chapter 17 (sorry for the delay)
"...the Father-heart holds itself open and free to listen to every prayer that rises through the Son, and that God does indeed allow Himself to be decided by prayer to do what He otherwise would not have done."
"God HImself is the Living Love, who in His Son as man has entered into the tenderest relation with all that is human, who through the Holy Spirit takes up all that is human into the Divine life of love, and keeps Himself free to give every human prayer its place in His government of the world."
Wow - this chapter, even though it was pretty heavy with some theological thoughts and concepts, the essence of the chapter is that PRAYER MATTERS. It is not a ritual that we do in order to clear our religious consciences; it is not a simply an exercise that disciplines our flesh without influences the Father. It is something that God has created to have power and generate power. As the great theologian, spiderman's uncle taught us, with great power comes great responsibility. Thus, we have the responsibility to know and pray God's heart in order to see His power impact the world.
Good stuff. Spiderman's uncle was a wise man...as was (or is - not sure if he's supposed to be dead or really old) Murray.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one.
ReplyDelete"Just as on earth, so in heaven the whole relation between Father and Son is that of giving and taking....The asking of the Son was no mere show or shadow, but one of those life-movements in which the love of the Father and the Son met and completed each other."
Prayer as a process of perfecting the love between Father and Child.
It's such a beautiful relationship....I just feel so loved and lucky.
I understood your explanation of this chapter better than I understood the chapter :) But I did have the same highlight quote as you. It is interesting to think prayer from man, through the Son, has an effect on God.
ReplyDelete