I want to thank all those who have been making comments and following the blog. I will try to respond to as many questions and comments (if there is need). That does not mean that I will agree with all comments as in some cases, we may have a difference of views but I will do my best to explain my stand and why I choose to be there - both the theological and societal implications.
Why do I not quote the exact passages in Scripture for my responses? I deliberately decided not to do so because it may lead into this becoming an academic paper. I want this to be as simple as possible so that anybody will have access to it and understand it without the need for much theological studies.
In many sections, the Judeo-Christian scripture tends to suggest that prayer may have a dual role - imploring on God to change his mind/will thereby cathering to the whims/will of the one asking; and letting the will of God be done. In daily life, we know of people who quite often pray that God will grant one thing or another to them. These people often point to the injunctions of Christ, "ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you." So, when such persons do not get what they want, they tend to get angry at God.
The simplest answer to the dilemma of choosing either of these stands is to look at the life of Christ. Prayer understood in the light of the teachings of Christ is a communication with God. Now, as young people, we communicated with adults in our lives. Sometimes we asked for what we needed/wanted and got them, at other times we did but did not get them. Why? That I believe I need something does not necessarily mean it is meant to be for me. God in his infinite wisdom knows what we need and what will benefit us. Sometimes when prayers are not answered, it could be because God delays the response to see how faithful one would be. It could also be that God knows what will result from getting what we ask, and maybe, it may end up working against our spiritual growth. Finally, it may also be that it is not in accordance with the will of God for us.
Does prayer change God's mind/will? Not necessarily! Prayer helps us to realize God's will in all instances. The reality is that when we pray the "Our Father," which is the model for all Christian prayers, we say, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." Prayer enhances the realization of what the will of God is, and the acceptance of such by humans. Remember that though Christ taught his disciples this prayer, and knew what the will of God for him was, he still prayed at the Mount of Olives, "Father, take this cup away from me..." In the same instance he recognizes that though he may want this taken away, this may not be the will of God. So, he said, "NNot my will, but your will be done." This must have presented a crisis point in his human nature for he really would not want to go through this humanly speaking for no one likes suffering, but he also understood the mission entrusted to him. He could also refuse to do it by running away. But he stayed so that the will of God may be fulfilled in him.
Our prayer should be to ask for what we need, but to be open to the will of God which may not be in accordance with our will. Prayer is not meant to be an ocassion to change God's will, but an ocassion to enhance it. Does it mean that we do not need to pray as some people say that what will happen will happen? No, we still need to pray. If we succumb to such philosophy, we are led along the fatalistic fallacy whereby things are on their course and nothing can change them. Looking at the miracles of Jesus and the way he cured those who approached him, one can see that they in a sense created the conditions that enhanced the will of God. one said, "If you will, you can cure me... and Jesus said, I will, be cured." He lets the will of God be done.
Does God change his mind/will? No! God sees all things and knows all things even things yet to come. So, when he delays in responding to us, it is for a purpose - to invite us to trust in divine providence. His response is for our good. Our prayer is absolutely necessary as we see in the faith of those who defied the people to dare to approach him, such as the woman who was haemorrhaging and Zacchaeus. Prayer is an expression of faith in Christ, and trust in divine providence. Divine providence does not necessarily promise to grant all things we ask, but the things that are for our good. Why then did Christ tell his foloowers to ask? So that they may express their trust in divine providence and faith in him.
The next installment will be on free will and perfect choices.
I think that sometimes we get in the habit of seeing prayer as a one way conversation (us speaking to God) when we know that one way conversations in our daily lives are often not fruitful.
ReplyDeleteChanging our understanding of prayer as a two way conversation means we must be content to sit and listen for God's response. Taking the time to wait and listen trains us to understand how God speaks to us so we can hear his voice.
Thanks Bernard for this observation. It is important for us to think about our relationship with other human beings be they family, friends or colleagues. When we communicate with them, we do not just keep talking without listening. It is usually a give and take and often the situations demand that we listen attentively. That is the same with our praying. God expects us to listen attentively so we can discern his will in the midst of the often so many distractions in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful response to the question respecting prayer. I believe it will be very helpful in giving all of us a more mature understanding and awareness of the purpose of prayer. I particularly like what you said: Prayer understood in the light of the teachings of Christ is a communication with God. I would like to think of prayer as the lifting of one’s heart to God in a relationship of love and trust. To pray for another is to place and trust the needs of that person and their situation into the hands of that trusted relationship. This not only creates a relatedness and support with the person for whom the prayer is being offered, but also expresses our desire that the gift of grace be present in these circumstances. I feel, however, that the very nature of placing our or another’s needs in the hands of that trusted relationship of love not only implies but moves us towards an acceptance of that which may or may not be what we ourselves desire. The example you gave of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane is certainly a beautiful illustration of this. Does not faith, love, trust, relatedness imply a confidence in the “Absolute”, and setting aside our own very limited and fragile understanding of things.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated your comments. Keep it up.
Wow. Fantastic! Absolutely enjoying the Blog.I look forward to the next one.
ReplyDelete"Prayer is not meant to be an occasion to change God's will, but an occasion to enhance it.” I agreed with all that you had to say, I especially liked the above mentioned comment. In my walk with God, communing with Him through prayer and mediation continue to challenge me to look beyond my limited perceptions and see into the heart of the one who is leading/God me. I may not like where I am being led or trust it, but if I can remain open to Him/God and the wisdom and love that makes its way to me through Him, it always softens the pain of having to let go of that which I cling to.
ReplyDelete