Formation Prayer


“Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness” William Carey

How many believers go about their day with little or no awareness of inner spiritual growth? Why do we neglect such a great gift as prayer? The “Prayer of Formation” brings our focus back to the process of transformation. Maybe we neglect prayer so often because it will require us to change. Foster cites the common saying “Prayer changes things,” but adds that “it also changes us.” This is the point where we start to get to the heart of prayer. Are we focused daily on being open to the Lord, putting into practice his Words and obediently following the Spirit’s leading? This cycle of learning and living is what produces spiritual growth. Too many of us hold God’s Word like a seed that never falls into the ground. We collect seeds and pat ourselves on the back for it. God never intended this. Foster says “None of us will keep up a life of prayer unless we are prepared to change. We will either give it up or turn it into a little system that maintains the form of godliness but denies the power of it-which is the same thing as giving up.” God is gracious and long suffering. He is always there willing to meet us in the quiet place of prayer, but as some point we need to cut the rope tying us to the dock and launch out with him into the deep.

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