The Discipline of Prayer

Sometimes, whether it is because of exhaustion, anxiety, or a host of other maladies my times of prayer became a shallow list of incessant complaints, leaving me tapped of any passion or enthusiasm for prayer. It is precisely then that prayer, as a discipline, begin to make a difference.

Sometimes I would try to survive on perfunctory prayers off and on during the day, but I realized that was not, nor ever was, sufficient. I needed God—not to just bless my food or watch over us while we slept. I needed him to be able to do anything in this new place to which he had called Terri and I.

I needed discipline. To stand, in prayer is a discipline like exercise, It involves sweat and even tears. I need to practice it regularly. On the days I was “feeling it” and on the days I was not. F.B. Meyer, the author of the great little book, the Secret of Guidance said, "The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

"The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

I know that God will answer prays I never even pray but the discipline of prayer changes me. As Martin Luther said in his explanation to the Lords prayer “The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.” I want his work done in me and prayer helps me to see that work coming to pass.

And yet I am far to often undisciplined in prayer And so I pray:

Lord help me to have self-control. Train me like an athlete to be strong and determined. Feed me with your truth in the scriptures to make me healthy. Help me to exercise muscles of prayer, forgiveness, patience and peacemaking. Lord, increase my stamina to give out to those in need. And may I be freed from past hurts and confusions so that I can run free.