The Mysteries of Prayer

If prayer is talking to God, why is it even necessary? We talk to one another to inform ourselves of what we want and need to know. What do you say to a God who quite literally knows everything? What’s the point?

“Ah, yes!” the wise sage responds, “The point is that you may participate in the divine nature.”

Most of us would be scanning for the nearest conversational escape hatch were we to hear such a reply – convinced that we had met yet another pantheistic eastern mystic… until, that is, we realized that he is quoting the Bible.

“…he (God) has given us his great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature…” 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

Participation in the divine nature is the practical side of being “in Christ” (Rom. 8:1) and having “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). Because of this, we act like God would act in certain situations. We smile at what amuses Him. We are uncomfortable in places that do not meet with God’s approval. We think what God thinks.

In prayer we participate in the divine nature. We pray, not to place things upon God’s mind, but because they are on His mind. Samuel Zwemer said, “True prayer is God the Holy Spirit talking to God the Father in the name of God the Son, and the believer’s heart is the prayer room.”