"His prayer life is a challenge and rebuke to most of us.”
I recently re-read Don Carson’s biography of his "ordinary" father Tom. Two things stood out to me: his prayer life and his parenting.
In this email, we'll focus on his prayer life. I'll share a few quotes from the book and the challenges they bring to me (and hopefully you too!).
1. Consistency in prayer
Tom was a busy one-man pastor.
He was responsible for preaching in two languages (French and English) and did most of the work of a deacon himself.
Yet his son records how he made time to come before the mercy seat:
“I can remember countless days when he prayed for forty-five minutes or more; strange to tell at this juncture I cannot recall days when he didn’t.”
How easy it is to be prayerful one day, but not the next. Oh for that consistency!
2. Live in need of prayer
The Carsons lived at the very edge of poverty.
Don remembers his parents simply depending on God in prayer. When provision came, they didn’t see it as particularly miraculous. Rather, they expected God to provide:
“Despite extended illnesses in the family, which sometimes cost huge amounts of money that we didn’t have, Dad and Mum would pray, and somehow the money would come in, to the last cent. Dad and Mum made no big deal of this; they were simply quietly grateful.”
I remember a lecturer at Bible college warning that as British evangelicals we often play it so safe we never see God act in prayer. We’re never making bold moves for God and therefore we miss out on the evidence of God’s miraculous provision. This was not true of Carson.
3. Weave Prayer Throughout the Day
I'm always intrigued to see other pastors’ schedules.
In this journal entry after describing a full schedule, Tom speaks of the intent to weave prayer throughout the day:
“Prayer, the main source of strength of all, must find its necessary time in the early hours of the day, in the evening, around meal hours, without intruding on this ministry of teaching, preaching and visitation. Yet it must undergird all the ministry.”
Whether you are in ministry or not, I’m sure you can see the value of this. In a day where we fill every moment with podcasts in our earbuds, perhaps a bit of silence would make us better at drifting into prayer in the in-betweens.
4. Plead your ministry into effectiveness
Many pastors pray before they preach, but what about after? I know I'm not the only man to suffer from post-sermon discouragement.
What an example to bring this holy discontent to God:
“I found him in his study, the door not quite closed. He was on his knees in front of his big chair, tears streaming down his face, as he interceded with God for the handful of people to whom he had just preached. I remember some of their names to this day”
Some of you may not preach like Carson. But perhaps you feel this discouragement after an evangelistic conversation you failed to take advantage of. Or maybe a kids talk that seemed to shoot over the children’s head.
Let that lead you to pray for a blessing, that God may use your feeble efforts for his glory.
5. Learn to lament
Men of faith pray their sorrow.
A Christian doesn't judge God or curse God, but brings the deep anguish before the heavenly throne:
“We should recognise that Tom’s journal entries expressing deepest anguish frequently have the texture of biblical lament. Tom never stands in judgement of God; he never curses God. In his gloomiest moments Tom ends up with a cry for help.”
When we don’t know what to pray, a lament can be the best course of action. Don’t run from God in suffering, run to him groaning in prayer.
6. Pray with brother pastors
Pastor gatherings can be profitable. Discussions, sharing of wisdom... these all have their place
But nothing will have quite the impact of pouring hearts out in prayer both for one another and those we shepherd:
“There was always an extended time of prayer, not only for each other but especially for the people to whom they were ministering.”
For those who aren’t pastors, similar could be said of other leadership groups. Does your Sunday School team meet to pray for the kids? Or your small group leaders?
7. Develop a Prayer Ministry in Old Age
I always find it interesting to read about the temptations of old age. While I'm not yet there, I do have to pastor those that are.
Tom exemplifies here the desire to devote the last years of life to prayer:
“Scattered through the journals of his last two years of life are lines like these: “Keep me from the sins of old men”—some of which he details: a tendency to gravitate towards watching television, the temptation to look backward instead of forward, sliding toward self-pity, easy resentment of young men. “Develop, as a senior, a prayer ministry: God has given you the time for it.”
I regularly see older Christians very discouraged by their failing body. Unable to minister, sometimes unable to attend church. It can be disheartening to an old faithful servant. But there is a ministry older Christians are particularly gifted for: prayer.
Prayer lets us preach in pulpits we never preach in. I’m grateful for older saints in our church who have committed to regularly for me.