Prayer is Absurd?

“Naturally, prayer is not practical, it is absurd; we have to realize that prayer is stupid from the ordinary common-sense point of view.”  Oswald Chambers

Many probably have this view of prayer, that is, until life becomes difficult or we are faced with a sudden, significant crisis.  Chambers in the above quote from his devotional classic My Utmost for His Highest is pointing out the worldly view of prayer.  To the worldly, prayer is absurd.  And unfortunately the believer can stumble into this thought process as well.

Chambers goes on to explain what prayer is for the believer.  “‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God.”  And further “Prayer is the way the life of God is nourished. Our ordinary views on prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer as a means of getting things for ourselves. The Bible idea of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. “

I believe this is the essence of prayer.  It is to get to know God.  It is to be with God.  The Bible speaks of a prayer life that is unceasing (I Thes. 5:17) , that is devoted (Col. 4:2), with joy (Phil 1:4) and in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).  But how do we do those things?  My mind gets pretty occupied on things.  If I could borrow again from Oswald Chamber, he says, “If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly….Prayer is not an exercise, it is life.” 

Prayer more than any other discipline is to be more of who we are than what we do.  It is the most basic and most direct way into the holy of holies, the heart of God.  Life without prayer is life without God.  So, these are the things I would suggest to deepen your prayer life:

• Make your life an offering to God and a confession of your need for Him.  Do not think of prayer as a few minutes here and there but that your entire life is a prayer to Him.  As Brother Lawrence said, practice the presence of the Lord.
• Do make time to quiet your heart to listen, to be still, that you may be able to discern His voice. Sit with the scriptures daily and listen.
• This is not contrary to the first point, but do make specific times, appointments with God each day to share your heart, to intercede for others, to pray for the body of Christ.  Decide now the times during the day you choose and even set your alarm.

Prayer is such an expansive topic and this just scratches the surface (just as I am just barely scratching the surface in prayer), but lets be diligent and not lose heart in this endeavor.  The real absurdity is living life without prayer.

Blessings, Scott for Wellpsring Copyright 2008