Comments on: How to Develop a Desperate Prayer Life http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/ Passionately pursuing intimacy with God in Christ Thu, 21 Apr 2011 04:55:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Developing Your Prayer Life: The 8 Post Series | Desire Spiritual Growth http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-525 Developing Your Prayer Life: The 8 Post Series | Desire Spiritual Growth Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:49:22 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-525 [...] 7. How to Develop a Desperate Prayer Life [...] [...] 7. How to Develop a Desperate Prayer Life [...]

]]> By: al http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-391 al Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:19:13 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-391 If you can still remember the original post here, I'd like to put in a word on behalf of those who identify with this description: "Our half-hearted, mumbly prayers evidence our apathy. We don’t even care to be heard. We don’t expect an answer. We’re probably not even sure why we are praying." Some will say, "Oh yes, but I am not a David. I am not an Elijah, nor a Paul. I mumble. I am uncertain. I don't know whether to expect an answer..." If that describes you, I refer you to the publican (tax collector) of Luke 18:10-14. Upon reflection you will find that he fits the whole description of Daniel's post, while on the surface he may display only the negative impressions mentioned above. He is the product of God-inspired humility: deeply convicted and ashamed, standing far off, not daring even to lift his eyes heavenward, beating his breast to symbolize his worthiness only to be punished, confessing his sinfulness and great need of mercy. Have you found yourself in this position, unable to move up to the next level, of more confident prayer? I have. Sometimes I still do. If you have, know this: The same Holy Spirit who moved the hand of a man to record King David's prayer(s) for our encouragement in the canon of Holy Scripture also did so regarding the publican's prayer, even though we know not his name. "...this man went down to his house justified," rather than the religious braggart. JUSTIFIED! for God heard him and acted upon his request! If all you can muster today is a mumbly, self-doubting prayer, you are not necessarily in a bad place-- respond to the convicting voice of God's Spirit in your conscience, and know that whoever comes to God He will in no way cast out. If you can still remember the original post here, I’d like to put in a word on behalf of those who identify with this description: “Our half-hearted, mumbly prayers evidence our apathy. We don’t even care to be heard. We don’t expect an answer. We’re probably not even sure why we are praying.”

Some will say, “Oh yes, but I am not a David. I am not an Elijah, nor a Paul. I mumble. I am uncertain. I don’t know whether to expect an answer…”

If that describes you, I refer you to the publican (tax collector) of Luke 18:10-14. Upon reflection you will find that he fits the whole description of Daniel’s post, while on the surface he may display only the negative impressions mentioned above. He is the product of God-inspired humility: deeply convicted and ashamed, standing far off, not daring even to lift his eyes heavenward, beating his breast to symbolize his worthiness only to be punished, confessing his sinfulness and great need of mercy. Have you found yourself in this position, unable to move up to the next level, of more confident prayer? I have. Sometimes I still do. If you have, know this:

The same Holy Spirit who moved the hand of a man to record King David’s prayer(s) for our encouragement in the canon of Holy Scripture also did so regarding the publican’s prayer, even though we know not his name. “…this man went down to his house justified,” rather than the religious braggart. JUSTIFIED! for God heard him and acted upon his request!

If all you can muster today is a mumbly, self-doubting prayer, you are not necessarily in a bad place– respond to the convicting voice of God’s Spirit in your conscience, and know that whoever comes to God He will in no way cast out.

]]> By: So You Think? « Sorting Beans http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-227 So You Think? « Sorting Beans Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:54:06 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-227 [...] ought to shape our understanding of how we engage in prayer (an area in which I lack), the difference of testimony and the Gospel, and the ideas behind popular [...] [...] ought to shape our understanding of how we engage in prayer (an area in which I lack), the difference of testimony and the Gospel, and the ideas behind popular [...]

]]> By: I love words… « … this grace in which I stand … http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-224 I love words… « … this grace in which I stand … Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:33:37 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-224 [...] selfish desires die when we align ourselves with God’s will, wanting what He wants.” (from Desire Spiritual Growth [...] [...] selfish desires die when we align ourselves with God’s will, wanting what He wants.” (from Desire Spiritual Growth [...]

]]> By: Daniel C. Wilson http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-221 Daniel C. Wilson Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:05:38 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-221 You're welcome, I hope some people meandered on over to your blog to check out the posts. I agree with you on David. His psalms are a gallery of vivid pictures of prayer in various contexts. You’re welcome, I hope some people meandered on over to your blog to check out the posts.

I agree with you on David. His psalms are a gallery of vivid pictures of prayer in various contexts.

]]> By: Don http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-220 Don Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:42:51 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-220 Hey man, thanks for the link :-) A better prayer life is something I have been chasing. I love how you brought David into this. He never gets enough credit. Hey man, thanks for the link :-)

A better prayer life is something I have been chasing. I love how you brought David into this. He never gets enough credit.

]]> By: al http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-219 al Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:45:10 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-219 It was Demian who pointed out David's confession of need. I just embellished upon it. It was Demian who pointed out David’s confession of need. I just embellished upon it.

]]> By: Ruth http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-218 Ruth Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:32:58 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-218 Just a kind of side-line note: I think what just happened here--a bunch of brothers and sisters, at least some of whom don't really know each other at all, talking about our precious Father who made us all brothers and sisters in the first place--is pretty amazing and very special! Thanks for starting this, Daniel. Praise God for the Body of His Son! May the grace of Jesus Christ be with us always, and may we all abide together with Him in praise and thanks for His goodness and continual prayer for the saints. Just a kind of side-line note: I think what just happened here–a bunch of brothers and sisters, at least some of whom don’t really know each other at all, talking about our precious Father who made us all brothers and sisters in the first place–is pretty amazing and very special! Thanks for starting this, Daniel. Praise God for the Body of His Son! May the grace of Jesus Christ be with us always, and may we all abide together with Him in praise and thanks for His goodness and continual prayer for the saints.

]]> By: Daniel C. Wilson http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-217 Daniel C. Wilson Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:32:44 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-217 The confession is a step further than recognition. That's a very important addition, and I appreciate your eyes for truth. "To the natural man this latter step seems suicidal, but it is a suicide only of the flesh..." Amen. These things warrant a lot more meditation. The confession is a step further than recognition. That’s a very important addition, and I appreciate your eyes for truth.

“To the natural man this latter step seems suicidal, but it is a suicide only of the flesh…” Amen.

These things warrant a lot more meditation.

]]> By: Ruth http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/how-to-develop-a-desperate-prayer-life/#comment-216 Ruth Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:27:55 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=675#comment-216 Beautifully put, Al. Beautifully put, Al.

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