3 Reasons Prayer Matters to Me
As a Yankee from the States, let me say a hearty ‘howdy’ to the 24-7 whānau here in this wonderful country. Since 2005, I’ve lived, met-and-married, played music, fathered, preached, failed, studied, explored, photographed, created woodworks, and genuinely loved doing life here.
In this short blog, I’m keen to share my three top reasons why, even though I don’t claim to be a super-spiritual person, prayer has become fundamentally central to my life.
1. Prayer is the pathway to Church Unity
I am one of the very few people I know who has the word ‘prayer’ in their job title (‘Prayer Leader’ for Auckland Church Network). A huge part of our vision at Auckland Church Network is drawing the whole church of Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau together in unity. Simply put, if we cannot pray together, then we really don’t have any unity to build upon. I relish the times I get to participate in gatherings where we come together in spite of our differences of denomination, style, ethnicity and language and seek the kingdom of God together.
There are so many ways that Christians pray, and I need them all. All kinds of prayers… at all kinds of times… with and for all kinds of Christians (Ephesians 6:18).
I haven’t always been a shining light for unity. I’ve too often critiqued my sisters and brothers. And yes, purity does matter. Truth matters. But if a person or church believes the basics that have been believed across time and culture, then that means they are my sister or brother, and I can learn from them… and pray with them.
2. Prayer keeps us from perpetuating injustice
I’m passionate about biblical justice and used to help lead The Justice Conference while working for Tearfund NZ (2019-2022). I believe our world is very confused about justice, and that many of our efforts to rectify injustice unintentionally create more injustice. Down through the history and across cultures, the oppressed become oppressors.
We must pray before, during and after our efforts to make the world a better place. If we don’t, we’ll risk keeping it broken.
When we follow the teaching of Jesus and pray for those who persecute us, we stop the cycle. When we walk humbly with our God and have mercy for the other, we can truly do justice (Micah 6:8). Situations are de-escalated. Temperatures cool off. Enemies are loved. Justice is made possible.
3. Prayer keeps me sane
Again, I don’t think of myself as a super-spiritual person. My passion for prayer is less about me suspecting I know something about prayer, and more about me being absolutely convinced that I need prayer. Dale means ‘valley’, and I’m grateful that the rain of God not only falls on the mountain top but also richly fills the valleys.
One theologian describes sin as trying to be more than, or less than, truly human as God’s image bearing creature. I relate to this. I’m always trying to be more than human. I judge situations as though I were God. I also know my capacity to be less than human. We all know how easy it is to relax into living like an animal.
Prayer keeps me in the sweet, holy, middle where God created us – humbly under God and lovingly over the rest of creation.
I look forward to meeting and praying with some of you, and seeking more the kingdom on earth.