Amazingly, this is the fourth week of my 'Tuesday Prayer' series, where each week I try and share a quote or thought from my reading on the topic that I've found particularly helpful or challenging. This week, following quotes from Tom Wright, John Wimber and Richard Foster, I want to share the following from Don Carson, one of my favourite writers;
"“all praying presupposes an underlying theology; conversely, our theology will have a decisive influence on our praying... deepening grasp of Scripture is bound to have a reforming influence on our praying”
Who in their right mind argues with a Don :)
ReplyDeleteHe's absolutely right. I believe in a sovereign God who is not taken aback by anything that takes place and who works everything after His purpose and who will in the end work all things for my good. That shapes my prayer and the confidence and peace I have in the toughest of circumstances.
Hi Anonymous, thanks for the comment.
DeleteI think that is a true and beautiful view of God that echoes the way theology can shape our prayer. I think you are right in saying that a biblical understanding gives us confidence and peace in prayer...
thanks again for the comment!
Very true, very important. I wondered about the converse though. What impact does our prayer have on our theology, or what impact should our prayer have on our theology? Could be looked at from the angle of the forms of prayer we inherit and how they shape our (implicit) theology, but also from the angle of how our relationship with God now, and the prayer (speaking and listening) can impact on our theology. Could ask the question - does/should our time of prayer change what I believe, or how I interpret scripture?
ReplyDeleteHi Mark, thanks for the comment.
DeleteI think you make a good point. What I think is most important, as Steve Holmes writes in a blog post, that 'the theologian is the one who prays', a thought echoed in many places. I think that is absolutely true. I've found in growing older - in faith and life - that I use more and more sources of prayer, even as I do branch out in my reading. My core theology doesn't change - even if my prayers sometimes do. Good thoughts though, nicely provoked!
I think the point about scripture is particularly interesting - both in terms of being led to the truth and how we think the Spirit interacts with us through/with scripture.
Thanks again for the comment!