The Difference between Prayer and Magic

Recently two very different things happened around the same time.

1)  I finished a fascinating fantasy book full of magic and complex characters.
2)  I learned that Craig McConnell, a key member of Ransomed Heart Ministries and someone whose voice I know from podcasts, was unexpectedly dying after a long battle (which he thought he had won) with cancer.

As I was praying that day, I couldn't help contrast the difference between words of a fantastical spell and words of a prayer.

In most fantasy worlds I have visited, the hero is the special one.  And they gain victory by growing stronger or faster, or smarter than their opponent.  They have the power.   And they can control that power for good (in the books I read) or perhaps even for ill.

But in our world, such magic does not exist.  We might like to pretend it does.  (Because really, how cool would it be if I could say a word and make a flower grow.) But it does not.

There is however; power in our world.  Power that makes the flowers grow, that brought people out of dust, and that can intercede even when science says it cannot.

All good things flow from their Creator.

And we learn through His Word that there is also power in prayer.  That we can partner with Him to fight for good and beautiful things.

BUT, this is also where we must be careful.  A strong prayer with beautiful, powerful words, is not magic.

The difference between prayer and magic is this: in our world it is God who is the strong, special, powerful One.   Not us.  And whatever power comes through our earnest prayers, is placed beneath His will.  If our request will bring Him glory, will be for His ultimate good, then let it be so. But if not, we must learn to submit, and do to so without despair.

If prayer was more like magic, I think Craig would be healed, ready to live many more years with his family.  The Ransomed Heart team has a book on effective prayer that I love, and (as best as I can tell) they are strong warriors of faith.

But in the end they submit to the will of God, just as we must. While still believing that He is good. Remembering that our story may not always be clear in this life, but that it does not end with this life.

There is a phrase in second Peter 1 that I love:  "You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

The world is not always as it may seem.   There is great power here.  We do not always understand the battle we face.   But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Morning Star, we will never be left in darkness.