Torch, Spring 1982

spontaneous flow of communication in interpersonal relationships on the human plane , so also should there be between the child of God and his Father. Spontaneity in a relationship results in the free flow of feelings , and the expression of emotions and inner thoughts . When we delete from our prayer life the free expression of our innermost beings, we lose the spontaneity and dynamic of interpersonal relationship with our Father; and we are left with a hollow form , a religious jargon devoid of personal attachment. Our prayers become boring even to us . It is only logical , then , that our Father would encourage us to express ourselves spontaneously and thus with an intensity that should be normal to our interpersonal relationship with Him. EXAMPLES OF INTENSE PRAYING The Scriptures are replete with flesh and blood examples of people who expressed their emotions to God . Abraham vented his disappointment and perplexity over being childless (Genesis 15 :2-3) . Moses related his fear and dismay over the backlash occasioned by this first approach to Pharaoh (Exodus 5:20-23). Nehemiah pleaded with Jehovah to remember him for good when no one else seemed to appreciate him (Nehemiah 5: 19). Job vented his utter frustration at not being able to figure out why he was being so harshly treated (Job 19:7-14), as well as his tenacious trust in God (Job 19:23-25, 23:10). The Psalmist expressed the full gamut of negative and positive emotions - from fear to hope, sorrow to joy, agitation to calmness, hatred to love. Habakkuk almost shouted his question of "Why?" He expressed his consternation at Jehovah's dealings -with men and nations (Habakkuk 1) as well as his quiet confidence in God (Habakkuk 3) . Jonah exploded infrustration over the revival at Nineveh. In fact , it was not until he did so that God dealt with Jonah's warped perspectives . Our Savior expressed His thrill at the wisdom of His Father and His agreement with what He was doing (Matthew 11 :25-27) . He later revealed His deep sense of depression and dread in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-44) . We also hear Paul as he exclaimed his exultation over the wisdom of God's plan of the ages (Romans 11:33-36). Yes, there is a kind of intensity that comes into our prayer lives when we freely express to God those pent– up emotions we are feeling . However, intensity also comes when we bring to our Lord a strong and solid rationale in our requests. Take another look at some of these same examples . Abraham informed God that the only way He could keep His promises to him was to give him a son . Later Abraham appealed to Jehovah to spare Sodom on the basis that it would be unjust to kill the righteous along with the wicked. Moses reminded God that He was the One who had brought Israel out of Egypt and that He was bound by covenant promises to His people and that His own reputation was on the line in caring for Israel in the wilderness. Nehemiah rehearsed all of his selfless activities on behalf of the returned remnant as evidence 13 and as a basis for his prayer. The Psalmist requested that Jehovah spare his life because dead people cannot praise Him . Further, he pleaded for direction in life lest he fail and his enemies scoff at Jehovah . Habakkuk laid out his arguments and objections in no unce~ain terms, insisting that it was highly questionable that a holy God would use unholy men to accomplish His purposes . Daringly, he insisted on a reply (Habakkuk 2: 1). Hezekiah took Sennacherib's threatening letter and spread it out before the Lord imploring Him to defend Jerusalem for His ow~ namesake . In other words, the folks in the Bible brought to their God intense feelings and forceful logic , and by means of such they moved the Almighty to hear, to respond, to act on their behalf. And we can and must learn to do the same! AN EXAMPLE A few years ago a pastor was facing some very threatening oppos1tlon. Some church members disagreed with his interpretation of a few Bible passages and were threatening to call him before a council of fellow ministers for examination . He had also been threatened with being "blackballed" from the ministry altogether. The young man did not know what to do. He could s~e himself "bombing out" of the ministry in total disgrace . One day, as he dropped his wife off at a shopping mall, he headed for the outer edge of its new 1 y completed parking area . There, he paced back and forth and poured out his fears to his Lord. With a rising sense of desperation he reasoned with the Lord as follows : "Lord, you called me to this church. You know all that has gone on. I do not know what else to do. These threats just terrify me . You must do something to help me." He relates that at that point in his praying a verse of Scripture , memorized in years gone by , jumped into his awareness - "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee . So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:5-6). God had answered! It did not matter what mere people might do to him, for God Himself was his portion and stay! A tremendous sense of relief and ~eace flooded over him and it became the turning point m the crisis he was facing in his church. He had laid it all ~ut before the Lord . He had strongly expressed his feelmgs and reasonings to God - and the Lord had answered! A CHALLENGE Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let's abandon nonchalant praying . Let's not miss the dynamic and spontaniety of a prayer relationship marked by a free expression of feeling and logic . By all means , let's share with our Father in Heaven our inner life . Get those thoughts out into the open in order that our God can deal with them and with us . Lord, teach us to pray reverently - with intensity!