“When we think of worshipful prayer as a duty, we can easily lose our taste for it. But when we think of duty as a worshipful prayer, the tables get turned on the entire concept of obligation.”- Jared C. Wilson
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”- Psalm 46:10
As Jared Wilson continues Chapter 5 of The Imperfect Disciple, he defines prayer as an act of worship. Hence, we don’t pray to push God’s buttons, as if He’s some kind of cosmic vending machine. Rather, we pray in response to His initiative in our relationship.
Therefore, the rhythm of feeling Scripture comes first. As God reveals Himself to you through His Word, you being to feel compelled to reveal yourself to Him in prayer – the second rhythm. Pastor Wilson explains:
“It’s okay if you feel like you’re in the dark, if prayer feels like stumbling around and walking into walls. You’re alive thanks to the resurrection of Jesus. And when someone saves your life, don’t you feel it’s your duty to thank them over and over again in a way that’s entirely different from the duty you feel when you go to work or school every day, the duty you feel to pay your bills . . .”
As a result, those awake to the amazing greatness of the gospel worship daily though intentional prayer. This demonstrates awareness of God’s amazing grace and goodness. However, Jared states, times of worship potentially “strip us spiritually bare, expose our vulnerability, shrink us down to our proper proportion before God.” Furthermore, because we can’t hide anything from our all-seeing God, we can be totally honest- our real selves.
Today’s question: Do you see worshipful prayer as a duty, or duty as worshipful prayer? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Where we place our hope and trust”
