Why We Don’t Pray More

One of the most important aspects of following Jesus is the one we neglect the most. We will read and study the Bible, serve, participate in activism, attend worship, and even give. But praying is both the hardest and most important work we do. Why?

I remember an early scene from “Anne of Green Gables,” something that I saw recently with my wife at the Granbury Theater. Little orphan Anne (with an E) has been taken in by Marilla and Matthew Cupbert, and Marilla is trying to teach Anne about prayers before bed. “You thank God for what He has done, and then you ask Him for what you want.” Of course, Anne embellishes things ridiculously, and the audience has a great laugh, but inside, I was thinking, “That’s about what we typically think.”

Is that why Jesus often retreated to the wilderness? Was it to have a quick jaunt through frail thanks and a wishlist? No, I think that praying is much more about silence before the Lord, waiting on Him, seeking to draw close to Him, and disciplining our busy, frenetic minds to seek Him out. We care enough that we are willing to create time and space and pursue Him.

When Kelly and I started dating, I thought of nothing but investing hours in being with her over dinner, a drive, watching stars, or listening to her talk. Now that we have been dating for 40 years, my favorite time is building a fire in the chimenea or going on a long walk to be with her, connect with her, and listen to her. I don’t worry about what she will ask of me, tell me, or expect of me. She’s my best friend, and I trust her more than any human being on the planet.

Can I say the same about the Lord? Am I comfortable spending that kind of time, willing to make room for that kind of time, and ready to trust Him for what He may reveal or say? Intimacy with God is more challenging than reading a book. Slowing down and reading scripture with a prayerful heart is different. So instead of that kind of heart, we come to prayer as a means to TELL GOD something, ASK something, REPEAT something. Even on retreat this week, I find it much more challenging to wait and to listen.

But this is what Jesus says. Demons bow in the face of prayer. The Spirit reminds us of the truth when we pray. The Spirit intercedes for us when we are in a posture of prayer. And we enter the presence of God when we pray. My friend who is in India today says repeatedly: “Before every movement of God’s Spirit in the world, there is a great PRAYER MOVEMENT among His people.” So, that kind of prayer movement is on my heart this morning.

Ramadan begins on March 10 and runs until April 8. Muslims will fast and pray in intense ways during that time. I’m challenged to pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to Muslims worldwide during that time. Our nation becomes more secular every day. I’m challenged to pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to our neighbors and to awaken the church to MORE than just “doing religious things.” But I’m challenged even more to build more praying into my life, to make bigger room for those intimate conversations with the Lord. He’s eager for it, and I need it.

THIS is the most important work we do. Easily neglected, grossly misunderstood, and Satan’s nightmare if we ever become people of real, powerful, devoted, soul-baring, Spirit-seeking, and expectant prayer, it is the foundation for everything God wants to do in us and through us.