Helplessness. 

Who would have thought that helplessness would be a key attitude for effective prayer?  In his classic writing entitled “Prayer” O. Hallesby states that helplessness “is unquestionably the first and the surest indication of a praying heart…It is the last resort of the helpless.  Indeed, the very last way out.  We try everything before we finally resort to prayer.”

“Ouch!”  He must have been watching my prayer life over the years!  It seems that my prayers become a lot more earnest when I am at the end of my rope and there is nothing else to cling to.  That’s when I am most earnest in prayer—when I am helpless.   

As long as I can control the situation, finances, relationships, as long as I feel in control, then I may just forget to pray.  But let things get a little out of control and I am on my knees seeking a bail out from God.

When I recognize that I am always helpless and admit it upfront, then God can take control of my life and my time spent with Him is far more dynamic.  Like an infant’s communication to his or her parent, our helplessness can be a continuous appeal to God’s parental heart. 

I Imagine myself as a toddler stumbling over to my daddy.  I lift my arms and say, “Up!”  In all my helplessness, my father responds by lifting me high and cradles me in his arms.  God seeks to do the same in our helplessness.  Hallesby further states, “To pray is to open the door unto Jesus and admit Him into your distress.  Your helplessness is the very thing which opens wide the door unto Him and gives Him access to all your needs.”