Knowing God is more than knowing things about him. Though proper doctrine is necessary in knowing God, it also involves a reliance upon him for all things and ascribes to him the worth he is due. Prayer is one of the most significant indicators that this is the state of our hearts. Worshipful theology is not only about proper words, rituals, and bodily postures. We can do all the appropriate actions with a cold soul.

As you watch theological interactions online, and even in some churches, have you ever wondered how many strong assertions come from prayerless theologians? I do not raise this question to belittle solid reasoning, forceful arguments, and correct theology. All are essential to spiritual health and defending the faith, but they are not enough. Prayerless theologians are erring in multiple ways. Here are three.

First, prayerless theologians lack humility. They do not call on the God they claim to know because they do not think they need him. They may declare the opposite with their words, but their life does not reflect that reality. If they realized their need, they would call on him regularly. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “If you do not know what you should pray for, may the Lord show you your misery, that you may cry to Him out of the depths of your soul.” What Spurgeon was getting at is if you don’t know what to pray about, it does not mean you lack the need. It means you are blind to it. This blindness is a manifestation of pride.

Read More