All We Can Do Is Pray

Have you ever said something to the affect of, "All we can do is pray"? When you said it how did you feel? Did you feel overwhelmed by the situation? Or did you feel powerless? Do you often feel like the "only" thing you can do is not the best thing? Like you should do something more?

Often it seems that the prevailing attitude concerning prayer is that it is the second best option. It appears that action is viewed as the first best option. This attitude implies that prayer is passive, and the way most of us prayer that may be true. However, prayer is seeking the intervention of the Sovereign Creator in the lives of his creatures. Prayer is the gathering of resources not previously possessed by us and the mustering of strength not our own.

When I say prayer, I do not mean the laundry list of requests that we present before God nor the occasional thanks we proclaim before we eat. I mean prayer of the biblical sort, prayer that acknowledges our utter dependency upon God. It is a prayer that acknowledges our weakness, and turns in hopeful expectation to a sovereign God, who has all power.

The next time you feel prayer is all you can do, rejoice. Prayer really changes things. It moves us beyond human action. It allows us to participate in the providence of God and to take part in his work.