I grew up in a Christian tradition that was strong on personally knowing God’s will for our lives. This was encouraged by Biblical heroes such as Abraham. An example of what it means to live by faith. Yet the Biblical episodes recorded of his life emphasise only a handful of times when God gave him clear instructions or revealed His purposes.  

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

Genesis‬ ‭12‬ verse 1‬ ‭ (NIVUK‬‬)

In Abraham’s long life of 175 years I am sure there were also many periods of silence. Abraham just got on with the business of living. No doubt fortified by the promises God had given. Nonetheless he was left to make his own decisions. As a leader he had much to do in directing his large, extended family and servants. He also had to navigate relationships with his tribal neighbours. 

Praying makes me aware that my responsibility is as a co-worker with God. This truth affects the kinds of prayers made. My requests should not expect God to do things I can readily do. I think of another Biblical hero, Nehemiah. He was faced with hostility as he and his fellow builders sought to rebuild Jerusalem’s broken walls.

“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” 

Nehemiah‬ ‭4‬ verse 9‬ ‭(NIVUK‬‬)

The word ’and’ in the above text is helpful. Prayer is very rarely the be all and end all of a matter. I believe part of being human and made in God’s image is that He gifts us personal initiative. The potential and the desire to create something that was not there before. Both our life and the actions we take are unique. What comes into being through our agency has not come before or will come again in the future. I am a co-worker, not a slave. I am part of God’s family, his child. As such I have responsibilities to own. 

Therefore my prayers should not always be expectant of God doing this or that. They ought to be more ‘help me as I do this or that’. ‘Be with me as I decide and take this course of action’. I think often God is silent because he is patiently waiting for me to do something, in faith. God wants me to share my life with Him. Not to ask Him to micro manage. He will not take away the dignity, autonomy and agency he has delighted to give me. This is true freedom with responsibility. The beauty, the fear and the glory of who I am. The theologian and philosopher Dallas Willard says it better…

”There are reasons other than [God’s] displeasure why a specific word may not be forthcoming to us in a particular case. One of the major other reasons is that in general, it is God’s will that we ourselves should have a great part in determining our path through life. This does not mean that he is not with us. Far from it. God both develops and, for our good, tests our character by leaving us to decide. He calls us to responsible citizenship in his kingdom by saying — in effect or in reality — as often as possible, ‘My will for you in this case is that you decide on your own.’” 

“Hearing God” by Dallas Willard (p. 203-204)

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