Probably said thousands of times a week by Christians around the world when facing a problem or question without a present answer. Is it the right response?
It’s not wrong to pray about a matter, of course. But prayer is often used as a substitute for the hard work of studying God’s Word to discover the facts needed. Prayer doesn’t automatically “work” in solving problems. Christians need to learn this fact.
Moreover, when God has already answered a question or given directions, why should we want to shortcut the process of discovering what that answer is by simply praying about it? Should we expect God to tell us individually the answer we seek, when He has already done so in His Word?
But there is something “mystically” special to some people about prayer. They think of prayer as more spiritual that Bible study! There’s the heart of the matter. Is it superior? Both are from God each has its place, but prayer is no substitute for hard study to find out truth.
Indeed, here is one to think about: Why would our words (prayer) be considered superior, more spiritual, etc., to God’s Word (in Scripture)? Isn’t what He says far more important than what you hasve to utter?
Growing up, I most certainly resorted to this as a cop-out. Sadly, it wasn’t so much that I intentionally avoided the hard work, rather, I thought that’s just what you did. It wasn’t ’till I read “The Christian’s Guide to Guidance: How to Make Biblical Decisions in Everyday Life” that I learned and gained something VERY important. HOPE! Prayer alone often lead to dissapointment or unresolved issues because I didn’t realize my responsibility. But learning that I had a responsibility to use God’s Word as my guide and that there were actions that I could take…it made all the world of a difference. Thank you Jay!
I think that what is important is to be with Him in both prayer and Bible study–waiting on Him, meditating. If it is just Bible study, then I can become proud like a Pharisee, even doctrinaire with knowledge without love. If it is just prayer, then I might use God to be at my command and not have my directions from God’s Word.
So right! So right! Love the emphasis on Bible knowledge. Knowing what God has already said does take work, but it will save time, effort, and nerves.
In fact men are encouraged to pray without ceasing. Prayer is the way we communicate with God in the real of the Spirit if you will. I totally agree that prayer is not a substitute for “hard study” of the scriptures for truth. All the answeres to lifes question can be found in them. I think what happens is that we have been taught over the years to make our request known unto God, and that is where we start and end, Instead of seraching the perfect law of liberty (scripture). The word of God is like a mira, reveling to us who we are, and most people would rather not see the truth. Thanks for your post.