The Praying of Christ - Glenn Conjurske
The Praying of Christ
Introduction: The Rise of Hyperspirituality
I have remarked before in these pages that it is in the field of faith that hyperspirituality usually has its heyday, and this is true especially concerning its doctrines of prayer. My doctrine of wrestling with God is certain to be slighted or disallowed by the hyperspirituality which slights human endeavor in general. Wrestling with God, it will be said, if legitimate at all, is for those who have but little faith. Those who have entered “the rest of faith” have risen above such things.
Hyperspirituality in the China Inland Mission
Such hyperspirituality was very common in the China Inland Mission, being imbibed from its founder, J. Hudson Taylor. It is no surprise, therefore, to read the following from the pen of J. O. Fraser: “When we once have the deep, calm assurance of His will in the matter, we put in our claim, just as a child before his father. A simple request and nothing more. No cringing, no beseeching, no tears, no wrestling. No second asking either.” And again in the same letter, “In this conflict-prayer, after the definite exercise of faith, there is no need to ask the same thing again and again. It seems to me inconsistent to do so.” And of one of his own petitions, “I have never repeated the request and never will: there is no need.”* This is called resting, the favorite activity of certain privileged folks who have entered “the deeper life.”
The Biblical Contrast: The Praying of Christ
But the plain fact is, so far as prayer is concerned, these doctrines stand in direct contradiction to the Bible, and notably to the praying of the Lord Jesus Christ. “No beseeching,” says Fraser, and “no tears.” But of Christ we are told that he “offered up prayers and supplications with STRONG CRYING and TEARS.” (Heb. 5:7). And it was God who said to Hezekiah, “I have heard thy prayer, I have SEEN THY TEARS: behold, I will heal thee.” (II Kings 20:5).
Repeated Asking in Prayer
“No second asking,” says Fraser, but of Christ we are told, “And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, SAYING THE SAME WORDS.” (Matt. 26:44). What then? Had he failed to “exercise definite faith” the first two times?
The Danger of Hyperspiritual Pride
We fear there is a great deal of subtle pride in these hyperspiritual doctrines. If they are not the offspring of pride, they are pretty certain to beget it. For our part, we may have to rest content that these folks who have found “the rest of faith” should surpass us in spirituality, but it is something of a trial to find them more spiritual than Christ.