It Doesn’t Take All That
I have been on both sides of this issue.
On one side, the argument is against loud, impassioned prayers. I’ve heard it argued, “God isn’t hard of hearing. You don’t have to be so loud. If prayer is a conversation, just pray conversationally.”
But then, on the other side of the argument, I read reflections on prayer from some Church of Scotland ministers who were living in the 1839 awakening in the Presbyterian churches of Scotland. I’ll let the quotes speak for themselves…
“Perhaps the recent effusion of the Spirit dispensed to some favored locations in Scotland may be partly owing to the spirit of earnest prayer awakened by the danger in which our Church has been involved.”
“Never do we honor God so much as when our faith towers to such heroic pitch of trust in Him prompting a boldness which will not be satisfied (Jacob at Peniel and Hannah at Shiloh) with anything short of the blessing that is implored.”
“As the time seems approaching when God is to take to Himself great power and reign, there is an urgent call upon us to rise from the nerveless languor, that generally taints our petitions, to burning zeal.”
“Blessings of great magnitude are associated with ardour and perseverance in prayer.”
“Men under the impression that there is no water, that is, feeling the comparative destitution of living water, will pray with an earnestness, fueled by the tongue failing for thirst, and then a prodigal supply of living water will be granted to enrich and irrigate parched land.”
I don’t know how these quotes affect you, but I am convicted as I sit here writing this blog, by my passionless, casual praying. I am afraid that it betrays…
• …a lack of faith in me that God hears and answers prayer.
• …an absence of urgency in me that anything is wrong in me or the church.
• …a lukewarm Laodicean contentment with status quo.
• …indifference concerning the quality of faith being inherited by my children and grandchildren.
I realize that volume and passion in prayer can be faked, or even a learned behavior, in which case it means nothing and is just so much noise.
But that argument can also be a lame excuse for faithless, passionless praying.
There is no reasonable excuse for passionless praying.
Interesting, and I will close with this: when God answered King Josiah’s burden for his country and his desire for revival, He said to the king, “Because your heart was responsive, you humbled yourself, tore your robes and wept…I have heard you.” (2 Kings 22:19)
Because… I heard you.
Passion in prayer must begin in a heart moved by the Holy Spirit. That is where the work must begin.
But it does appear that the heart moved in passionate intercession moves the heart of God.