How would you fill in the blank of this statement?
_______________ is the key to everything we need to do and be in life.
Many of us might choose faith, obedience to God, or perseverance.
But according to Pastor/author Timothy Keller, the answer is prayer [1].
He would have us understand that “there is nothing more important . . . or richer, or more life-altering as prayer. There is absolutely nothing so great as prayer” [2].
However, Keller readily admits that prayer is hard. It’s a discipline to stay focused on Someone invisible. Not only do distractions cause interference, but doubts produce discouragement, and disappointments over prayers not answered (as we’d hoped) can breed demoralization.
It’s easy to put this key aside and “let God be God” without our participation.
Oh, what we miss.
Puritan preacher and writer John Bunyan would have us understand:
That is, through prayer, every cranny of our lives is impacted by his uplifting influence—our personalities, thoughts, choices, circumstances, and more. Through prayer he fills us with the totality of his excellencies and his empowering presence.
Could anything be more sublime?
In addition, we can enjoy these blessings:
Prayer makes a sour heart sweet, a sad heart merry, a poor heart rich, a foolish heart wise, a timid heart courageous, a sick heart well, a blind heart full of vision, a cold heart ardent. For it draws down the great God into the little heart; it drives the hungry soul up to the plentitude of God; it brings together those two lovers, God and the soul.
— Mechthild of Madgeburg, a 13th century German woman, a mystic
Could anything be more satisfying?
To be honest though, there are days when my prayer time is more discipline than delight. I need an attitude-adjustment through review of such benefits as listed above, reminders of what prayer is supposed to be in the first place, and the positive outcomes of prayer.
What Prayer Is Supposed to Be
First, let’s address what prayer is not.
Prayer is meant to be an intimate, personal encounter with God himself, the King of the universe. We so easily forget what a precious gift this is, a privilege beyond comprehension.
In addition, prayer is meant to be a “link between his will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer” (Elisabeth Elliot).
Could anything provide greater honor?
Contemplation of such realities will surely renew our pleasure in prayer and produce joyful anticipation for what’s to come: amazement in our answered prayers.
The Impact of Prayer
Regardless of what the answers might be, prayer:
- fortifies human weakness with divine strength
- transforms human irrationality into godly wisdom
- gives to troubled minds the peace of God
- unlocks the deepest joy
- develops our friendship with God
- augments our ability to discern the mind of God [3]
Those are life-transforming outcomes! And no doubt we could list more.
No wonder Timothy Keller named prayer as the key to everything.
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank You, Father, for allowing us the privilege of prayer. What additional proof do we need of your marvelous loving kindness? Help us to use this gift wisely throughout this day [4].
[1] Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, 18.
[2] Ibid, 32.
[3] The first three results from Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 287; points #4 & #5 from Sara Hagerty, Unseen, 201, 207; Point #6 from Oswald Chambers.
[4] Based on a prayer of Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 287.
Art & photo credits: http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.snl.no/Oswald_Chambers; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.
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This is so good and I continually need to be reminded that even though prayer is hard, it’s vital!
TT
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I’m so glad you found the post meaningful, Michele! I too need the reminders, to stay the course of prayer.
Prayer is everything!!! Excellent post! God wants to be in communion with us. He cares about the little highs and lows of our days. We love to hear how our children are doing…how much more so, God longs to hear from us.
An insightful analogy, LInda!
Prayer should never be a discipline carried out in obedience, but a joyful opportunity to connect deeply with the God we love and who first loved us. Thank you, Nancy, for this insight and inspirational key to fully living.
Blessings!
Praise God you found insight and inspiration here, Martha. While completing the research, my own spirit was renewed, given all the positive outcomes and blessings of prayer!
My answer was love when I first started reading this post, but I must agree prayer is very important. Very good post.
Thank you, Julie. Praise God for his inspiration and guidance as I prepared this post!
Prayer is indeed hard and it being a discipline more than a delight on some days is so very relatable. It truly is our lifeline and that is why the enemy works hard at either keeping us busy or distracted and we tend to let prayer be the first thing we key go of when we are either of those things.
Love this post and all the reminders of the impact and need for prayer.
Thank you, Manu. While gathering the quotes for this post, I too found each one ministering to my spirit. I’m glad you found the post meaningful!
