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WELCOME TO ONELIFE MINISTRIES! I INVITE YOU TO SHARE PRAYER REQUESTS AT THE EMAIIL ADDRESS GIVEN AT THE CONCLUSION OF TODAY'S WRITING.
“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”
*Mahatma Gandhi
"The technology of prayer stems from our ability to choose which thoughts, feelings and emotions we embody in the moment. As we do so, science tells us that we create specific chemistry within our bodies, with the effects extending far beyond our bodies, through the medium that we now recognize as consciousness."
*Deepak Chopra interview with Gregg Braden, author of The Isaiah Effect: "Prayer," sortlifeout.co.uk
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working [The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (AV)].
*James 5.l6, ESV
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While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, F.B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers. At the captain's request he spoke on "Answered Prayer." An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, "What did you think of Dr. Meyer's sermon?" He answered, "I didn't believe a word of it."
That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the steerage passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear "what the babbler had to say."
Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket. On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep. Her hands were open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. "You seem to be enjoying that orange," he remarked with a smile. "Yes, sir," she replied, "My Father is very good to me." "Your father? Surely your father can't be still alive!" "Praise God," she replied, "He is very much alive." "What do you mean?" pressed the agnostic. She explained, "I'll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!" The agnostic was speechless. Later he was converted to Christ.
*Our Daily Bread.
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I write much on prayer. Why? Prayer is the center of life and worship. Prayer is openness to divine Vitality.
Why would I be comfortable with linking science and prayer, and speak of the "technology of prayer." I can only make brief comment here, on this matter.
First, true science is an inexact discipline, but its role is to give insight into natural laws which characterize life. It cannot define prayer or God, but it can give insight into how prayer works, partly and at least from the human side. This does not diminish the mystery of prayer, but shows us how we actively, even at the brain and body level, fully participate in prayer, both in praying and the results of prayer. We are powerful beings, science proves, and this is one reason we are to realize our potential is to be wedded to God's will in holy intent.
Second, the technology of prayer can give insight into the ways we can help or hinder effectiveness of our prayer. Seeing the Christian faith is incarnated faith, in and through us, how we are part of prayer physically, mentally, and emotionally, will affect results of our prayer. So, we can hold both to faith in the mystery of prayer and its recognizable aspects within us as in-spirited bodies. The technology of prayer reminds us that we surrender to God in a fully-participatory way, not just in a passive resignation.
Our surrender in prayer is proactive, it is itself a creative act, a powerful means of Grace inspired by the Holy Spirit. This sets it apart from a mechanical, secular, and humanistic view of prayer. If we recall this, we have nothing to fear from scientific studies on prayer or speaking of the power we share in praying. Rather, we will take prayer more seriously, less pasively.
I like the old Authorized Version rendering of the last part of James 5.16: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Let us think upon availing prayer.
The word for "effectual fervent" in James 5.16 is the Greek energeo, and our word "energy" derives from the same root. The verb is from the noun energes, "active." Energeo means "to be operative, be at work, put forth power."
"Availeth much" in the Greek conveys being able and having strength. The Greek verb is from the noun ischus, "ability, force, strength, might."
The above word studies provide us insight into understanding James 5.16. We could translate the last sentence: "The prayer putting forth power of a godly person is a forceful thing."
1) Availing prayer is "effectual fervent."
The Amplified Bible reads: The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (AB).
Effectually fervent prayer is ardent prayer from the heart, the center of who we are, which is more than praying from the mouth or the head. We need to wed passion with prayer; heartfelt prayer is more important than artful or articulate prayer.
The Holman Christian Standard Bible accents this element of fervency. The translation reads: "The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful."
2) Availing prayer is experienced by righteous persons.
In the Antarctic summer of 1908-1909, Sir Ernest Shackleton and three companions tried to travel to the South Pole from their winter quarters. They began with four ponies to help carry the load. Weeks later, their ponies dead, and food almost gone, they turned back toward their base.
Altogether, they trekked 127 days. On the return, as Shackleton records in The Heart of the Antarctic, the time was spent talking about food - elaborate feasts, gourmet delights, sumptuous menus. As they staggered along, suffering from dysentery, not knowing whether they would survive, every waking hour was filled with thoughts of eating.
Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [justice], for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5.6, ESV)." Righteousness implies seeking to fulfill the just needs in relationships, both with God and other persons.
We need powerful prayer, ardent and that changes things. This prayer does not just happen, does not prove effective by an arbitrary law. Everything has an inner law of operation, including prayer. Prayer is not mechanical magic: I pray, I get. Fervent prayer by a person intent on being and doing right are ingredients that merge to see results that otherwise would not be.
God and prayer are not to blame for the cool and ineffective discipleship of many churches and Christians. We have not adequately trusted God and the power of prayer. We have not lived so close to God's open heart that we are afire with divine passion, ardency filling prayer and self in expectation, determination, and, consequently, the outpouring of God's graces.
Let us as persons and communities of faith, as families and friendships, as couples, commit ourselves individually and together to the power of prayer. Let us seek the right in all our relationships. May we remember prayer alone is not an answer; prayer expressing a relationship of passionate devotion between God and us opens the windows of heaven, for us to enjoy a rain of blessings.
Our Scripture today reminds us that prayer may or may not be effective. Prayer from a righteous person, with a heart in love with God, will bring forth blessings, however.
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1) What priority do you give to prayer? What link do you see between your prayer and relationship with other persons?
2) Do you agree that prayer is the centerpiece of life and worship? Explain.
3) What is meant by, "Prayer is openness to divine Vitality"?
4) What are different ways that passion can be expressed in prayer?
5) Is the community of faith you belong to a people practicing the power of prayer? Explain.
6) Could someone describe your relationship with God as a fervent one? Explain.
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*For submission of prayer requests, write to Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*The Greek word studies is from Strong's Concordance. The Ghandhi quote was found at thinkexist.com .The stories from Our Daily Bread and The Heart of the Anarctic was at www.sermonillustrations.com. The Braden quote is www.meaningoflife.i12.com/Prayer.htm .
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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