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Francis Chan: Christians Not Praying How God Intended Many Christians today are praying the wrong way, all too often focused on themselves than on the mission of God, influential preacher and bestselling author Francis Chan lamented. |
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I agree! We usually tell God our plans & ask Him to bless them! We know this to be true by the condition of our country! As the church goes, so goes the country! The people for the most part are not taught discipleship, yet alone praying as Jesus did. And if they do, do they demonstrate it from the pulpit and in their daily lives?? Judgement must begin in the house of God! Just as the disciples did not ask "Lord, teach us to preach, or witness, or give... but Lord, teach us to pray! May the cry be heard through out our land! Then we'll see how our great God responds! Your kingdom come, Your will be done! I know there are alot out there that are praying & teaching correctly, but our heart cry has to be for all of the body, for we are to become the beautiful bride at His coming!
AMEN!!! We have become so accustomed to "powder puff" praying that biblical praying sounds radical to our ears. I have such a burning desire to gain the grace and the discipline to "Come silently, come slowly, be careful." I think God's heart is sorely grieved when He hears immature praying coming from the mouths of seasoned believers.
As I read the first part of the article, I didn't really agree, but I think it's because I'm blessed to be in a church/community where the leadership is seeking first God's kingdom through their prayers. However, he said some things at the end that struck a chord in me, like how we use prayer as a transition piece from praise to sermon during services, instead of a congregation coming into the presence of God. I think we are guilty of approaching our worship services looking for what we'll get out of it, instead of coming to offer a sacrifice of praise. We seem to think we're entitled to the "warm fuzzies" instead of realizing how wretched we are apart from God's mercy and grace, and the indebtedness we have to Him because of the price He paid for us. And as long as we think that way, then yes, we will pray incorrectly. God forgive us and change our hearts.
I, too, have seen evidence of this type of self praying several ways. One is in political situations, where we may have strong feelings, and we pray the way “we think” rather than invite the Lord to guide our prayers. At times like these we are so convinced that our thoughts are God’s desires.
Other times I have seen this type of self praying if for members of our family, close friends, or business associates. The self praying is a desire to see what “we think” and pray that for them, again rather than invite the Lord to guide our prayers.
I have observed it most often among those who have not taken advantage of prayer training when available. We need a teachable spirit when it comes to things of God. Our prayers should always focus on what God wants, and ask his help in guiding us as we pray for others.