Alterations

   "It is not so true that "prayer changes things" as that prayer changes me and I change things. God has so constituted things that prayer on the basis of Redemption alters the way in which a man looks at things. Prayer is not a question of altering things externally, but of working wonders in a man's disposition." (Oswald Chambers)

   Most every time, when I read one of these snippets from the writings of Oswald Chambers, and that reading is on prayer, I have to stop and consider my attitude towards prayer in general.

   I confess that I do not often sit down and participate in, what I would call, fervent prayer. Sure, I pray. I pray for people in their situations, I pray for family members in decisions they are faced with, I pray for myself, the church, and my life in general.

   But, most of all, I pray prayers of gratitude for blessings. I recognize where all comes from, both materially and spiritually, and I am truly grateful. Those kinds of prayers are easy and they do not call for hearing anything from God. They are pretty much one-way prayers.

   When I pray for others, it is more an admission that I am showing concern for them and their situations. I am placing them before God and asking Him to bless them in some way, by working in that particular instance. I am not really looking for Him to speak to me about that, I am just letting Him take care of the situation in His way, and knowing that His way is best.

   Am I looking to hear from God about anything? Am I expecting Him to change me in any way because of my gratitude or my concern?

   Chambers says that prayer does not alter things, it alters the person praying. Do my prayers actually alter me and my thoughts and actions?

   Prayers of gratitude and concern are both good, but I need to do more that just come to God's throne with these, and leave them there. I need to actually hear from God and His response to these, and then live my life in accordance to what He reveals.

   Truly, it is me that needs the alteration.