LETTER 2 – An Apprentice to Jesus Is a Praying
Person
Dear Redeemer Family,
The year was 1977. I had just graduated from seminary. My
theology professor, Dr. Tom Finger, asked to meet with me. Dr. Finger said,
“What theology class do you think our seminary needs?” I thought for a moment.
Then answered, “Prayer. We need a class on prayer.”
“Would you teach this class on prayer?”
“No. I need a class like this, and am in no position
to teach it.”
How many of you know that a teacher, especially a beginning
teacher, often learns more than their students? God was speaking to me through
Dr. Finger. He persisted. I acquiesced.
In the fall of 1977 I taught a class on prayer at Northern
Baptist Theological Seminary. My main requirement was: to pray. I thought this
was a stroke of genius! In my prayer class I, the teacher, acquired a praying life that has
lasted to this day. I became a student of Christ in the School of Prayer.
What is praying? Praying is talking with God about what
God and I are thinking and doing together.
Praying is communicating with God about The
Mission. In praying I meet with my Commander and receive my marching
orders. This is what Jesus was doing in Luke 5:16: Jesus often withdrew to
lonely places and prayed.
Jesus prayed. Therefore I, as His apprentice, pray. I pray
at what I call “places of least distraction.”
I take with me a Bible, my spiritual journal, and usually a
devotional book (some book I am reading for spiritual direction). During my
praying time, when God speaks to me, I write it down in my journal.
In praying I experience comfort, healing, deliverance, and
rescue. I receive encouragement. I am told that I am loved. I get corrected and
directed, which calls for obedience. I find out what God wants from me and what
he wants me to do.
Praying, to me, makes following Jesus more exciting and
more real. God really does expect me to follow him!
I have found that I can be myself, and use my own words and
ways of talking, when I pray. I don’t have to learn a special language. God is
not impressed by my words, but by the attitude of my heart.
I bless you all with a deep, conversational relationship
with the Lord Jesus!
DECLARATIONS
I am a
praying person.
I pray
because Jesus, the Lord of my life, prayed.
When I pray,
I pray from the heart.
Praying is exciting to me,
because I am communicating with the Maker of Heaven and Earth!
I am gaining control of my schedule.
Therefore, I am finding more time to pray.
I am a prayer warrior,
defeating satanic strongholds, and bringing in the Kingdom of God!
Love,
PJ
(My experiences in The School of Prayer are recorded in my
book Praying: Reflections on 40 Years of Solitary Conversations with God.)
