Prayer, O. Hallesby

Author: Ole Hallesby (5 August 1879 – 22 November 1961) was a Professor in the Independent Theological Seminary at Oslo, Norway. He was an outspoken opponent of the Nazi occupation of Norway, was arrested and detained at Grini concentration camp for two years (until the end of the war). [Source: Wikipedia].

When I picked up this slim paperback from my Father’s library, I didn't realize this nondescript handbook was a treatise. Neither did I realize how old it was, until I came to a section of the book describing a treatment for tuberculosis, the modern world had long progressed beyond. It prompted me to look up the year of the book’s publication – it was 1931. The only older books I’d read that came to memory were Brother Lawrence’s 17th century book, ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’ and John Bunyan’s timeless classic published in 1678, ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’.

‘Prayer’ acknowledges that no Christian would deny the vitalness of prayer, yet we all find it so difficult to pray. The palpable beauty of the book lies in its outlining of the laws governing the prayer life, and simultaneously making the reader realize that prayer is equally remarkable in its simplicity. In Biblical language, prayer is to ‘sup’ with Jesus, conveying the design of prayer as intimate and joyous fellowship between God and man.

Because it’s difficult to adequately review this book and capture its profundity, it will be useful, I think, simply to lay down quotes from its lessons.

What Prayer Is: Prayer is a definite attitude of our hearts toward God, an attitude which He in heaven immediately recognizes as prayer, as an appeal to His heart. Whether it takes the form of words or not, does not mean anything to God, only to ourselves.

The results of prayer are, therefore, not dependent upon the powers of the one who prays. His intense will, his fervent emotions, or his clear comprehension of what he is praying for, are not the reasons why his prayers will be heard and answered.  No! God be praised, the results of prayer are not dependent upon these things!

Difficulties in Prayer: Practice and perseverance. Without practice no Christian will become a real man or woman of prayer. And practice cannot be attained without perseverance.

Prayer as Work: We are inclined to think that when we are real busy in the work of the kingdom of God, then we can without danger spend less time in prayer. It is, therefore, necessary for the Spirit of God to burn into our hearts this mystery, that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world and the plaudits of men.

Wrestling in Prayer: We are on the whole disposed to emphasize activity in prayer too much. From the time we begin and until we have finished, we are busily engaged in speaking with God. And we feel almost as though there is something wrong or something lacking in our prayer if we do not talk continuously to God.

In the quiet and holy hour of prayer, we should also be still and permit ourselves to be examined by the Physician of our souls. We should submit to scrutiny under the holy and penetrating light of God and be thoroughly examined, spiritually fluoroscoped and X-rayed, in order to ascertain just where our trouble lies.

The Misuse of Prayer: Do you pray for God's guidance in arriving at a decision in accordance with His will? But then you discover that your prayers after all, were not concerned about ascertaining the will of God, but, on the contrary, about getting God's will and blessing to coincide with your own will and purposes in the matter.

The Spirit of Prayer: You will begin to realize more and more that prayer is the most important thing you do; and that you can use your time to no better advantage than to pray whenever you have an opportunity to do so, either alone or with others, while at work, while at rest, or while walking down the street. Anywhere!

We can make use of our time in no better way.

(A free e-version of 'Prayer' is easily available online)