Adam White

“This is where I get the image that prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom. It exists for advancing the mission, not for calling the butler to turn up the thermostat. Not that God is opposed to practical, nitty-gritty daily prayers. He simply wants all of them to relate to the mission of your life—that his name be glorified, that people live for fruitful ministry” – John Piper

I heard this tonight while listening to a preach by John Piper.  It really made me stop and think: Do I use prayer for selfish things in my life or are my prayers all about God and the advancement of His kingdom?

It’s so important not to fall into the trap of me, me, me prayers and to remember that it’s all about Jesus. We are to pray everything in His name and to only pray for things that will glorify the father.

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” – John 14:13-14

His preach then led into three practical teachings about prayer:

1. Set aside a set time each day, and don’t leave prayer to chance.
2. Combine prayer with reading the Bible and take what you find in the Bible and turn it into prayer.
3. Pray in concentric circles and make the aim of each circle the glory of God.

This third suggestion is my favourite but needs a little more explanation:

“You can work from outside in, or from inside out. For example, pray for your own soul, then for your family, then for your friends and colleagues, then for your church, then for wider ministries and the global mission of Christ, and then for the political leaders of the land.” – John Piper

If you want to listen/watch the full message from John Piper or read a transcript of the preach you can find it on desiringgod.org

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