Through Praying?
Another Day Along the Way
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Another day,
The two words interested me. Two words I knew, though rarely linking them together alone.
When I first heard the phrase, I didn't understand its meaning. The elderly lady mentioned the two words while not explaining or elaborating. She only confessed an action: it was something she did. Often. And with meaning. My young mind knew she was worried, so I asked what she planned to do. She said, "Pray through."
During the decades since, I've heard others talk about "praying through." A man who served in ministry long before I was born assured me that true success for me would only come as I "pray through." A couple informed a young-Chris-Maxwell-with-long-hair to deal with problems, needs, and struggles by "praying through." A lady told me of her experience of staying after church one night, all night, to "pray through" a serious struggle in life.
Pray through. What does it mean? "Pray until you're through," a friend said. "Hide away with God and cry your hurt to Him," someone else said. Desperate intercession. Intense, honest, uninterrupted dialogue with God. Listening and crying and pleading.
"Praying through" is an ancient task for those who preceded us. "Praying through" is a strange waste of time for modern self-pleasers who can't dare risk important hours of busy schedules to hide with an Invisible Listener. "Praying through" might be even better than strategizing a new "how to."
"Pray through." The two words interest me. Will I let that be all?
I hope not. There are times when we aren't through praying until we've "prayed through."
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1, NIV)
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Another day,
The two words interested me. Two words I knew, though rarely linking them together alone.
When I first heard the phrase, I didn't understand its meaning. The elderly lady mentioned the two words while not explaining or elaborating. She only confessed an action: it was something she did. Often. And with meaning. My young mind knew she was worried, so I asked what she planned to do. She said, "Pray through."
During the decades since, I've heard others talk about "praying through." A man who served in ministry long before I was born assured me that true success for me would only come as I "pray through." A couple informed a young-Chris-Maxwell-with-long-hair to deal with problems, needs, and struggles by "praying through." A lady told me of her experience of staying after church one night, all night, to "pray through" a serious struggle in life.
Pray through. What does it mean? "Pray until you're through," a friend said. "Hide away with God and cry your hurt to Him," someone else said. Desperate intercession. Intense, honest, uninterrupted dialogue with God. Listening and crying and pleading.
"Praying through" is an ancient task for those who preceded us. "Praying through" is a strange waste of time for modern self-pleasers who can't dare risk important hours of busy schedules to hide with an Invisible Listener. "Praying through" might be even better than strategizing a new "how to."
"Pray through." The two words interest me. Will I let that be all?
I hope not. There are times when we aren't through praying until we've "prayed through."
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement:
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1, NIV)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment