Part of our problem—our want of earnest, public, consistent prayer on the part of Christian men—is that we lack any meaningful vision for what our prayers could lead to, what might result from our prayers. What do we mean when we pray for God’s Kingdom to come? Today’s excerpt from If Men Will Pray is found on pages 25 and 26:
“[I]]f you and I can call and lead and urge and cajole men into more consistent prayer, such as Paul indicates in these verses, then we might truly expect God to do wondrous things in our midst. I stress the point: God will do wondrous things, not we. For God responds to faith, and prayer – earnest, trusting, ongoing, swarming, public prayer – on the part of Christian men, this is the manifestation of faith and the activity we presently lack.
“We hardly know what it would be like to live in a peaceful and quiet society, where tensions of race and class no longer grip the populace, where the threat of crimes against persons is reduced to near nil, where neighbors know and care for one another, communities are safe and nurturing and wholesome, and a real sense of quiet and contentment pervades every place.
“We can scarcely imagine a society in which the dignity of human beings is preserved and celebrated, so that the poor are cared for with love, women are treated as gifts of God rather than chattel or mere playthings, the arts and culture are devoted to ennobling rather than debasing life, the unborn are safe, civil discourse becomes civil once again, and authority figures from parents to teachers to employers and civil magistrates are treated with the deference and respect they shall have earned, and which they will therefore deserve.
“And what would it be like if schools, pop music, film, television, and cultural institutions were all devoted to advancing the cause of godliness as of the highest importance? And if churches were packed with people eager to hear the Good News of salvation and to give themselves to Jesus as His disciples and servants?
“Why, it would be the Kingdom of God coming through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on earth as it is in heaven.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How would you describe your own vision for prayer, why you pray and what you hope your prayers will realize?
2. Why does God respond to our prayers? Does always respond as we might hope?
Our prayers can seem weak, uninspired, dull, and not likely to move the hand of God for anything. But that’s only what we should expect. We don’t know how to pray as we should, but we know that we should pray. Let’s not lose sight of that calling. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. You can order If Men Will Pray from The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
