Further Thoughts on the Utility of Prayer
In continuing the recent thought/conversation about the huge concept of the utility of prayer, what that might mean in that context, and its multitudinous component concepts (sorry about the big words; I've been reading Polkinghorne's Quantum Physics and Theology and I think I've become infected with a certain verbiosity...aw, never mind), that has been being carried out of late in our little corner of the blogosphere (see, e.g., iMonk's thoughts, Mofast's thoughts, my thoughts), let me share with you two "prayer scenarios," describing a situation that I was recently peripherally involved in.
Scenario 1
Anne and Bob are having one of those disagreements; you know, the ones whose determinations are life-altering not only to Anne and Bob but to everyone around them, and perhaps so much more. They have tried every good, healthy attempt at seeing the other's perspective, and they do see the other's perspective, but at the end of the day they simply cannot agree, and this is the type of issue where they must agree. Anne prays to God and asks for help; not for Bob to come to agree with her, but for help. She tells no one of the conflict except for their pastor. Some days later, at church, she notices her pastor speaking to Bob, presumably about the issue at hand. She keeps her distance, and prays a little prayer. Once she sees the discussion end, she keeps her distance. For days and days, she resists the temptation to mention to Bob that she witnessed the discussion, or try to find out what was said. She keeps praying. A few weeks later, Bob tells her that he has come to a place where, while he is not completely convinced that Anne is right, he thinks that she is probably more on the right track on the issue than he is. "Let's do it your way; I think that's how God wants it."
Scenario 2
Anne and Bob are having one of those disagreements; you know, the ones whose determinations are life-altering not only to Anne and Bob but to everyone around them, and perhaps so much more. They have tried every good, healthy attempt at seeing the other's perspective, and they do see the other's perspective, but at the end of the day they simply cannot agree, and this is the type of issue where they must agree. Anne prays to God and asks for help; she prays that God touch Bob's heart so that he will see the truth of her position. She tells many people about the conflict, including their pastor. Some days later, at church, she notices her pastor speaking to Bob, presumably about the issue at hand. She prays a little prayer. Some other friends notice the conversation and walk closer, pretending to be walking by, to catch a juicy bit of the conversation. They come scurrying to her and whisper what they had heard. Bob notices this, out of the corner of his eye, during his conversation with the pastor. Once she sees the discussion end, she keeps her distance, partly due to shame, because due to the look in Bob's eyes. In the days ahead, she continues to pray, but eventually cannot resist the temptation to mention to Bob that she witnessed the discussion. "So, what did he have to say?" Bob answers, "Say? He said said exactly what you thought he would say. Wasn't that the plan? Look, Sue. I stand where I stand. And if we can't live like that..."
One of my favorite passages in the NT is Acts 12:12-16. Its one of the funniest, saddest, and most encouraging passages in all the NT. Picture it. Peter is in prison. The exemplary, Spirit-filled early church has gathered at Mary's house to pray for a miracle, for Peter's release, and when their prayers are answered...they don't believe it. "You're crazy," they tell the maid who informs them that Peter's at the door (who's so excited herself that she forgets to let him in).
I think that story is a clue to what it all boils down to. It boils down to faith. If, in faith, you ask a mountain to move, it will move. The trouble is, faith is often times a fragile, frail thing in the hands of us human beings.
Work on the faith thing, and the "answer-to-prayers" thing will take care of itself, I guess.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
Scenario 1
Anne and Bob are having one of those disagreements; you know, the ones whose determinations are life-altering not only to Anne and Bob but to everyone around them, and perhaps so much more. They have tried every good, healthy attempt at seeing the other's perspective, and they do see the other's perspective, but at the end of the day they simply cannot agree, and this is the type of issue where they must agree. Anne prays to God and asks for help; not for Bob to come to agree with her, but for help. She tells no one of the conflict except for their pastor. Some days later, at church, she notices her pastor speaking to Bob, presumably about the issue at hand. She keeps her distance, and prays a little prayer. Once she sees the discussion end, she keeps her distance. For days and days, she resists the temptation to mention to Bob that she witnessed the discussion, or try to find out what was said. She keeps praying. A few weeks later, Bob tells her that he has come to a place where, while he is not completely convinced that Anne is right, he thinks that she is probably more on the right track on the issue than he is. "Let's do it your way; I think that's how God wants it."
Scenario 2
Anne and Bob are having one of those disagreements; you know, the ones whose determinations are life-altering not only to Anne and Bob but to everyone around them, and perhaps so much more. They have tried every good, healthy attempt at seeing the other's perspective, and they do see the other's perspective, but at the end of the day they simply cannot agree, and this is the type of issue where they must agree. Anne prays to God and asks for help; she prays that God touch Bob's heart so that he will see the truth of her position. She tells many people about the conflict, including their pastor. Some days later, at church, she notices her pastor speaking to Bob, presumably about the issue at hand. She prays a little prayer. Some other friends notice the conversation and walk closer, pretending to be walking by, to catch a juicy bit of the conversation. They come scurrying to her and whisper what they had heard. Bob notices this, out of the corner of his eye, during his conversation with the pastor. Once she sees the discussion end, she keeps her distance, partly due to shame, because due to the look in Bob's eyes. In the days ahead, she continues to pray, but eventually cannot resist the temptation to mention to Bob that she witnessed the discussion. "So, what did he have to say?" Bob answers, "Say? He said said exactly what you thought he would say. Wasn't that the plan? Look, Sue. I stand where I stand. And if we can't live like that..."
One of my favorite passages in the NT is Acts 12:12-16. Its one of the funniest, saddest, and most encouraging passages in all the NT. Picture it. Peter is in prison. The exemplary, Spirit-filled early church has gathered at Mary's house to pray for a miracle, for Peter's release, and when their prayers are answered...they don't believe it. "You're crazy," they tell the maid who informs them that Peter's at the door (who's so excited herself that she forgets to let him in).
I think that story is a clue to what it all boils down to. It boils down to faith. If, in faith, you ask a mountain to move, it will move. The trouble is, faith is often times a fragile, frail thing in the hands of us human beings.
Work on the faith thing, and the "answer-to-prayers" thing will take care of itself, I guess.
Grace and Peace,
Raffi
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