Educational institutions aim for the bars of academic proficiency and intellectual competence. Seminaries must struggle to distinguish themselves. In the midst of shaping biblical scholars, articulate Jesus ambassadors, and proficient ministers of grace, seminaries must foster in students an ethic of incompetent humility. In the pragmatic milieu of the science of church growth and leadership development, seminarians must model the unattractive standard of needy dependence. Prayer is a servant postured humbly before his master, a child postured gratefully in the presence of her Father.
Prayer is the posturing place where all true kingdom work is authorized.
A pointed slogan, appearing on placards hanging in the windows of 19 American cities transit systems, speaks volumes about a theology of prayer. Ultimately, one s belief about prayer determines her prayer life. In preparing to plot and navigate a course for a life of prayer one needs a working theological map of the landscape. But be reminded, the best of maps is only a representation. While we are not dealing with an enchanted forest, prayer is mysterious terrain.