Podcast Summary: "Best of WTP – Prayer: The Discipline We All Suck At"

With The Perrys
Episode Date: July 8, 2024
Hosts: Preston Perry, Jackie Hill Perry (“The Perrys”), with Derek & Christina Perry

Overview

This episode revisits a fan-favorite conversation on prayer—its challenges, how it shapes faith, and why it remains a struggle, even for seasoned Christians. The Perrys approach the topic with transparency, humor, and tangible examples, blending personal stories and theological insights to encourage listeners that struggling in prayer is normal, but worth persevering through.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Is Prayer So Hard?

• Dependence vs. Self-Reliance:
  • Anthony: “Prayer is still a struggle. I think it’s always going to be a struggle because it's a struggle of dependence.” (00:24)
  • The challenge comes from the everyday temptation to rely on oneself and resources, instead of turning to God.
• Busyness and Distraction:
  • Christina: “It’s just the busyness of life… it’s tempting to not go to the Lord first.” (00:55)
  • Prayer often gets crowded out by tasks and responsibilities. The group acknowledges this is a universal wrestle.

2. Light Moments: Washcloths, Loofahs & Cleanliness

• The episode opens with a follow-up on their infamous "washcloths debate," which has become an inside joke with listeners.
  • Anthony: “If you don’t want to use a washcloth, that is all right. Like, you can still make it into glory. That’s not a moral indictment on you…unless you’re musty.” (02:44)
• This playful tangent sets a comfortable, humorous tone and transitions into a discussion about purity and devotion.

3. Growing in Prayer: From Obligation to Relationship

• Transformation Over Time:

  • Brandon: “Since then, I think I’ve gotten better at prayer…the Lord has allowed some things…that has made me trust and made me run to him more.” (00:09)

• Moving from Task to Trust:

  • Anthony shares how prayer shifted from feeling like a spiritual requirement to becoming an enjoyable conversation with God, as he matured and wiped off “worldly goals” attached to prayer. (05:31)
  • He discusses experiences in both charismatic and legalistic church environments, and how both shaped his understanding of prayer.

• Notable Quote:

  • Brandon: “Prayer…puts me at peace and ease when I have…talked to the Lord about my fears, my worries, my plans… I realized I’m not as anxious, I’m not as burdensome after I’ve prayed.” (04:50)

4. Comparing Our Practices: Mechanics and Seasons of Prayer

• Praying Like the Saints:

  • Anthony: “A lot of the saints I grew up with, they had a prayer closet at 5am… When I tried to chase after that, I thought I was a spiritual failure if I didn’t do it the same way.” (08:16)
  • The group reflects on inherited “spiritual routines” and the pressure to emulate them.

• Finding Your Own Rhythm:

  • Brandon: “God had to show me…your life has different seasons. Communicating [with God] looks like doing the best you can, in the most organic way you can, in that season.” (10:06)

• Intentionality Over Routine:

  • “If you love someone, you’ll find time.” (11:42)

• Memorable Story:

  • Brandon recaps getting anointed with oil as a new Christian by his aunt—highlighting how spiritual habits form from community and example. (09:05)

5. Barriers: Idolatry, Busyness, and Our Boredom Threshold

• Entertainment vs. Contemplation:
  • Anthony: “A really interesting enemy of prayer…is that we don’t like being bored… We don’t know how to sit still.” (11:46)
  • Distraction from technology and the constant need for productivity undermine silent, contemplative prayer.
• Faith to Believe God Is Listening:
  • Anthony: “It takes a measure of faith to say I’m actually talking to a being on a throne who can hear me…” (13:34)

6. Productivity vs. Prayer: Temptations and Trust

• The hosts discuss the temptation to “do” instead of “pray”—especially when anxious or under pressure.
  • Brandon: “The temptation to work when we’re afraid instead of just praying…God consistently reminds me that the answers…are at my feet, not in your doing.” (14:19)
  • Reflection on Jesus in Gethsemane as the ultimate example.
• Impatience & Waiting:
  • Anthony: “Productivity over being prayerful…underneath that is impatience…It’s in the waiting that is tough.” (15:55)

7. Prayer Shaped by Scripture

• Not Just Talking—Listening and Learning:
  • Anthony: “I know people who pray a lot and live bad. It’s because they’re praying to a God they don’t even read about.” (18:07)
  • The necessity of grounding prayer in the Bible to discern God’s answers and character.
• Framework for Prayer:
  • Brandon: “The Bible…gives us a framework for who God is. A lot of times in our prayer, we don’t really know as much about the character of God to even know how to communicate with him…” (19:40)
• Jesus’ Model:
  • Anthony: “That’s why the disciples [asked] ‘Hey, Jesus, teach us how to pray.’…We begin with who God is in relationship to us: Our Father, who art in heaven.” (20:49)

