A Meditation on Prayerlessness

In the Desiring God article, “Start Asking God for More,” Gary Millar writes, “Paul Miller so helpfully says that “learned desperation is at the heart of a praying life” (A Praying Life, 98). Consider, as I did upon reading, your praying life. Examine your motivations and your desires.

Here are some helpful questions and my responses. Do you pray? I rarely do. Do I ask God that his will be done? I do if I find it accords with my will. Do I pray according to the mandates set out in Scripture? I am distracted, wandering, and stringing things together. Do I ask for the Holy Spirit’s help? I depend on my own strength and quench him.

In response, I wrote this poem. I pray it would minister to you. And, I pray, that together we would become a prayer-saturated church, out of our dependence upon the LORD for all things good and holy.

Prayerlessness

Prayerlessness
Is
Hopelessness
No
Hope in God
But
Trust in man
Self-
Sufficiency
I’m
Poor, needy
Spend
Time searching
For
The Answers

Incline your
Gaze
Vertical,
Not
Horizontal.
For
Vertical
Is
Where Love lies
Is
Where Hope cries
Is
Where Freedom
Shouts
Over many
Sons
And daughters
With
Ravishing
Grace
And desire.

Close to him,
Breathe
His life in.
Know
His steadfast
Love,
His
Faithfulness
Trust.
Take your seat
In
The heavens
With
Confidence
And
Give requests
To
Your great God,
Full
Of kindness,
Full
Of mercy,
Set
On you, yes –
You –
In His love.