Often in the West we think of prayer as a petition. A petition to get something we desire or need from the Almighty. While the Good Lord does not turn a deaf ear to our needs; sometimes the answer or what we asked for does not come. We pray for provision, for protection, and for purpose. All noble supplications to our Savior, but what about praying for praying? What if our desperate cries and quiet thoughts are for us?
Our soul endures much suffering on this earth. We find dreams dashed and hopes hewn in two. Plans seem to perish when it seemed before us was open doors. In that hour of frustration we can find ourselves praying and asking God "Why?!" This is healthy. In that moment of prayer you purge the soul of It's pain. Yes, making supplication is more than just a request or communicia to Christ. THe very act of uttering words, chanting words, singing, and speaking directly does us spiritual solace. Sometimes it is not important what the answer from Above is, but that we say Amen (so be it).
In Western church culture we have turned God into a genie and our prayers into rubbing the lamp. The prosperity doctrine that has poisioned people from the pulpit has made prayer akin to wishing upon a star or buying a lottery ticket and waiting for the big pay day This perversion of a sacred and social act between man and Almighty needs to stop! While it is true that the Lord wants to bless us and "add all things unto us..," but we forget the first half: "seek ye first the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 6:33)
Sometimes the peace and joy do not come. Sometimes suffering is the portion we are dealt. You can be angry with the Almighty, but think of it like this: in our sufferings we are more prone to make supplication and thus seek counsel and to contact Christ. So perhaps we are looking at the entire thing in the wrong light. If we desire to know the Lord more, to be close to Christ and be led by the Holy Spirit, it stands to reason that we may actually suffer more. Because in suffering we discover our vunerablilty, and vunerabilily we find weakness and in weakness we find Christ. Without suffering we become self sufficent and often drift away from seeking the Savior. Prosperity of this World can often lead to Poverty of Spirit. Do not misinterpret, I am not claiming that wealth is wicked, but in our prosperity and peace we often grow proud. We pray less, because it seems God is already showering us with heavenly boons.
Prayer is power. It can transform the world, our circumstances, and most importantly our hearts. Sometimes the great miracle of prayer is not millions or many healings, but the perserverance of the soul. In those dark hours, when all hope seems lost and the world is turned against us, prayer is the medium in which we can speak to God and pour out our sufferings before Him. What if God does not take away your poverty? What if he does not release you from your prision? What if you are forced to remaining in your desperate plight? Will you cease then? No! That is when prayer is most important. In those moments when we fill our minds failing and our hearts hardening with the sorrows. In the moment prayer itself because the present. In that communication with Christ you can find all that you need. C.S. Lewis once said, "I pray because I cannot help myself, I feel compelled to do it. My prayers don't change God, they change me."
We must perservere in prayer. Do not relent. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When doledrums and the dark ogres descend upon you, bend the knee, close the hands or hold the rosary and ring the bell of prayer unto the Lord! He will hear you. But maybe all you need to do is ring; pray and confess to Christ all that burdens your heart. Let Him heal you through the words you speak.
Many of our Christian brothers and sisters are suffering around the world. Rather than shirk or slink away from their faith because of persecution, they are emboldened and continue to pray. They do not look to the Lord to free them of the pain or shackles. They look to the Lord because He is God their Savior. They ask to keep strong in the faith and to not falter; the freedom they seek is in Christ. While it is noble to try and help them in anyway we can; think about how they view suffering, not as a sign that the Savior is far from you, but rather that you are participating in the sufferings gives them a closer bond with Christ as they prayer without ceasing.
So persavere my brothers and sisters. Do not cease praying because it does nto lend you the results you want. It is not all about recieving instant answers or comfort. It can be a song like that at funeral that moves the soul to melancholy; healing it in the process as the prayer pushes the shadows of heart out with the light of our Lord.
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