Enjoying God and prayer

It goes without saying, I suppose, that people who enjoy God enjoy prayer. How could you enjoy someone and not enjoy talking to them? J.I. Packer comments, “Men who know their God are before anything else men who pray, and the first point where their zeal and energy for God’s glory come to expression is in their prayers.”⁹

Many Christians don’t enjoy prayer.

It should be equally obvious that many Christians don’t enjoy prayer. It is a telltale sign that they don’t really enjoy God. We don’t have to discipline ourselves to eat ice cream or watch sunsets. If we enjoy God we will discipline ourselves to get off our knees and get to the work.

That is the joy that Peter felt on the mount of transfiguration. ( Matthew 17:4) Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Peter so enjoyed this experience he wanted to stay, but Jesus disciplined the group to go back into the harvest. People who enjoy God discipline themselves to get off their knees.

Jesus taught that one purpose of prayer is to enhance our joy in God:

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (John 16:24)

Of course, naked discipline is sometimes needed to establish a relationship of joy, but it is not the goal.

Of course, naked discipline is sometimes needed to establish a relationship of joy, but it is not the goal. Discipline is like the temporary diagonally-placed 2X4s they use in constructing a house. They are there to hold the house together while it is under construction. When the house gets nearer completion, these boards are no longer necessary, in fact, they get in the way. Once the house has enough strength on its own, they are removed.

So it is with discipline. We need discipline in prayer to get us in the habit of spending time with God in his Word and in prayer. But for people who enjoy God it is far more than a discipline; it is a delight.