“Deep prayer is prayer in the truth of what is going on in our lives. That means we are called to pray from that honest place in our hearts that each of us knows but only visits when something (usually) beyond our control awakens us to these realities. It is in that honest place with God where prayer becomes real.”- Kyle Strobel and John Coe
“Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and waves have gone over me.”- Psalm 42:7 (ESV)
Kyle Strobel and John Coe conclude their Introduction to Where Prayer Becomes Real as the astutely observe that the following all provide echoes of God’s invitation to pray. Our:
- failure to pray
- fears that we’ve prayed poorly
- resistance to prayer
Above all, we cannot lose if we approach God as we are. Thus, this place where we begin represents the entrance to deep prayer. And to embrace deeper prayer, the authors observe, we need to rest on how far God’s grace has gone to call us to Himself. There we hear the truth of our hearts. Because God leads us into truth, He never leaves us in ignorance.
However, this process of becoming real often entails an unexpected journey. A journey where we feel worn out. Rather than becoming new. Yet, the reality of prayer indicates that something new results through this journey of love.
Hence, Kyle and John explain:
“This is the reality of prayer. In the truth of our hearts, we discover that the Spirit of the Lord is already in those places, groaning in our souls, beckoning us to follow him into truth. Prayer only becomes real if it follows the Spirit into these places, discovering his love precisely where we need it. . . .
We know something within us must come out to meet God. The longer we are Christians, the more we recognize this, maybe even long for it, but are unsure if we are willing to embrace it. Regardless of this uncertainty in ourselves, this journey of prayer is all about love.”
Today’s question: When do you pray a deep payer for that honest place in your heart? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Distractions during prayer”
