The Graced Work of Prayer

?Most of the problems relating to God?s will are already solved when we see prayer not as an effort to change it, but as loving communion which may help in the promotion of that will, whereas without the prayer it might be frustrated.? (Elton Trueblood. A Place to Stand. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1969, p. 90.)

In prayer, do I believe at some level that I?m trying to change God?s mind? Do I think I have more wisdom than He does so that I need to counsel Him as to how He should act? Do I think I have more compassion than Him so that I need to goad Him to care about something I care about more?

Instead, I see prayer as a way of coming into line with the good, graced purposes of my loving Father for me and for those in my life and ministry. What if prayer is learning to see my life, my relationships and my work from God?s perspective? What if prayer is more about relationship than about advocacy for my position with God?

Our prayers may be a significant cause in the course of events in our lives and the lives of others. Learning to pray in union with the purposes of God, asking that His kingdom truly come and His will be truly done, may actually help it come and be done. How about that! This would show how prayer is a significant element of my work, rather than just a preparation for the ?real? work.