Praying Because You Can - Pt 3

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2 ESV).

As we close this little look at Praying Because We Can, let me simply say that prayer, having God’s ear, is ultimately about having more of God. And having God’s ear, like hearing his voice, is not foremost about our particular practices and postures, but the principle of continually relating to him. He is holy, and so we worship. He is merciful, and so we repent. He is gracious, and so we express appreciation. He is loving so we petition him for ourselves, our family, our friends. This is the beginning of our transformation. The Apostle Paul charges the church not to specific prescribed habits, but to “be constant in prayer” (cf. Romans 12:12), to “continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2), to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and, to be “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18). Such a pervasive call to prayer is not the stuff of impersonal achievement and raw discipline and boxes to check, but intimate relationship. It does not come from the human will, but an extraordinarily attentive divine Father who is eager to “give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11). All this is possible only through the person and work of his Son. Not only did Jesus die for our sins (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3), and to show God’s love for us (cf. Romans 5:8), but he rose from the grave and ascended to heaven as “a forerunner on our behalf” (cf. Hebrews 6:20). Our having God’s ear is as sure as our having God’s Son. So, because of these truths, we make general intentions into specific plans. We find a regular time and place. We pray by ourselves and with others, scheduled and spontaneous, in the car, at the table, in bed. We may pray through Scripture, in response to God’s word. We may adore, confess, give thanks, and petition. We pray because we can. Every believer has the ear of God. Isn’t it tragic that we so seldom just talk? I encourage you to talk, about everything and nothing. Like a child who never ceases to talk to their parent, talk to your heavenly Father. He is listening. He is responding, even though you may not recognize his working. It is all producing your good, transforming you into something miraculous indeed!