Church bulletin:
I think some Christians can be overly analytical & too concerned with crossing Ts and dotting Is. Those in conservative circles are probably more susceptible. I am not in any sense advocating a lazy and careless approach to faith and practice, but it seems to me that we suck the life out of something if all we are concerned with is the letter of the law and getting it right (not that we want to get it wrong either!). Getting it right invariably means an endless array of requirements, when in fact, God is far less exacting and far more gracious than we imagine.
This issue came to a head for me some time ago in relation to a book on prayer. The book left me somewhat exasperated. When the disciples asked Christ to teach them to pray, He provided a simple outline with 6 points (depending how you break it up, 5 – 7 points). Adoration – our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Consecration – Your kingdom come; your will be done. Supplication – give us our daily bread. Confession – forgive us our debts. Intercession – as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Protection – lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
Christ pointed out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and instructed His disciples in a way that is straightforward and memorable. There is more that we can learn about prayer from elsewhere in the Bible, but He did not respond with a long list of rules and requirements. He did not tell His disciples to dissect their prayers, analyse their motives, question their sincerity, engage in endless introspection.
The book mentioned provides over 30 points to cultivate a healthy prayer life. More than 30 points, some of which make little sense – we must strive in prayer but not in our own strength (how do I strive yet it’s not me that is striving?). We are told that unless the Spirit blows through us like wind in the sails of a ship, our prayers will be unspiritual (what does that mean?). It’s suggested that if we feel energized & moved in prayer then we are probably guilty of praying in the flesh (why?).
In my view the book is stifling. It does more to discourage than motivate. If I was to pray with these points in mind it would overwhelm me. Did I cross the Ts and dot the Is? Did I pray in the flesh or in the Spirit? Was I sincere enough? Did I wrongly experience satisfaction in my prayer time? How can I pray more believingly, more submissively, more humbly, more boldly, more perseveringly, more thankfully, more sincerely, more watchfully, more reverently, more spiritually, more fervently, more constantly, more dependently, more unworthily, more contentedly, more scripturally, more thoughtfully………….
I do not doubt that every one of us can learn more about prayer and grow in our prayer lives. It is true to say that not all praying is good praying. But we run aground when we are more concerned to get prayer right rather than engaging in the act itself. Don’t be overly analytical when it comes to prayer or many other things for that matter. Your prayers will never be perfect, they will always be characterized by shortcomings and tainted with sin, nevertheless, God wants to hear from you. Thankfully, prayer is made acceptable as we come to God through Christ.
If you approach prayer from the perspective of ticking boxes rather than communion, you have missed the point. God does not intend prayer to be a to do list which shackles, but a means through which He draws us to Himself in devotion and dependence. Like the old Nike advert “just do it”, just pray.