Prayer

These thoughts come from Garry Friesen, a professor at Multnomah University, that he wrote concerning prayer. It really resonated with me so I thought I would share them on my blog.

"Worship songs often bid my heart to sing, but not all of them. Very little in me resonates with the song “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” I’m slowly learning to pray, but when I pray for an hour it rarely feels “sweet”. For me the title is “Slaving Hour of Prayer” or worse, “Sleep during the Hour of Prayer.” An hour of prayer for me most resembles a wrestling match. Like Jacob wrestling with the angel. And I long declare like Jacob, “I will not let you leave until you bless me.” I long to kneel like Epaphras who “agonized in prayer” for the Colossians. Why is the high privilege of prayer so difficult? At Christ’s death the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom and symbolized that we have free access into the Holy of Holies. Why do my feet hesitate rather than running in and taking hold of the mercy seat? I do not know, but I have an inkling. Perhaps prayer is the the most face to face battle with the enemy of our souls, the great dragon, the serpent of old and no one wants to look a powerful enemy in the eyes. Perhaps prayer is the most absolute act of faith. In prayer my feet go nowhere, but must stand on faith alone. My hands make nothing, but must simply be lifted in utter dependence. My voice does not speak for influence, but must cry out to an invisible Sovereign in childlike weakness. Prayer is a horrible reminder that without Him I can do nothing. “Sovereign Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.”