"The Unintended Consequences of Prayer" by Vander Warner, Jr.

Hannah More was a woman of wealth, fame and influence in the arts of 18^th century England. She came to faith and became a woman devout in the faith. Her writings still are examined by many scholars and serious seekers after God. From a tiny book published in 1854 (incidentally the 25^th London edition) titled: The Book of Private Devotions, chiefly from the writings of Hannah More – I have taken a paragraph.

Many mornings I read a page or two, letting the truth and beauty of the expression wash over my mind. Often I come away haunted by the depth of the truths and intimacy of her relationship with the Father, as well as her commitment to what Wesley called the “means of grace.” By that we understand him to mean the “means” by which grace is mediated to us. Prayer is one of those “means”.

Here is Hannah More’s paragraph from page 13:

“Prayer draws all the Christian graces into its focus. It draws Charity, followed by her lovely train – her compassion for want [need]. It draws Repentance, with her holy sorrows, her pious resolutions, her self-distrust. It attracts Faith, with elevated eye – Hope, with her grasped anchor – Beneficence, with her open hand – Zeal, looking far and wide to serve – Humility, with introverted eye looking at home. Prayer, by quickening these graces in the heart, warms them into life, fits them for service, and dismisses each to its appropriate practice. Cordial prayer is mental virtue; Christian virtue is spiritual action. The mould into which genuine prayer casts the soul is not effaced by the suspension of the act, [of prayer], but retains some touches of the impression til the act is repeated.” [What an extraordinary paragraph. The ancient expressions require thought. Take it in slowly.]

What a wonder-filled list: Charity, Repentance, Faith, Hope, Beneficence, Zeal, Humility! In Hannah’s mind all linked to and flowing from daily prayer.

I have often thought of experiencing these graces in prayer as the unintended consequences of prayer. I say that because until I learned this truth from Mrs. More it never occurred to me that one or all of these might be happening in my spirit. My intention in prayer was to offer praise to my Father, or to humbly present a need or lay out my day before Him and often to intercede for family or friends. I wanted to see consequences in these areas that only His presence and intervention could provide. Now I know there is the potential to set in motion “graces” that open me up to what heaven holds out to me.

So now that I am aware that prayer can trigger holy impulses within me that eventuate in further spiritual blessing, growth, and holiness; and best of all, the growing intimacy with my Father that flows from these means – this unintended consequence becomes the best consequence of all.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the grace of God!