“Talking to God As a Friend” — another look at the
meaning and purpose of prayer — in the larger setting of the great controversy over
the character and government of God.
If, as Jesus said, our Heavenly Father knows what our needs are even before we ask Him,
what is the purpose of taking time to pray at all? This assumes, of course, that the
primary purpose of prayer is to lodge our requests with God. But some prefer to understand
prayer as conversation with God as with a Friend. Remember how Abraham and Moses talked to
God, and God called them His friends. Remember how boldly but reverently Job agonized with
God — to the consternation of Job's friends — and God was honored with his
confidence. Truly the way we pray reveals the kind of Person we believe our God to be.
If the Father were to appear visibly among us, how would we address Him? What language
would we use? Would we be too afraid to speak? Would we feel constrained to mention only
the most lofty themes, or would we be free to talk candidly about what He already knows is
in our hearts? Would it be easier to discuss such matters with the Son? Would it be more
appropriate to speak or listen? How does one listen to the voice of God? And at the end of
such a special meeting, would we feel that we ought to close the conversation with a
"word of prayer"? Or would it be correct to realize that in talking to God as a
Friend we have been praying all along?
Some day when we really see Him face to face, will that be the end of prayer? Is prayer
yet another of God's emergency measures to keep open the lines of communication with His
children until there is no need to talk together anymore? What do we mean when we sing,
"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer"?
Bible passages included:
Matthew 6:9-15. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites;
they love to say their prayers...for everyone to see them... But when you pray, go into a
room by yourself, shut the door, and pray to your Father who is there in the secret
place... In your prayers do not go babbling on like the heathen, who imagine that the more
they say the more likely they are to be heard... Your Father knows what your needs are
before you ask him. This is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, thy name be
hallowed; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our
daily bread. Forgive us the wrong we have done, as we have forgiven those who have wronged
us. And do not bring us to the test, but save us from the evil one."' (NEB)
Matthew 14:23. "He went up into the hills by himself to
pray." (RSV)
Luke 6:12. "All night he continued in prayer to God." (RSV)
John 15:15. "I have called you friends." (RSV)
John 14:7, 9. "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as
well... Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (NIV)
John 16:26. "I do not promise to intercede with the Father for
you, for the Father loves you himself." (Goodspeed)
1 John 4:18. "There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out
all fear...fear has to do with punishment." (GNB)
Job 29:2-4, 30:20. "If only my life could once again be as it was
when God watched over me. God was always with me then...and the friendship of God
protected my home... I call to you, O God, but you never answer; and when I pray, you pay
no attention." (GNB)
Job 42:7. "You did not speak the truth about me the way my
servant Job did." (GNB)
1 Corinthians 10:13. "God can be depended on not to let you be
tried beyond your strength." (Goodspeed)
Romans 8:28. "We know that in all things God works for good with
those who love him." (GNB)
Genesis 18:23, 25. "Then Abraham drew near, and said,'Wilt thou
indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked?... Far be that from thee! Shall not the
Judge of all the earth do right?" (RSV)
James 2:23. "Abraham was called God's friend." (GNB)
Numbers 14:11-13, 16. "And the Lord said to Moses,...'I will
strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation
greater and mightier than they.' But Moses said to the Lord, 'Then the Egyptians will hear
of it... Then the nations who have heard thy fame will say, "Because the Lord was not
able to bring this people into the land which he swore to give to them, therefore he has
slain them in the wilderness."'" (RSV)
Exodus 33: 11. "The Lord would speak with Moses face-to-face,
just as a man speaks with a friend." (GNB)
Acts 10:13,14. "There came a voice to him, 'Rise, Peter; kill and
eat.' But Peter said, 'No, Lord.'" (RSV)
Psalm 77:7-10. "Will the Lord spurn for ever, and never again be
favorable? Has his steadfast love for ever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all
time? Has God forgotten to be gracious?... And I say, 'It is my grief that the right hand
of the Most High has changed.'" (RSV)
Psalm 139:19, 21-24. "O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O
God,... Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord? And do I not loathe them that rise up
against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God,
and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!" (RSV)
Romans 8:26. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for
we do not know how to pray as we ought." (RSV)
1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Never stop praying." (Norlie)
©1984 Graham Maxwell
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