The Practice and Power of Prayer

And there it was – my name, written down in his little prayer book. I’ll come back to this scene later. It’s one of many experiences that have had a major, life-long impact on my concept and practice of prayer. To be honest, prayer is often a challenge for me to be consistent and disciplined. 

I think we all like the promise of Jesus in Matthew 18:19-20: “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”  

That speaks of believers praying together. But on the other hand, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the personal and private nature of prayer:

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-8). 

I’ve already confessed that my personal discipline is not always as it should be in my prayer life. But I’ve also experienced seasons when God dropped some “little miracles” into my faith journey. One such experience was wrapped up in my opening sentence above: And there it was, my name …  

On a fine October weekend at a men’s retreat, I had been richly fed with Christian principles, challenges, and fellowship. It was a deep-water faith event, and I was challenged to grow in my commitment to Christ. Ironically, one of the greatest blessings that weekend was Mark. He wasn’t teaching or even participating in the retreat sessions for the men. He was just a guy on the staff serving great meals whenever we went to the chow hall. 

However, every time I saw Mark, his face and demeanor simply radiated a subtle glow, something I can’t adequately put into words. Was it peace? Joy? Depth? Humility? Jesus? Those words are a good start to describe the impact he had on me, though we never even had a conversation throughout the entire weekend. 

That Sunday afternoon, I knew everyone was eager to head out and get back to home and family. Nevertheless, I quickly went in search of Mark. I wanted to say thanks for serving us so well at mealtime. But I was also confident that I could trust him with a couple of prayer requests that I hadn’t even shared with any of the brothers I’d met on the retreat.  

“Mark, I wanted to ask you to pray about something for me,” I said. 

“Sure!” he replied. “Let me write your name on my prayer list.” As I talked, his face slowly grew into a broad smile. He pulled a worn pad from his pocket and began to open it. His smile grew into an ear-to-ear grin as he turned to show me his list.  

“Look here,” he said. “See my last entry?” 

And there it was – my name, already written down in his little prayer book. 

Recalling this priceless experience is a comfort to my soul and a challenge to my mind to again revive my prayer life – prayer for others and for self. And it reminds me to praise God that my name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life. To Him be the glory!