Prayer as an Encounter with God

When they saw Peter and John’s courage and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and noted that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13 NIV

The biblical vision of God’s greatness is imperative to understanding prayer as an encounter. The psalmists, prophets, and apostles demonstrate that true prayer begins with awe. When Isaiah encountered God in the temple (Isaiah 6), he was overwhelmed by God’s holiness and glory. Similarly, prayer is not about approaching a distant or indifferent deity – rather, it is about standing before the Creator of the universe, whose majesty humbles and captivates us. He who resides in heaven meets with us who dwell on earth.

Awe: The Gateway to Encounter

Awe is the gateway to encountering God in prayer. This awe doesn’t lead us to a fear that drives us away, but rather, to a place of reverence that draws us closer. Tim Keller says that prayer “begins with a sense of awe before the infinite majesty of God, but it also includes the confidence of intimacy with Him.” When we approach God with the recognition of His greatness, we are invited into a deeper, richer relationship that changes us.

This encounter leads us beyond surface-level prayers into true communion. We should be warned against reducing prayer to a transactional or emotional activity. Tim Keller invites us to see prayer as a discipline of the heart and mind, where we meditate on God’s Word and allow His Spirit to guide and shape our thoughts. In this space of awe and submission, we begin to encounter God’s presence in a life-altering way.

‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly spoke God’s word. ‘

Acts 4:31 NIV

In this scripture, we see a transformation far beyond a psychological transition from introverts to extroverts! We see how a fear-filled, intimidated faith community is transformed into a bold, publicly proclaiming army of protagonists with God’s message on their lips.

Intimacy: Meeting God as Father

While prayer begins with awe, it moves toward intimacy. Through Christ, we have the extraordinary privilege of calling God “Father” (Romans 8:15). This intimacy does not diminish God’s holiness but makes it accessible to all. We can reflect on how Jesus’ teaching on prayer—the Lord’s Prayer—captures the reverence and closeness that define a true encounter. When we pray, “Our Father in heaven,” we hold together God’s transcendence and immanence, His majesty and His mercy.

In this encounter, we speak to God and are transformed by Him. John Calvin, one of the most influential leaders in church history, described prayer as, “climbing into the lap of God.” This intimate imagery is not sentimental but deeply theological: through Christ, we are welcomed into God’s presence, where we are both known and changed.

Transformation: Encountering God’s Glory

Prayer as an encounter reshapes every aspect of our lives. We are humbled as we encounter God’s glory; as we encounter His love, we are lifted up. This dynamic of awe and intimacy transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Prayer becomes an activity and a meeting place where God’s power and presence become real to us.

Conclusion

When we approach prayer as an encounter, we find ourselves drawn into the mystery of a God who is both infinitely holy and infinitely loving. Prayer “is awe before an infinite force, yet it is intimacy with a personal friend” (Tim Keller). This dual reality is the essence of true prayer—a life-changing encounter with the living God.