Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus' Name

by Bryan Chapell

Feelings Praying in accord with God’s will should never depend on subjective feelings alone.

The more we immerse ourselves in his Word, the more we are able to walk life’s path with Christ at our side, informing our thoughts.

Through prayer the Holy Spirit orders and generates thoughts in our minds so that we can weigh our circumstances in accord with the priorities of the Word he inspired (1 Cor. 2:4–16; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

Prayer that draws us into quiet communion with God apart from the world enables us to perceive the world with greater clarity.

But what if we still do not know God’s will? We do not need to panic. Remember the position from which we pray. By praying in Jesus’ name, we petition God for blessing not on the basis of our discernment but on the basis of Christ’s work on our behalf.

As we pray within the boundaries of righteousness and prudence, the God who promises to be our Good Shepherd will direct our paths. If our prayer is a misstep, he will correct it. If our vision is too limited, he will guide us precisely where we should go, because darkness is as light to him (Ps. 139:12). When we pray for the righteous and prudent according to the light of his Word, we can trust God to direct our course (Prov. 3:5–6). Those who so pray in Jesus’ name are in his will (and care) on whatever road they take.

When we pray according to the righteous and prudent priorities of God’s Word, we automatically pray according to God’s will. If we need additional insight to pray according to God’s will, he may provide it by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Still, even if we do not have full insight into the future will of God, we can have full assurance of his faithful care whenever we pray in Jesus’ name.

The Holy Spirit who indwells us speaks to the Father through the Son with whom we are united, so that God speaks to himself by the thoughts of the believer. These thoughts are ordered by the Spirit. He impresses on our mind principles of Scripture, whispers of the conscience, and impressions from life’s experience. These all combine to make our thoughts flow in the furrows that God intends. These furrows are not merely godly patterns of thought but also the soil that God uses to nurture and order the accomplishment of his will. God expresses his power through our prayers!

We could avoid much disappointment by recognizing that the supernatural process of prayer has no easy analogy in our natural experience.

By our prayers not only does God physically change the material universe for us, he changes us so that we can perceive the world and eternity as they really are. Everything becomes new through our prayer.

Though his image in us has been marred by our sin nature, God is constantly transforming us into the likeness of Christ by the Spirit.

The certainty that this God listens—really listens—provides comfort, strength, and hope even when God seems silent.

The Bible identifies the following specific causes of weakened prayer: Personal disobedience. “If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable” (Prov. 28:9). Unconfessed sin. “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Ps. 66:18). Unforgiving attitudes. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25). Uncaring actions. “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered” (Prov. 21:13). Selfishness. “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3). Self-promotion. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matt. 6:5–6). Family discord. “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers” (1 Peter 3:7). Failure to pray. “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). Doubt. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask...

our benefit. We constantly need reminders that our best works are filthy rags before God (Isa. 64:6). Our finest eloquence is stammering ignorance before his mind, and our longest recitations barely register in his infinity. God hears our prayers because of his mercy, not because of our mastery of them or of him. He listens to the words that are sincere and seek to honor him, not because our prayers bribe him but because he loves to honor those who depend on him.

Since God responds to those who seek his ways, we participate in the advancement of God’s kingdom when our prayers honor him. Humility and devotion characterize such prayers.

The Bible gives us prayer examples to help us develop helpful habits, but refining the attitude of the heart is Scripture’s goal. What begins as a mechanical pattern of prayer becomes a habit and then a natural part of our lives. And in this reflexive state of prayer—where prayer is as instinctive as breathing—our habits are not rules or rituals intended to satisfy the demands of God but rather the familiar doorways to a constant and spontaneous outpouring of the heart. These doors lead to devotional lives of unceasing prayer—constrained not by any legal compulsion but by love for the God who is always listening (1 Thess. 5:16–18).

We study the prayers of faithful men and women through the ages to help mature our prayers.[3] Since we want to pray with the mind of Christ, it’s also helpful to pray using the words of Scripture inspired by his Spirit.[4] We can read a passage slowly and pray about the concerns or praises the text brings to mind. We can also orient our prayers to God’s priorities by inserting our names and concerns in the promises of Scripture.

Christians pray more spontaneously when our regular habits make prayer natural rather than unusual.

Regular patterns of family prayer help children grow up naturally praying to God—and automatically expecting him to listen.

Such prayer is actually putting first the purposes of the One whose glory and delight it is to give us the best of earth and heaven forever. By praying backwards, we always move forward with the assurance God will use whatever life brings for the Savior’s glory and our good. He can do no less than provide his best for those who offer prayer in Jesus’ name. Such prayer is our great privilege, power, and peace.

Jesus’ name is the beginning and end of our prayer because his glory is the beginning and end of all things—and all these things are being worked together for our good.