Reflections from a Well-Worn Classic

…present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

I treasure my collection of vintage books. One of these tattered treasures holds an honored spot on my bookshelf—the thirtieth edition of Prayer by Ole Hallesby, a Norwegian theologian.

The author dedicates his writing “to souls fainting in prayer.” Since I, too, occasionally faint in prayer, I return year after year to this well-worn classic. I delight in his description of prayer: “Prayer is something deeper than words. It is present in the soul before it has been formulated into words. And it abides in the soul after the last words have passed over our lips. Prayer is an attitude of our hearts, an attitude of our mind toward God, an attitude God recognizes as prayer.”

This thought, that my heart already holds my prayer before my lips form words, challenges me to pause and reflect upon what is in my heart, what I want to bring to the Lord in prayer. Quiet reflection allows me to align my heart, my confessions, and my requests with the promises and truths of God’s Word. It also provides an opportunity to determine if I seek God’s response to my well-crafted agenda rather than His perfect will.

Father, thank You that You listen, instruct, guide, convict, and empower me when I come to You in prayer. Guide me in how to spend more time reflecting upon my deepest desires before bringing them to you. Most of all, guide me to seek that You be glorified within each of my needs. In the name of Your Son, who taught us to pray, amen.

Linda Lesniewski