A Praying Church, Part 11
May 25, 2023 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
In this series of articles, I seek to unpack the teaching of Paul Miller’s new book, A Praying Church, and apply the principles to our church. As we grow in our prayer habits, may we become people of hope in a discouraging world.
Last week we considered Miller’s teaching about not becoming bogged down with problems in our prayers. He calls his readers to aim for resurrection hope in their prayers, which often does not include relief from physical problems. As with any sensitive topic, the discussion of praying for problems requires careful wisdom and balance. I believe Miller hits this balanced note with his next chapter, titled “Becoming Real in Prayer.”
Authenticity has become a trending word in church circles. Nobody wants to be accused of being inauthentic, or worse, hypocritical. In our prayers, there is no advantage to hide our weaknesses. God invites us to acknowledge our weaknesses in order to rest in his all-sufficient grace and power (2 Cor. 12:9). So, the previous chapter’s warning about becoming bogged down focusing on problems is not an invitation to fake it. The balance is to be open and honest about our problems, while looking and praying for the resurrection work of the Spirit in our lives.
Then, in a chapter I find very helpful, Miller introduces his “Prayer Menu.” This menu aims to help us break away from ruts in our prayers to incorporate more variety. Miller explains, “On the left side of the table, you see three sides to the person of Jesus: his compassion (care for people), his honesty (care for truth), and his dependence (care for his Father). The richness of the person of Jesus offers us a way out of our prayer stiffness… Across the top of the chart, you see three perspectives: me, my world, and God. That is, What’s going on in me? What’s going on in my world? What is going on in God’s heart? This creates nine boxes or windows, each one a way of being human in prayer” (p. 215).
Into which of the nine windows do most of your prayers fall? I know I spend a lot of time in #1 and #8. It’s easy to express my heart, all that I am feeling, to the Lord in prayer. There is nothing wrong with that. Psalm 62:8 calls us to “pour out your heart before him.” And Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
When people ask for prayer, window #8 comes into play. Typically, people share the burdens of their hearts, which they cannot resolve on their own. I bring their needs before the Lord, in dependence on him. Again, this is good and appropriate for prayer.
What about the other seven windows? Like any menu, this provides a map for incorporating other types, or focuses, in our prayers. Miller contends that the middle row, a care for truth, is the weakest in prayer groups. I would say the far-right column, entering God’s heart, is a weak area. Taking Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, we often join him in the first half of the prayer, expressing our desires and needs (“Remove this cup from me”); but we often do not incorporate the second half, yielding to God’s will and desires (“Yet not what I will, but what you will” Mk. 14:36). Utilizing this prayer menu could fill our prayers and bring biblical balance to our requests.
This concludes the fourth section of the book, “The Art of Praying Together.” I appreciate the practical helps Miller offers to enrich our prayer lives. I would encourage you to evaluate your prayer life and your habits of praying with other Christians. Take into consideration some of Miller’s recommendations we have covered over the past few weeks. We all have areas in which we can grow.
