Prayer as friendship: George Buttrick
George Buttrick, from his book entitled PRAYER.
"Prayer is friendship with God. Friendship is not formal, but it is formless: it has its cultivation, its behavior, its obligations, even its disciplines; and the casual mind kills it." And thus Buttrick embarks on a very inFORMal look at prayer through the template of the Lord's Prayer. Based on his comments, I recognize that prayer and friendship, as concepts, should have a great deal in common, especially if we believe that prayer is conversation. There is no relationship without communication. There is not Christian discipleship without prayer.
Two things jumped out at me this week, and both of them deal with the question "How can I tell when God is speaking to me?"
1. Do you take time to listen to God when you pray? George Buttrick writes, "Intervals of prayer should be filled with meditation. After thanksgiving we should contemplate God's goodness, and await his word concerning his own gifts. After confession, we should adore the pardoning Love made known in Christ, and listen for his guidance. After intercession we should pause to try to see the whole world's need as Christ saw it from his cross. After petition we should wait again to meditate upon the Will."
He concludes, "Prayer is listening as well as speaking, receiving as well as asking; and its deepest mood is friendship held in reverence."
If prayer is conversation, then two must communicate. Spend more time being a good listener to your Heavenly Father.
2. Do you pray for specific answers to your questions? How do you know if God is speaking, if you do not know what he will say? You do not know the Scripture, if you do not know what kind of things God will say. Also, God may answer many prayers over and over again, but you have not seen or heard his response because you are not looking for the answers he may give. Buttrick suggests we write down our thanksgivings and praises to God, make a list of individuals who need love (and their needs), and be specific about our prayers. Specific prayers will lead to clear answers and will address specific issues. Simply put, James 4:3 "You have not because you ask in the wrong way."
So, we are encouraged this week to pray specifically (while seeking God's word and will) and to pray at times silently--with a listening ear.
"Prayer is friendship with God. Friendship is not formal, but it is formless: it has its cultivation, its behavior, its obligations, even its disciplines; and the casual mind kills it." And thus Buttrick embarks on a very inFORMal look at prayer through the template of the Lord's Prayer. Based on his comments, I recognize that prayer and friendship, as concepts, should have a great deal in common, especially if we believe that prayer is conversation. There is no relationship without communication. There is not Christian discipleship without prayer.
Two things jumped out at me this week, and both of them deal with the question "How can I tell when God is speaking to me?"
1. Do you take time to listen to God when you pray? George Buttrick writes, "Intervals of prayer should be filled with meditation. After thanksgiving we should contemplate God's goodness, and await his word concerning his own gifts. After confession, we should adore the pardoning Love made known in Christ, and listen for his guidance. After intercession we should pause to try to see the whole world's need as Christ saw it from his cross. After petition we should wait again to meditate upon the Will."
He concludes, "Prayer is listening as well as speaking, receiving as well as asking; and its deepest mood is friendship held in reverence."
If prayer is conversation, then two must communicate. Spend more time being a good listener to your Heavenly Father.
2. Do you pray for specific answers to your questions? How do you know if God is speaking, if you do not know what he will say? You do not know the Scripture, if you do not know what kind of things God will say. Also, God may answer many prayers over and over again, but you have not seen or heard his response because you are not looking for the answers he may give. Buttrick suggests we write down our thanksgivings and praises to God, make a list of individuals who need love (and their needs), and be specific about our prayers. Specific prayers will lead to clear answers and will address specific issues. Simply put, James 4:3 "You have not because you ask in the wrong way."
So, we are encouraged this week to pray specifically (while seeking God's word and will) and to pray at times silently--with a listening ear.
Labels: friendship, George Buttrick, prayer
posted by Randy Rogers at
12:18 PM
4 Comments:
You misquoted Buttrick, "Friendship is not formal, but it is not formless." is the correct line.
I was enlightened and only miserabley encouraged by his admonishment to be specific in our private prayers, sometimes I am rather obtuse in my petitions, or maybe I know that what I am asking is selfish.
On another subject here is something from Dr R Davis:
http://aintsobad.typepad.com/aintsobad/2010/07/evangelist-rick-davis.html
Oops. Sorry I missed the "not" there. I read it several times, and missed each one. Perfect example of trying to get the page to say something it doesn't.
Praying specifics will lengthen your time in prayer. And it will also 1) help you reflect on your own personal desires, and 2) give God a chance to answer specifically.
Yeah but, it is so introspective and there is no one to deflect the glaring light of day off on! 8~)
Here is a piece on prayer from the former Director...
http://aintsobad.typepad.com/aintsobad/2010/07/confidence-in-prayer-is-faith-in-god.html
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