A Summary Theology of Prayer

Desiring God Minitries: Fresh Words ^ | June 2002 | John Piper

[sola gracia]

A Summary Theology of Prayer

June 2002

Below are five statements from John Piper as a summary theology of prayer. An assumption behind these statements is that to know more of God’s purpose will deepen our commitment to pray and help us glorify God for why he does what he does.

1. God created the universe and all that is in it to display the riches of the glory of his grace.

• Isaiah 43:6-7: Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

• Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14: to the praise of his glorious grace…to the praise of his glory…to the praise of his glory.

• Romans 9:23:…in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory.

2. Therefore all persons should act in a way that calls attention to the glory of God’s grace.

• Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

3. The obedience and service of God’s people will glorify him most when they consciously and manifestly depend on him for the grace and power to do what they do.

• 1 Peter 4:11 Whoever speaks [must do so] as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12: To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. Prayer for God’s help is one way that God preserves and manifests the dependence of his people on his grace and power. The necessity of prayer is a constant reminder and display of our dependence on God for everything, so that he gets the glory when we get the help.

• Psalm 50:15: Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.

• John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

5. When the Spirit inspires and directs the groanings in our hearts, the ultimate purpose of the universe happens: God gets the glory because God the Spirit creates the groanings in us; God gets the glory because God the Father is the one who hears and performs what the Spirit asks; God gets glory because God the Son purchased for sinners every blessing they ever receive; and God gets glory because our hearts are made the theater for this divine activity, so that we know and experience God’s gracious intercession for us and consciously give him thanks and praise.

Pastor John Piper
Bethlehem Baptist Church

[sola gracia]

Some more good stuff from PIPER BUMP.

[My2Cents]

When the Spirit inspires and directs the groanings in our hearts, the ultimate purpose of the universe happens: God gets the glory because God the Spirit creates the groanings in us; God gets the glory because God the Father is the one who hears and performs what the Spirit asks; God gets glory because God the Son purchased for sinners every blessing they ever receive; and God gets glory because our hearts are made the theater for this divine activity, so that we know and experience God’s gracious intercession for us and consciously give him thanks and praise.

This concurs with my understanding and experience of prayer. Prayer is less my presenting some laundry list to God. Prayer is more the mind of God impressing itself upon my mind, and the heart of God impressing itself upon my heart, such that the prayers prayed are the articulation of the mind and heart of God. This kind of praying is only possible from those who understand the grace of God and their dependence upon it (prayer is a grace, not a "work"), and those who understand the union they have with Christ, and that Christ is there very life. Understanding these things, one can consciously expect Christ to actually pray through a person. I have found this to be more readily realized in group prayer, among a group of people who understand the grace of God, and the union they have in Christ.

As to the "glory of God," I've come to understand glory to mean the manifestation of God Himself...God glorifies Himself by actually showing up, and communicating His mind, heart, and grace, among His people so that they can be distinctly discerned or seen.

[xzins]

In my opinion, this is a worthless piece if it doesn't deal with this issue: "Does prayer change things or doesn't it?"

[My2Cents]

I don't want to seem trite, but prayer is less about changing things; it's more about articulating back to God His heart and mind, i.e., His will. In this sense, if people pray back to God the things that God has placed on their hearts and minds, they are praying in God's will, and God will answer, and this may result in changing things. But often, prayer isn't about changing things. At least that's my experience and understanding (at this point of my spiritual journey).

[xzins]

I said any discussion on prayer must deal with this issue. I didn't say this issue was the only issue.

Can prayer actually change things. Can God see things a certain way and then someone prays and then God changes things such that it was different than what he had formerly seen?