I am often asked when counseling couples, “What is the most important thing we can do to keep our marriage strong? The answer is easy, the implementation is difficult. Prayer; the act of praying together is the most intimate thing a couple can share together. The next question is, “How do we pray?” I then give them a prayer book, take them to the family prayers section. Predictably, their response is often one of amazed relief. Those prayers enable you to focus your prayer on God without having to make it up as you go along.As Anglican Christians who follow an “Episcopal” order of worship, we are encouraged to follow our prayer book. It’s full of prayers and thanksgivings that make praying to God - be it for ourselves, others, or general thanksgiving - a fairly simple task.
We believe that God knows all…he is omniscient. We also believe that God is in full control of absolutely everything…he is Sovereign. These are truths that we can trust and be thankful for. However, if God knows everything before it is going to happen, then why do we have to pray? Yes, we know that God commands us to pray. Yes, we also know that Jesus prayed. But, if God knows all and is in full control of all, do our prayers really matter?
Prayer is Pleasing to God.
“The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” (Proverbs 15: 8)
Our Book of Common Prayer (1928) contains scriptures that follow the life of Jesus and point us in a direction that helps us fulfill Gods commandment to pray.
Just as parents feel joy when their child looks to them in dependence and trust, our Father is pleased when his children look to him in dependence and trust. The prayers of God’s people are expressions of belief that God cares for us. They are also expressions of faith that God not only hears us, but that he can answer us.
“Almighty God unto whom all hearts are open all desires known and from whom no secrets are hid. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee and worthily magnify thy holy name through Jesus Christ our Lord… Amen”
(That’s the Collect for Purity, 1928 Book Of Common Prayer, pg. 67)
Prayer is a Privilege for God’s People.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
As I pointed out in last week’s blog, access to God’s grace and mercy is only through Jesus Christ. The access that Christian’s enjoy was secured at a huge price. Jesus had to go to the cross and be punished with the punishment that we deserve. His body had to suffer and his blood had to be shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, we as sinful humans would never have access to God. In other words, without the access provided by Jesus, our prayers would never even reach the ceiling of the room you are now sitting in! Think about the price that was paid for the privilege to be able to pray.
Prayer gives us a Proper Perspective.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
As we pray from the prayer book, the prayers are designed and written to allow you to focus on the issue. The prayers for peace and grace, found on page 17 of the 1928 BCP, are an example of asking for God’s peace and grace in our daily lives. That peace and that grace gives us a proper perspective of how powerful our God truly is.
God can do immeasurably (exceedingly abundantly) more than we can possibly ask for or imagine! How is this possible? Through his power that is at work within us. This is the same awesome power that spoke creation into existence by the word of His mouth. This is the same amazing power that parted the Red Sea and set the Israelites free. This is the same infinite power that raised Jesus from the dead, setting us free - free indeed! What should our response be to this?
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21)
Intimacy brings people closer. It seals and binds. Intimacy through prayer binds those two hearts, sealed and bound as one, together with the divine.
“Let thy ears , O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
(Collect for the Tenth Sunday After Trinity, Book of Common Prayer (1928), pg. 203)
Be prayerful…
+Ian
