by Alaina Stevens, Youth Intern
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
If the practice of being constant in prayer is the defining “mark of a true Christian,” these words of Paul stop me in my tracks. Is it possible, in this compartmentalized and micro-scheduled world, to truly obey this command? Our responsibility to follow Biblical mandates offers a resounding “yes,” but my heart responds with the question of “how?” By “constant,” Paul actually refers to the Greek word “proskartereo,” which communicates the idea of “attending to, devoting oneself to, or standing ready.” It sounds a little exhausting, does it not?
More than once, I’ve listened to theological thinkers grapple with the implications of this passage. Often, we like to reconcile the application of this verse by encouraging each other to adopt an “attitude of prayer.” As long as we cloak ourselves in an intangible aura of “prayerfulness,” we’re golden. And there we have it, a puzzling mandate wrapped up in a tidy box with a glittering ribbon on top. And we feel as if this seemingly impossible mandate has become finally attainable. I’m not sure about you, but my prayer life can be described as anything but a tidy box, and for a few moments, I’d like to share with you my unpolished, messy, and true-to-life experience of Romans 12:12:
- All of humanity experiences needs: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Christians are no exception. My needs inevitably reside at the forefront of my mind. These many diverse needs tend to determine the way I view life.
- In any given situation, I realize myself lacking in some way. It may be an anticipated or imagined lack, but a lack nonetheless of physical, emotional, mental, or emotional stability or provision.
- Tension comes when what had previously been a stable condition becomes a preoccupying issue, or when my false security of being sufficient to ensure my own wellbeing has been dissolved.
- At this point, I start examining how to address this “lack.” I can either choose self-sufficiency or God-dependence through prayer.
- If my examination is Biblical, I will reach a Biblical conclusion. The intersection of God’s wisdom and my obedient response produces fruitful Christian living. My actions are always an indication and a reflection of my beliefs.
- Finally, I will daily begin implementing frequent dependence upon God through prayer. I will let my requests be made known to God, and do so as often as I wrestle with lingering needs – in other words, all day, every day.
I really believe that the mandate to be constant in prayer is realized in my life when I allow God to inform my circumstances with the truth of who He is and what He’s done. I wrestle with “needs” every day of my life. I wrestle with legitimate needs, wants disguised as needs, and even the wants and needs of those close to me. When the tension of unresolved issues in my life demands a response, I can either choose self-sufficiency or God-dependence through prayer. The latter route involves the truth of God spoken into the very epicenter, the heart of the issue at hand, and enables me to respond with godliness instead of self-serving.
I so deeply long for the kind of prayer life characterized by God-dependence and intimacy with Him, born not out of obligatory ritual but out of deep desire and dependence for and on the presence of God in my life. I’d love for you to join with me as I continually invite God into the very messiness of my needs and circumstances, allowing Him to usher in the comfort of His presence and the truth of His Word. Let us together depend on our dependable God and do so with constancy. Let’s live at the intersection of real, unpolished life and God’s unshakeable truth, and do so through prayer.
