Can Prayers Be Wasted or Sinful? Greg Darley Talks About this Provocative Issue in this Exclusive Interview

Greg Darley, leader of International Justice Mission's College Mobilization team, has just released his brand new book "Wasted Prayer" on July 8th via Thomas Nelson. Its message, while seemingly provocative, directs Christians to the heart and true purpose of prayer.  In the book, Darley argues that the Bible makes it clear, stretching from Abraham to John the Baptist and Peter, that there are times when prayer can actually be sinful. James says that faith without works is dead, and the great heroes of Christianity understood that God had given them clear commands demanding clear action.

Darley explains that the truth is, sometimes when you think you're praying, you're really just procrastinating. And when you think you're asking that God's will be done, you're really telling him no. In times that call for action, prayer can be disobedience in disguise. Wasted Prayer uncovers the ways we use prayer to dodge responsibility for the work God has assigned us.

We are thrilled to be able to catch up with Greg in order to talk with him about this provocative topic.  

Hallels:  Thank you Greg so much for your time. "Wasted Prayer" is a provocative title for a book.  It really got me thinking when I first saw the title, can prayer ever be wasted?  What do you mean by the title?

 A wasted prayer is when we pray about whether or not we should do something God has called us to do. If God has called us to act, that's what he wants us to do. 

Hallels:  For the sake of our readers who may not have read the book, what is the book about?  

Wasted Prayer is an attempt to help us get to the place where we will respond like Abraham when God calls us to do something for him. Not everyone will receive the call to pack up everything you own and move without a clear destination. But all of us will be called to  do something that scares us or something that we could easily justify only praying about. It could be something simple like inviting a neighbor over for dinner or emotionally difficult like calling an estranged family member you haven't talked to in years. Though some will be difficult and others simple, when God calls you do something, he has a plan and a purpose and he is looking for your obedience. 

Hallels:  Can prayer ever be sinful or wrong?  Can you give us some examples of wasted prayers?

Joshua 7 is a great example of a wasted prayer. Through a series of events, the Israelites find themselves losing a battle they should have certainly won. When they lost, Joshua turned to prayer and God's response was quite telling. "What are you doing not he ground?" is how God responds. In other words, why are you praying? It's a fascinating story that I go into more detail in the book.  

Hallels:  In the book you also talked about how prayer can be a prison, what do you mean by that?

Many times we can get stuck in a cycle of prayer instead of moving forward in obedience. It's safer to pray than to act, so we just keep praying. If we continue this pace, we'll wind up praying without acting. When we pray about whether we should act when God's called us to, we're back to praying wasted prayers. 
 
Hallels:  So practically, if I am making a new decision for my life, how can I seek the Lord's will, be guided by His Spirit, and not be sidetracked by "wasted" prayer?
 
I think most people who are genuinely seeking God's will for their lives, who are reading His Word, engaging in discipleship and living in community will know when they are praying wasted prayers. It doesn't always mean they will be obedient, but they will know. The Holy Spirit prompts us and guides us towards truth. But I do think it takes all those elements of Scripture, community and discipleship to guard from praying wasted prayers. 

Hallels: Has your role with International Justice Mission helped you in your understanding of prayer?
 
We spend a lot of time in prayer as an organization, which I am so grateful for and love! When you are going into the dark places like slavery and violence against children, you constantly need God's help. It has been incredible to see so many prayers get answered in the places where IJM works. I've learned we are more likely to experience a miracle if we pray for one. But I've also learned that we must be willing to act. We do have a role to play in what God is doing on the earth. We have a role to play in building his kingdom. We definitely have a role to play in seeking justice. 

Hallels:  What then do you want readers to take home with them after reading this book?
Extra copies to give to their friends and family :)

I hope people will take action where God has called them to. It could be restoring a broken relationship, volunteering at a non-profit, or simply inviting a neighbor over for a BBQ. Whatever it is that God is calling people to do, it's for a reason. He is wanting to use all of us to advance his work. The sooner we say yes, the sooner we can see the change so many of us desire to see.

Tags : greg darley greg darley interview wasted prayers book wasted prayer wasted prayer interview greg darley wasted prayer interview