These were the words with which Donald Grey Barnhouse greeted his congregation on one occasion. No doubt he had their attention! His purpose was to remind them that their zeal for prayer must leave room for the sovereignty of God.I remember, as a young Christian, being encouraged reading C.S. Lewis's essay, "Petitionary Prayer: A Problem without An Answer" (in Christian Reflections). In it he admits to being confused by the two charges of scripture: to pray in faith, believing... and to pray with Jesus, "Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." Lewis concludes with a question: "How am I to pray this very night?"
Over the years I have become less troubled and more comforted by this question. I know that as I pray in faith, believing, I can trust God as the Arbiter of my petition. Sometimes we know we are praying the will of God, and those times we are uncertain belong to Him.
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