Source/Author: Dr Michael P. Dalseno

Ultimately, we face the challenge of either shaping the future through prayer or one day it shaping us. Already, today is the tomorrow we prayed about (or neglected to) yesterday.

PRAY TODAY, SHAPE TOMORROW

By Dr  D

The world of tomorrow is significantly shaped by the prayers of today. As Valery (1871 – 1945) put it, “the trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be.” His statement captures the essence of just how daunting, uncertain, insecure and fleeting the future is. Christians need to pray, and in light of our times, maybe more than ever. The sad reality, however, is that few of us really do pray.

The future does not have to be some runaway locomotive out of control, off the tracks, and heading for the abyss. You and I can help SHAPE its destiny if we choose to PRAY about it. According to Martin Luther, the 16^th Century reformer, “As a shoemaker makes a shoe, or a tailor makes a coat, so ought a Christian to pray.” He warned against postponing prayer for “more and urgent business,” and said our defense against the devil is useless without it. The cause of a lack of prayer? According to Luther, “a cold and inattentive heart.”

That prayer shapes the future is witnessed in the Bible itself. Take Jesus, for instance, who was born in the lineage of David (Matt.1, Lk.3). This was partly a fulfillment of a much earlier prayer of David, who prayed for an enduring house for his descendants (2Sam.7.29). Yet David, his priestly ministry, and his kingship was itself the result of prayer. It was Samuel who earlier prayed for him and anointed him with oil (1Sam.16.12-13). Amazingly, the prayer legacy goes back even further; to a relatively humble, insignificant lady who one day came in fervent prayer before the Lord. Her name was Hannah. She prayed for a son, and promised to dedicate him (Samuel) to the Lord. In short, each of these three characters, Hannah, Samuel and David, helped shape the future through their fervent and heartfelt prayers. And now we have Jesus who makes intercession for us (Heb.7.25). All could trace their life and ministry to the earlier prayers of somebody.

What kind of a future are we shaping (or not shaping) through prayer? What other priorities and interests have we substituted in its place? Do we rationalize it away with excuses, or believe other things, people and institutions will save the day? Ultimately, we face the challenge of either shaping the future through prayer or one day it shaping us. Already, today is the tomorrow we prayed about (or neglected to) yesterday.