But the kind which we exercise by prayer is not like that; God has left Himself a discretionary power. Had He not done so, prayer would be an activity too dangerous for man. We would have the horrible state of things envisaged by Juvenal: “Enormous prayers which Heaven in anger grants." That is why God has retained a discretionary power of granting or refusing prayers; except on that condition, prayer would destroy us.
Now I hear another objection: "But prayers are not always granted." Ah, but here we come to God's rebuke to Job: "Who are you to call me to account? Can you hope to understand why or how I do anything? Were you there at the Creation? Can you comprehend the marvels of the stars, the animals, the infinite wonders of existence? You, a worm that lives a few moments, and dies?" When we judge, crudely, a prayer as "granted" or "not granted," we are judging without seeing the evidence. Prayers seem to us unfulfilled not because prayer is a weaker kind of causality, but because it is a stronger kind. When it “works” at all it works unlimited by space and time. Here are C.S. Lewis's words on that matter:
Don’t bother about the idea that God “has known for millions of years exactly what you are about to pray”. That isn’t what it’s like. God is hearing you now, just as simply as a mother hears a child. The difference His timelessness makes is that this now (which slips away from you even as you say the word now) is for Him infinite. If you must think of His timelessness at all, don’t think of Him having looked forward to this moment for millions of years: think that to Him you are always praying this prayer. But there’s really no need to bring it in. You have gone into the Temple (“one day in Thy court is better than a thousand”) and found Him, as always, there. That is all you need to bother about.
Thanks is merely a backwards looking prayer. God hears thanks for the good of the past as merely a prayer from a different orientation.
Also posted, among other things, on my Patreon.
"Had He not done so, prayer would be an activity too dangerous for man."
ReplyDeleteIndeed. As portrayed in the movie "Forbidden Planet".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxQ9GG6hUDM
That is an excellent example of how people think they are in control, when they are not, and will not admit it. And to expand on your point, this is why Grace is enough if one is open and honest about everything.
ReplyDelete"And God is able to make grace abound toward you ..."
Delete2 Corinthians 9:8
Just beautiful! Thanks very much for this!
ReplyDeleteAppreciated this very much, CW, thank you. Prayer is indeed powerful.
ReplyDelete"if one is open and honest about everything"
ReplyDeletetall order.
Today I have reason to hope that God gives special attention to prayers for the recently departed. Prayers that He look for them and receive them into His Kingdom. When you lose a best friend and pray for his soul I believe that those prayers are regarded differently, as unselfish. A letter of recommendation, heartfelt and pledging your own word and souls worth that the 'bearer' is of good character and worthy of entrance to the presence.
ReplyDeleteThat is my friend, Doug (USMC).
The time for prayer, weeping, and fasting for others is while they are still with us.
ReplyDelete2nd Samuel 12
I believe God answers* all our prayers. His answer is yes, no, or not yet revealed to us.
ReplyDeleteGod is not limited by time, therefore He has already answered.
*There are conditions we must meet when we pray. In His name, according to His will, in faith and obedience, forgiven of sin.
We all receive the blessings of God. The breath of life being one example.
Unrepentance, disbelief, lack of faith, willful sin, backsliding, enmity; these act to limit the blessings we receive.
He knows best. Sometimes unanswered prayers are a good thing.
ReplyDeleteBear Claw