CHAPTER FOUR
Petitionery PrayerI wondered at first why the lady included petitionery prayer as the third of her three P’s. Then I recognized that idea of predestination, as conceived by some people, could imply that there’s no point in praying for another’s salvation since God has decided that already. Thus you don’t need to pray for someone God has chosen, because they will be saved anyway. And there’s no point in praying for the unchosen, because you can’t change God’s mind. And likewise, there’s no point in missions or evangelism. As one man told William Carey, “If God wants to save the heathen, he can do it without you and me.”
On realizing this, my mind went first to a prayer list I had during high school and college. I can’t find it now, but there were at least 15-20 people listed on it who were not Christians so far as I knew. I was able for two or three years to pick up three high school friends and take them to Sunday School and worship with me in my Jeep. All three accepted Christ, and over the years I heard back they were actively serving Him in their churches. I added my grandfather to the list though he was a very old man. My mother told me he was baptized at around 90 years old.
I had a Jewish friend tragically killed in an auto accident while in med school. In the aftermath of that awful event, we learned that a few days before his death he had told his mother, “I dreamed I saw Jesus last night!” I also had a Jewish high school teacher whom I put on the list, not really expecting a result, but I prayed for him anyway. Then one day when I was home, I saw him down the hall at our church. Again I asked and was told he had been baptized that year and was very regular. Still another high school teacher on the list died in the last few years. I noted in the obituary the service was in an Episcopal church, leading me to believe that may have completed my list.
Do I think my prayers alone caused these people to be saved? No I don’t. But I do think they may have contributed. I’m sure others were praying and perhaps sharing their faith with each of them. Remember, I did what I could in bringing my three friends to church. I also wrote my grandfather a letter that presented the gospel and my wish for him to become a Christian.
Jesus repeated talked about prayer and encouraged his disciples to follow his example by praying themselves. He told his followers, “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Paul regularly reported that he was praying for his readers.
The evidence is strong that the Lord calls us to pray for others, both for their salvation and spiritual well-being. Look at some of Paul’s prayers near the beginnings of his letters. He doesn’t pray for their physical health, but specifically for their spiritual health, reversing our usual practice.
AN ADDITIONAL NOTE ON PRAYER
I have taught courses on prayer and preached on how to pray effectively, but I have a confession to make. Much of the teaching, preaching, and books on prayer seem to take an attitude that prayer can be like magic. They imply that if one could only learn to pray better, God would be more likely to give them what they want. Well, that’s sort of true, but I really question the motives here, like can you give me a better magic word to make this mountain disappear? Or help me get a new Caddilac?
Prayer is simply talking with God. WITH God. A conversation. Talking and listening. I’m convinced God is trying to answer more of our prayers if we would only shut up and listen. I didn’t have to learn to talk to my parents. I just did. Likewise kids everywhere talk to their parents and ask for all sorts of stuff.
The important thing is to ask for the best stuff. Salvation. Spiritual health. God’s will and purpose for our lives. Direction for the day. Yes, you can ask for anything, even frivolities. But why?
And don’t forget to listen! The best part about prayer is what God tells YOU. And that’s often pointing out a better direction for you life.