Along with the above, I believe common sense is the key most people seem to lack these days!
Yes, if we had a ring of keys for The Satisfying and Purposeful Life, common sense would certainly be a good one to include! God made provision for that too–in the Bible, especially Proverbs.
yes, indeed!
Great insights on prayer. I’m afraid I approached it in a more childlike way and perhaps with a little different emphasis on the words than intended. My answer is Jesus.😇
You are so right, Linda. The abundant life begins with Jesus. Without him there is no relationship with God, and prayer is meaningless. I should have drawn attention to Keller’s subtitle: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Prayer is the key to everything we need to do and be to avail ourselves of experiencing God.
Thank you, Nancy. This is an insightful post and yes, prayer is hard. Life’s distractions often get my attention. My husband and I are reading together a book written in the 1600’s by a Puritan, Stephen Charnock on “Divine Providence”, so much to absorb and think about.
I think I have a few of Stephen Charnock’s quotes among my collection. Love the way you and B. are challenging yourselves with some “meaty” material!
I read your blog a few days ago and challenged myself to consider what would I choose as a key to everything. I think he is right: prayer is a good and probably the best choice.
As L. G. Higgins pointed out above, a different “key to everything” would be Jesus himself. Without him we have no relationship with God and prayer is meaningless. I should have drawn attention to Keller’s subtitle: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Prayer is the key to everything we need to do and be to avail ourselves of experiencing God.
How wise and insightful to grasp the immense value and beauty of prayer as the key to all of life. So many times prayer feels like an afterthought or a rubber stamp on ideas we want to see. I love that quote from that 13th century German woman–the idea of drawing down our great God into our small hearts and having a relationship with Him should bring awe and wonder into our souls. This is an excellent reminder and encouragement to reframe what prayer is to me. Thanks, Nancy.
You’re so welcome, Dayle. I too found great insight and encouragement from Mechthild!
I look at prayer as quiet time with God. It is in those moments at any time of the day or night, when we have access to the Creator of the Universe. He has time for us. He listens. He answers in time. He is faithful and keeps His promises. I love going outside first thing in the morning and surveying His creation. It is those moments that prepare me for the day. It’s like having an instant audience.
Thank you, Kathy, for your additions to our list of blessings from the exercise of prayer. To have an audience with the King of the universe is no small thing! I too love spending my quiet time on our deck, enjoying God’s living room (a phrase from Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing) while I study scripture, journal, and pray. It’s delightful to see the evidence of his character all around me–his wisdom, creativity, goodness, and power–to name a few!
So true, Nancy. Prayer is such an important key. One that we all have, but so often neglect to employ. No wonder the door to so many spiritual riches remains closed to us.Thanks for the reminder that we need to make use of this tool!
You’re welcome, Sheila. By keeping those spiritual riches in mind, we can keep our spirits encouraged to pray–with eagerness!
Beautiful answer and perspective, Nancy!
Thank you, Wynne. Praise God for the wisdom of such men and women as Timothy Keller, Oswald Chambers, Charles Spurgeon, Elisabeth Elliot, Methchild of Madgeburg, etc!
Thanks for the reminder of the importance of prayer. Interesting as pastors. my husband and I found getting people to join together for prayer was the most difficult thing in the church calendar.
Yes, many people do seem uncomfortable praying in front of others. In our humanity it’s
easy to become focused on what our words sound like to others instead of what our heart’s attitudes and intentions are toward God. Lord, have mercy!
I LOVE that Mechtild quote! I’m so glad to have read your post before making the coffee today and sitting by the open window with a certain open Book . . .
I was greatly inspired by M’s quote too, Laurie. Her words would offer lovely encouragement prior to fellowshipping with God over His Word–just as you chose to do!
In reading this I thought: “Would I go through life without speaking to my loved ones here on earth?” Of course not! Without communication how could relationships and friendships grow? How could we convey our love to each other? Even more important is to maintain a constant flow of communion with my Savior. It takes discipline and the avoidance of distractions which can be challenging…but OH so rewarding!
You ask insightful questions here, Cheri. And your conclusion is spot-on: Prayer takes discipline, but the practice is OH so rewarding! May we keep our eyes on the prize, which in this case is a more intimate relationship with God the Father, King of the universe.