The Tension of Prayer

One time I was asked how we balance the numerous prayer requests we are presented with. Everywhere we look, we see great need. How do we address and bring to God every need, where there are so many, and we are just one person?

Prayer is such a privilege, but I can relate to it sometimes feeling overwhelming. Being aware of the need is good—it motivates us and reminds us to look at life through the lens of eternity—but prayer shouldn’t be a burden. We shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by something God intended to be a blessing. Our communion and fellowship with Him should draw us nearer to our Prince of Peace. “Come,” He says, “and I will give you rest.” While intercession is a good and needed thing, the requests of others we lay before Him are secondary to our own relationship with Christ.

I think of Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God invites us to lay our requests before Him in response to our anxiousness. Laying our requests before Him shouldn’t cause anxiousness.

Practically, one thing that comes to mind is the importance of persistence. I think of the parable of the unjust judge in Luke 18. Jesus told the parable to teach His disciples that they should pray and not give up. God honors and rewards persistence, but there may also be a time when we leave the request before Him and simply trust Him with His word. In some cases, we may never know the answer.

Several years ago, a friend of mine told me about a young woman she had shared the gospel with on an airplane. For weeks I prayed for this young woman, not knowing how God would answer or when. Eventually, knowing God had heard me, I moved on. He had spoken through His peace. We cannot underestimate the importance of prayer—nothing is in vain—but we can also rest in knowing that God hears and answers those who call on Him.

First Thessalonians tells us to be joyful always and pray continually. Our world is full of distractions, but one thing I have found helpful is to take advantage of certain opportunities to pray throughout the day. I used to turn on the radio while doing chores and listen to music. Of course these are worshipful, uplifting songs, but whenever I listen, I tend not to pray. If I’m not going walking with someone else, I can pray. Cooking, cleaning, walking, shopping—pray. Prayer is merely talking to God, knowing He is always there. Simply making mention, or speaking someone’s name, is a powerful testament of faith.

I think of a quote from Samuel Chadwick: “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” Satan trembles when we pray, but this is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 Jn. 5:4). God hears. The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective. And the Holy Spirit helps us and intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray (Rom. 8:26-27).

Some of my go-to verses are in Romans 7 and 8: “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me... but there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is a tool and a weapon. We can use every occasion to pray. But God is not waiting to judge our prayers. No condemnation? What a promise to work through!