What's the Purpose of Prayer?Smakprov

I’m convinced we’re prone to make entirely too much of visible, quantifiable ministry. Don’t get me wrong–I love sharing the faith that is in me with a big roomful of women and then trusting God with the results. It’s also extremely satisfying to write and then painstakingly edit an article that shows up online and is widely shared on social media. The question is how does one “quantify” a ministry of intercessory prayer when we know it is easily more significant than any more visible or easily measured act of service?

Jesus addressed this tension in his Sermon on the Mount. Although it’s clear from the beginning that he was addressing his disciples in this discourse, he managed to get in a few pointed remarks to the pharisaical bystanders who were giving him the side-eye on the fringes. Rather than showy, street-corner prayers, Jesus advocated for a hidden ministry of intercession:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

Of course, this raises the meddling question: What kind of reward am I looking for?

Consolation in a Shared Struggle

I’ve always found consolation in the knowledge that Elisabeth Elliot also struggled with prayer. Of course, “struggling” is never an excuse for “delayed obedience,” but rather an invitation to ride the bucking bronco of temptation to its mastery, and in this I am always helped by the application of cold, hard facts like this bit of EE wisdom:

"Intercession is the hardest work in the world–the giving of one’s self, time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward you for.” (On Asking God Why, 130)

No wonder intercessory prayer is so hard! It cuts across all my selfishness, all my obsession with results, and all my tendencies to look for my “atta girls” from people rather than from God.

In 2021, God is calling me to pay more attention to the hidden ministry of intercessory prayer, and my obedience looks like a small Post-it note:
carrying a list of names,
carried forward in my planner each week,
carrying the weight of my intention, and holding me accountable to
carry certain people with me into the presence of God every day.

For one, the prayer is, “Grant her, O Lord, her heart’s desire.”
For another, it is, “Strengthen her body for a battle against cancer that’s become so routine for her that she swallows her daily chemo like I swallow my vitamins.”
For a dear aunt, recently widowed, it’s simply a quiet lifting up for joy and peace.

May I ask, gently, who belongs on YOUR Prayer Post-It?
If you are serious about intercessory prayer, you won’t have to look far to find people with needs.

What is your biggest obstacle to a praying life?
What practical steps can you take TODAY to be more available to God for this crucial ministry?