Continuing with the introduction to the PAPA Prayer, Larry Crabb, lists the benefits of this type of ‘relational’ prayer:
Relational prayer leads to personal transformation
I like the analogy that accompanies this portion – basically it is Augustine’s argument of a God shaped space or vacuum within each of us that only God can fill. When we have committed our lives to Christ, His Spirit indwells us and fills every available space.
Note the word available! I know I’ve been guilty of this – filling myself with things rather than leaving ‘space’ for the Spirit.
‘…wanting God more than any other blessing I can imagine’ is the way Crabb describes a major result of this prayer, and making room in the soul for God to fill begins with surrender and wanting God alone as the first thing.
Relational prayer lets us hear God’s voice
“Sometimes”, he says, “not often, I hear His [God’s] voice.” That is a second blessing from relational prayer, as listed in Jeremiah 32-40-41 where God says, “I will never stop doing good to them…I will rejoice in doing them good, with all my heart and soul.”
And, as love begets love, Crabb calls this ‘falling in love with God’
This form of prayer helped him to look forward to prayer, to not find it boring as it had seemed in the past, and actually providing passion for other types of prayer such as petitionary and thanksgiving.
Communicating with God
Other-centered prayer = Other-centered actions
That is the formula Crabb sees when he discusses relational prayer, and YEA! He uses John 15:4-7 – Jesus telling us to remain in Him, to abide in Him as a branch sticks close to the vine.
I SO agree with him that “when we are caught up with WHO it is we are relating to, prayers of worship and adoration naturally follow”.
Birthday Party today - Taco Salad Makings (Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Avocado, cheese, onions, crushed Fritos for topping, meat not shown).
No comments:
Post a Comment