The Prayer Thread is a collection of teachings and practical prompts to help as we learn to pray in community. This text was originally delivered on March 9, 2022 as a short teaching at our online weekly prayer sit.
For centuries, Christian theologians have debated whether salvation is attained through works or grace. As is the case with most pairs of opposites, the best response is usually somewhere in the middle: in this case, both grace and works. Pairs of contrasting opposites, over time, invite us to see a third-thing, an alternative force that emerges in order to reconcile the dueling sides of the duality.
In the case of the theological debate over works and grace, we might consider “prayer as surrender” as the reconciling force. At the heart of the debate, as well as in much of the struggle of our prayer, is the question of effort. Is prayer my effort? Is it God’s effort? Is it somewhere in between, as God’s efforts-in-me?
Ultimately, the answer is yes—to all three propositions. In order for prayer to work, I have to offer my efforts to show up. And, as soon as I show up, I am also called to let go.
How often do we show up to prayer with a mindset of doing it right or perfecting the technique!? When we obsess with our own actions, we get stuck on one side of the duality: ourselves! We must also recognize and remember God’s efforts in our prayer.
The best word I can use to describe this posture in prayer is rest. And, paradoxically, it takes a lot of effort to learn to rest, to learn to become still, to let go of expectations and presuppositions, to simply allow God’s work in me, to surrender. To allow for both my efforts and God’s efforts is to give in to a third force, to the power of surrender.
