Transformed by Prayer

Last Sunday, I preached about our urgent need for being closer to God, and that a primary way we can do that is through prayer. Are you buying it? That sounds kind of crass, but I want to challenge you to really think about it. Are you going to use your life that God has given you to seek closeness with Him via a good prayer life or not?

But what should we pray for? What is the point of prayer? In John 14:13, Jesus says:

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Jesus glorified God on earth, and He glorifies Him in heaven. What He plans to do with our prayer request is to continue to glorify God. If what we are asking for glorifies God most, it is more likely that we can expect a positive answer. I say that with a bit of restraint though because we don’t really KNOW for certain that what we are praying for glorifies Him the most. However, we can certainly seek that goal.

Andrew Murray gives us an idea of where to start.

“Let us begin with confession. How little has the glory of God been an all-absorbing passion: how little our lives and prayers have been full of it. How have we lived in the likeness of the Son, and sympathy with Him – for God and His glory alone… true knowledge and confession of sin are the sure path to deliverance.“

John the Baptist said about Jesus (John 3:30)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”  

It is by dying to self and living for God that we can truly glorify Him. Therefore, the point of our prayer, if it is to coincide most with Jesus’ desire, is that: Whatever we are asking for Lord, let it be most to Your glory. May it be more about You, less about us.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31

Let us pray for His glory,

Bob