Moving Mountains Group Discipleship Series
Chapter One: Prayer That Works
As believers and those in ministry, we often say things like “remember to pray for… I’ll keep this in my prayers…. please cover this in prayer…” I often find myself saying “I wish I remembered to pray for…”
I am the first to admit I don’t always think through, or follow through, with prayer. The motivation for this study arose out of a personal conviction to deepen my own prayer life, and an inspiration and call to lead us as a team to corporate prayer for the life of each other and our church.
I believe that by wrestling with the ideas and applying the practices presented in this book, we will grow in our personal and corporate prayer lives and see much fruit.
So, let’s jump in.
“There is a way things work. Can you name anything in life where this isn’t so?”
Why do some prayers seem to work, some seem to not work, and others seem to fall somewhere in between? The answers available to us lie in the world and story in which we find ourselves. We live in a world at war, we live in relationship with our creator and each other, and we have a very real part to play in the story. There’s a lot going on, and the scriptures can deepen our understanding of the different forces at play.
“Prayer sets up a terrible dilemma for us. We want to pray; it’s in our nature. We desperately want to believe that God will come through for us. But then . . . he doesn’t seem to, and where does that leave us? I believe God is in the dilemma; I believe he wants us to push through to real answers, solid answers.”
I’m so thankful Eldredge begins by acknowledging we all have our personal stories of answered and unanswered prayers. It’s important as we engage our prayer lives, to acknowledge our places of pain, fear, and doubt, and remember the Good character of God as we move forward.
“But before it could all happen—and this is the first fascinating wrinkle in the story—Elijah had to pray it would rain. Now, why is that? Why didn’t God simply send the rain? We don’t know; we have to stick with the story . . .”
Prayer is not optional. Goodness, as I write this I’m convicted of my own attitude towards prayer at times. Lord, have mercy. We have a part to play. I have a part to play. And how I play my part does affect the outcome of the story. God is gracious and good. He requires us to play our part, and this is part of His goodness.
“James pointed to the famous drought story I just cited, then made a staggering connection—you are no different than Elijah. That was his purpose in using the phrase, “Elijah was a man just like us.” James was trying to disarm that religious posture that so often poisons the value of biblical stories: Well, sure, that was so- and-so [in this case Elijah] and they were different than us. Nope. Not the case. Actually, James makes it very clear: Elijah was a human being just like you. In other words, you can do it too.”
I’ve heard this said a lot, “the bible is a book of examples, not exceptions.” I know I can relate to what Eldredge is getting at here. I often think, under the guise of humility, that many things are out of my league, that I’m not the guy for the job. “I don’t have enough faith, I’m not educated enough, I don’t have the authority here.” Here’s a confession and a perfect example: I was hesitant to bring this study to us, because I didn’t consider my own prayer life good enough to place before the team. Whatever the reason, these things get in the way. Yes, humility is crucial, but only if it brings us before our God in answer to His call, asking for help.
“One side looks like Mordor, the other, Eden. An irrefutable witness to the power of prayer.”
As we “lean in” and engage our prayer lives, I think it would be helpful to think back, and remember some of the prayers God has answered for us over the years. Write them down. Hold on to them. Remember the intimacy that time with God brought. Remember the courage and faith you felt. The truth is our God is always faithful and Good, in the answered prayers and in the moments in between. Ultimately, the fruit of prayer, while it does change things, is that we develop deep relationship with God and grow into the sons and daughters He intends us to be. When we are one with God, we have everything we need.
Scripture for Meditation
14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”
9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
John 14:1-14 NLT
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