The Mystery of Prayer (Part 1)

J. Vernon McGee said, “I have never been as smart as I was when I was a freshman in seminary.” I feel the weight of that. As a young man in Bible college and then in ministry, it was easy to think you had some things figured out—but as you grow and grow older, you find there is less and less that you really understand about what you think you know.
That, I think, is particularly true of the matter of prayer. I have increasingly come to the conclusion that prayer is a mystery.
•    It is simple, yet complex.
•    It is basic, yet profound.
•    It is God’s desire for us, yet should represent the deepest desires of our hearts as well.

As has been said, if the Word is the milk and meat of the Christian life, prayer is the breath. Prayer is that fundamental to the Christian experience. So what makes it such a mystery? Let’s think that through this week, starting with…

The Mystery of Prayer
In Bible college, I repeatedly heard the saying, “Nothing of eternal value is ever accomplished apart from prayer.” It seems so direct and straightforward, so right—and it is. But that does not mean that it is simple. Consider the twin prongs of this dilemma:

•    Sovereignty of God: “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:10)

•    Participation of the Believer: “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (James 5:16)

How do you resolve those things? They seem to be so diametrically opposed to one another as to be irresoluble. It is the base point for the mystery of prayer—God is in control and God will accomplish all His purposes in the world, and, at the same time, the fervent prayer of  righteous men and women makes a difference.

It seems to be a hopeless contradiction, but it is not a contradiction. It is mystery. We’ll see another element of this understanding of prayer on Wednesday.

But, for today, how have you tried to resolve this contrast in your own heart?