8. Legalism and Praying for Others

• How your view of people affects your prayers for them:
  • Brandon: “When I first became a Christian, I was very legalistic… When I prayed for people, it was always to correct them… My character and how I view people affected how I prayed for them…” (21:40–22:52)
  • As empathy grew, so did humility in prayer and ministry.
  • Praying For Enemies:
    • Anthony: “Praying for people is a way to cultivate love for people. Especially our enemies… when you pray good for people that have done you wrong, it forces your heart to move in a different way.” (25:07, 26:30)

9. Practical Routines & Making Prayer a Priority

• Time and Place:
  • Brandon: “I try to make it my business to pray as soon as I get up… before the distractions of the day.” (27:23)
  • Anthony: “I rarely share where I pray because it just sounds weird—in the shower. Because it’s so completely undistracted.” (28:23)
• Using Your Gifts with Prayer:
  • Anthony: “Because it comes naturally, we forget to still pray that God would help us or use us… Lean on his supernatural help.” (28:28)
• Humbling Experiences:
  • Writer’s block as spiritual humbling, leading to deeper dependence.
  • “Just because God has gifted you in something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stop seeking him in prayer.” (29:50–30:43)
• Growing Closer in the Process:
  • Brandon: “It’s not just about a book and you releasing the books to the masses. It’s about my relationship with you. I want to bring you closer.” (31:42)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Prayer and Dependency:

  • “Prayer is still a struggle… it’s a struggle of dependence.”
    – Anthony Perry (00:24)

• On Busyness:

  • “A common excuse for us not to pray is busyness. But it’s not ever busyness, it’s idolatry. Other things have taken a hold of our affections.”
    – Anthony Perry (11:46)

• On Legalism:

  • “When I first became a Christian, I was very legalistic… when I prayed for people, it was always… to correct people.”
    – Brandon Perry (21:40, paraphrased)

• On Empathy:

  • “In prayer, I think God gives us discernment when we’re humble before him and not legalistic, to know—there’s a reason why this person is this way. I want you to care for this person.”
    – Brandon Perry (24:21)

• On Praying for Enemies:

  • “When you pray good for people that have done you wrong, it forces your heart to move in a different way. And I hate it, but I feel like I gotta do it.”
    – Anthony Perry (26:30)

• On Prayer and Gifting:

  • “When you depend on the Lord… it transcends gifting.”
    – Anthony Perry (29:31)

• On Purpose of Prayer:

  • “God will use it, of course, to edify his body, but he don’t want to use you to edify people if he ain’t getting closer to you… what about me and you?”
    – Brandon Perry (31:43)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:24 – 01:13: Why is prayer a struggle?
• 02:13 – 04:11: The "washcloths" story & lighthearted start
• 05:31 – 07:07: Shifting from obligation to relationship in prayer
• 08:16 – 11:45: Mechanics of prayer routines & personal stories
• 11:46 – 13:34: Why it’s hard to sit still in prayer (boredom, distraction)
• 14:19 – 15:55: The pull between productivity and prayer
• 18:07 – 21:01: Praying to a God you don’t read about; importance of scripture
• 21:40 – 24:21: Legalism and praying for others holistically
• 25:07 – 26:30: Cultivating love when you pray for your enemies
• 27:23 – 28:23: Personal prayer routines and practical tips
• 28:28 – 31:46: Using your gifts, humility, and depending on God in prayer

Overall Tone & Language

• Authentic & Relatable: The hosts share openly about their weaknesses, challenges, and growth, using everyday language and examples.
• Humorous Yet Insightful: Frequent laughter and asides (e.g., washcloths) create warmth—while quickly transitioning to honest and profound spiritual discussion.
• Encouraging & Non-Judgmental: The hosts assure listeners that struggling with prayer is common and that God desires relationship over ritual.

Conclusion

"Prayer: The Discipline We All Suck At" disarms shame around prayer struggles and encourages listeners to embrace authentic, evolving, and scripture-shaped communion with God—however imperfect. The Perrys remind us that prayer is not about performance, but about trust, relationship, and continually returning to God in every season.

Must-listen for: Anyone discouraged in their prayer life, or wanting a fresh, honest perspective—with laughs, too.