Centuries before the Apostle Paul lived, Solomon wrote the Proverbs. Perhaps the most insightful statements made by Solomon relative to thought and conduct processes, related to what is termed wisdom. When I began writing these Pages I chose to begin with the wisdom patterns of Solomon. The basic one was that wisdom rests on knowledge and understanding.
I was animated in reading in one of the prayers of the Apostle Paul that he was drawing upon his knowledge of the Old Testament when he prayed that the Colossians should be filled with – and there are the three old words – knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. The concepts jump ahead, almost a thousand years, from the serious musings of Solomon to the magnificent prayer of the Apostle for the Christians in Colossae. We may be sure that he would offer the same prayer in behalf of any person desiring it and showing response to the Lord, the Lord who is competent to grant human and spiritual knowledge and understanding. If those two are combined actively, the result is increasing wisdom, even for the most ordinary of persons.
People tend to pray out of the implications of their feelings. That is understandably human, but prayer can be elevated to wisdom, when it is not pressed unduly into human designs. This is illustrated in an exchange I enjoyed with my younger daughter. She informed me about a group that was praying that the leader of a nation would resign, perhaps accept exile, so to avoid a bloody war. Did I find that a useful way to pray? My response was that I would not tend to pray that way. My prayer would have its base in the plan of God, not mine. What is God’s will? Since we are informed that God is a God of peace, we rightly pray for peace. Always pray for peace, even if war is to come. I do not tell God how to give peace. He may ultimately permit it to be formed through conflict, but I know that I am to pray for peace with confidence. I do not feel comfortable telling God how to achieve peace, but I know he wants me to pray for it in that large concept. In seeking that larger meaning of God’s universe, all these other things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:31) I tend to go for the big stuff. God’s will is large. I want to address it.
Abraham discussed in prayer the matter of Sodom at great length to discover if the city might be saved from destruction. Abraham likely believed the city should be judged as a sin city. He wanted Lot to be safe, and presumed that he would be if the city was spared. Some expositors inform us that Abraham’s prayer failed because Sodom was destroyed. That is not quite the way of it. Abraham did not get exactly what he prayed for, but he did get what he wanted – the safety of Lot. Lot escaped just before the city fell. God answered Abraham’s prayer – in God’s way.
Wise prayers relate to the nature of God and his promises, not in the details of how he will carry them out. It is not for us to tell God what to do in a particular way, but to enter into his grace by praying that his will be accomplished in the advancement of the plan of God for us. That plan is partly revealed in Scripture which suggests the larger wisdom, wisdom that has God’s nature in it. Wisdom is proved in ultimate experience. Life experience approves prayer. We pray for peace and love in the world, and so we pray for these virtues in ourselves. In this we detect answers. Prayer is best when for any benefit we pray for the benefit for all. I do not ask for special privilege, for God can and does give to all as privilege. One of the great and sensitive gifts to the knowledgeable Christian is that heart’s desire, well cast, has prayer in it. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020