Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar

“Imagine that your prayer is a poorly dressed beggar reeking of alcohol and body odor, stumbling toward the palace of the great king. You have become your prayer. As you shuffle toward the barred gate, the guards stiffen. Your smell has preceded you. You stammer out a message for the great king: ‘I want to see the king.’

Your words are barely intelligible, but you whisper one final word, ‘Jesus, I come in the name of Jesus.’ At the name of Jesus, as if by magic, the palace comes alive. The guards snap to attention, bowing low in front of you. Lights come on, and the door flies open. You are ushered into the palace and down a long hallway into the throne room of the great king, who comes running to you and wraps you in his arms.

The name of Jesus gives my prayers royal access. They get through. Jesus isn’t just the Savior of my soul. He’s also the Savior of my prayers. My prayers come before the throne of God as the prayers of Jesus. ‘Asking in Jesus’ name’ isn’t another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. Is it one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect.”

—Paul Miller, A Praying Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress 2009), 135

Published in:  on July 10, 2009 at 1:32 am Comments (6)

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6 Comments Leave a comment.

  1. I can understand the sentiment behind this, but I would suggest it is theologically unsound.

    • Steve, care to explain what your theological concern is with this quote?

  2. [...] the whole thing, and then spend some time talking to God, who deeply loves you with all your [...]

  3. I posted this same quote last night. Excellent!

  4. wow that is so nicely put
    thank you

  5. [...] Holy Is the Lord (Tomlin/Giglio) Ancient of Days (Sadler/Harvill) Prayer (using this story)  Your Name (Baloche/Packiam) Offering (using the Doxology interspersed with [...]


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