayer corners at our monthly new community services (except when we have baptisms).)
So what about prayer? About a year ago our men’s group was reading Yancey’s book mentioned above. I was all fired up about it, as I wanted to improve my prayer life and I figured Philip would have the answer. So I ate the book. (Not literally, I just read it much quicker than most 300+ page books…) By the time I got to the end, I knew a lot more about prayer, but I still didn't have the answer. I could empathize with him and his beginner’s prayer status.
I thought we would begin by weighing in on some of the questions he asks and spend a little time examining what he examined. So for starters, let’s take one more of his quotes and then a couple of his questions (right from the book cover).
“If prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer. Most of my struggles in the Christian life circle around the same two themes: why God doesn't act the way we want God to, and why I don't act the way God wants me to. Prayer is the precise point where these themes converge.”
DOES PRAYER CHANGE US OR GOD OR BOTH?
DOES PRAYER WORK? MORE PERSONALLY, DOES IT WORK THE WAY WE THINK IT SHOULD? WHAT CAN WE REALLY EXPECT FROM PRAYER?
So what about you? What do you think?
- Charlie McKnight
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5 comments so far...
Re: Blogging on Prayer
My experience is that God changes me through prayer. As I pray and journal about the things I am asking God, He has a way of impressing on me His heart in the matter. I usually come out having a different idea about my concern than I had going in. I do believe that while God has a set outcome, the journey by which I arrive at that outcome is influenced by my prayers. Prayer helps my align the desires of my heart with His.
By Lauri on
4/15/2008 9:56 AM
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Re: Blogging on Prayer
Prayer definitely changes the pray-er. Praying consistently for some one or some situation changes the praying person. God has a unique way of touching your heart with His compassion for the one or situation you consistently pray for.
I truly believe that prayer absolutely does move the heart of God, and that God waits, searching for those who will seek His Face and heart for others.
Does prayer work the way we think it should? Most of the time I find that my prayers are changing the way I perceive the person or situation, and my prayers end up prompting me to become personally involved on a practical level for the person or situation.
It is so faith building to "journal" prayers and "see"
God move in response to those prayers, although many times God's "answer" to our prayer is "wait." Or, sometimes, in His Wisdom, the answer is "no."
I believe that when we truly seek to humble ourselves and pray like Jesus prayed, that God hears every prayer and will answer according to His will and according to His timing.
By Barb on
4/15/2008 9:56 AM
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Re: Blogging on Prayer
In my experience, prayer changes me. I am sort of a verbal processor and so until I get my thoughts out where I can hear them when I'm talking to God, it's hard for me to sort things out. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit, God brings me to an understanding of His will in a situation. Often times He uses a devotional reading or the conversation of a friend to help me understand what He wants me to get. When I come to understand what He wants, then it seems to make sense to change in the direction He wants to take me. I also believe that God will change His action in response to my prayer, when it conforms to His plan. I think that sometimes as James says, I don't get because I don't ask. I try to inspect my motives before asking, but don't always. God is gracious and sometimes answers "Yes" anyway.
By Lauri White on
4/15/2008 9:56 AM
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Re: Blogging on Prayer
I can't understand why this blog isn't used! What could be more important to someone seeking a relationship with God than the subject of prayer?! Anyway, it seems to me that it is during prayer that God imparts grace into our souls. It DEFINITELY changes us.
By Puzzled on
4/15/2008 9:57 AM
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Re: Blogging on Prayer
I think prayer is one of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves and others. We tend to think of prayer as passive, but when you pray and get an answer it is a supernatural experience! We have a God who cares about us and loves to hear from us. In fact, His soul "delights" in hearing from us (Isaiah 42:1). I think prayer changes us, and I can see where it can work within effecting change in God's will. With all that power available to us what are we waiting for?!
By Jenny Diaz on
4/15/2008 9:57 AM
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