Prayer is not

Excerpt from Erwin Lutzer of Moody Church, from his book How to Have a Whole Heart in a Broken World.

This book which was published in 1987 is more relevant to me then ever before. Dr. Lutzer goes through the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) and reveals the message Christ left for us. Here is an excerpt from the chapter titled Nurturing a Praying Heart, on John 14:8-15. – Lori Jo

"Prayer is not asking for what we want;  it is developing trust that can handle those moments when there is no miracle and when life itself seems to fall apart. Look at Christ in Gethsemane, filled with emotional turbulence, yet submissive to the relentless pain that He would endure on the cross.

Pain is not like putting a quarter into a slot machine-a gambler is willing to part with a bit hoping the return might be worthwhile. When nothing comes out, he looks for some other quick fix that appears to have a better chance of success. In contrast, prayer is hard work; it is getting to know God well enough that we can discern His mind and intentions. And in those instances where we are baffled, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and through us prays with groanings that cannot be put into human words.

The need of the hour is for prayer, but this alarm sounded by so many falls on so many dead ears. Why don't we pray more when we know we should? Marriages are falling apart; tragedies happen in rapid succession. And many believers have no victory at all over these circumstances. A visitor from another planet would never guess that we had  secret resources that are unavailable to the general population. We live in an age when we need to see miracles-lives put together, individuals saved, and strong, self centered wills broken before the Lord. So why don't we pray more?"