The Topic of prayer

If you were anything like me a few years ago, praying might have felt like this to you:

'Common' give me what I want - this isn't what I wanted at all!

OH NO  - BACKFIRE - ABORT, ABORT!'

Or maybe sometimes like this:

#bliss #couldbesleeping

Or even this:

*Am I doing this right?
*How does this work?

I have heard many things during youth group, as an attendee and as a leader, that prayer was something along the lines of "talking to God," "asking for help/guidance," more or less talking at God. Whilst attending Briercrest and Hillcrest, the theme of "Hearing from God" has become a huge focus... it's as if we've done enough "talking to God" and are now wanting Him to "speak back to us," and "tell/guide us in what we ought to be doing."

Prayer started making more sense after taking Discipleship and Evangelism class in the Spring of this year. One of the class books we had to read was "Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God" by J.I. Packer (2008); funny enough, prayer was a main theme in this book.

J.I. Packer wrote with great conviction and assurance on the Christian standing of prayer is the belief in God's sovereignty. He says, "if you  are a Christian, you pray; and the recognition go God's sovereignty is the basis of your prayers. In prayer you ask for things and give thanks for things. Why? Because you recognize that God is the author and source of all the good that you have had already, and all the good that you hope for in the future" (pg. 15).

Turns out, we can pray without realizing we are trusting in the sovereignty of God (I am speaking from personal experience), but this also means we are that much more at odds with how God will or will not answer our prayers. We cannot place good enough trust in Him because we fail to grasp the sovereignty and love of God.

Hence the "Reassuring Quote" from Carl Hinderager could come off as harsh or insensitive to some. When you don't realize the sovereignty and love of God, the prayers that seem to go unanswered, or not answered 'right,' could damage the relationship.

HOWEVER, it was this quote from Packer that changed everything for me when it came to prayer, "The prayer for a Christian is not an attempt to force God's hand, but a humble acknowledgment of helplessness and dependence" (pg. 15). 

At this point someone may be thinking, "but what about people who fast, and/or pray day after day, for hours on end for something or someone? Isn't that trying to force God's hand?" 
- Well, it could be if that's what you think it takes for God to hear and answer you, however, if you're a praying person and recognize the sovereignty and love of God then this might answer your question:

"Men of prayer and women of prayer will agonize before God for something that they know is according to his will, because of some definite promise on the page of Scripture… [after some time] the Holy Spirit reveals to them in no uncertain way that God has granted their request. They are then confident that they need no longer send up any more petitions to God about the matter” (The Kneeling Christian, 1945, An Unknown Christian, pg. 44).

So, yes, there may come times one needs to fast and pray, and it's still in those times that one is recognizing their "helplessness and dependence" on God; which therefore and thusly strengthens their relationship with Him. 

Hopefully this helps a little when it comes to prayer. I know it really helped me. 

~To God be the Glory