Another area where I’m seeing this is in regards to my prayer life. I don’t pray as expectantly as I am called to pray. I was really floored by reading this in Paul Miller’s excellent book A Praying Life:
Deep down, we just don’t believe God is as generous as he keeps saying he is. That’s why Jesus added the fine print—‘ask in my name’. Let me explain what that means.
Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffled toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: “I want to see the king.” Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word, “Jesus. I come in the name of Jesus.” At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.
The name of Jesus gives my prayer royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of my soul. He’s also the Savior of my prayers. (Miller, 135)
With such wonderful access to a good God, my prayers really should be far more bold than they are. I think I’m only just now learning this.
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