Prayer with a purpose
Prayer seems to be a universal instinctive human response, particularly to overwhelming situations. Yet it is sometimes difficult to explain exactly what prayer is - or should be. ACTS - adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication - was one guide to Christian praying I was given many years ago. Yet the cryptic command in this verse of Peter's, suggests something more surprising and far-reaching about Christian prayer. Certainly more than is assumed by the 'yes', 'no' or 'wait' formula.
First of all, being clear minded and self-controlled may not be the first attributes of prayer that come to mind. We talk rather of the emotional intensity of adoration and worship; the longings and outpourings of love and gratitude; the humbling grief of repentance; the abandon of tongues; the desperate pleas for healing. What is the significance, then, of a clear mind and self-control?
Secondly, why is 'the end of all things' the reason for clear minded and self-controlled prayer? Certainly the nearness of the second coming and the judgement should drive us to pray for our world, but is there more to it?
'The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,' says James. And he goes on to describe how Elijah prayed and it stopped raining, then prayed again and it rained. James sees Elijah not just as God's prophet telling Ahab about God's revealed plan to stop the rain. He sees Elijah's prayer as the instrument by which the drought actually happens. It is similar to the way Abraham bargained with God in prayer over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, so that God took what Abraham said into account in his purposes.
So we are called by Peter and James to be effective co-workers with God by praying, because amazingly he chooses to use our prayers to bring about his purposes, not just in our own lives, but in the wider world. We really are making things happen, especially if we work at being informed, self-controlled, powerful and effective people of prayer.
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