Knocking on Heaven’s Door, besides being a song by Bob Dylan and performed by Guns N’ Roses (and others), is a wonderful book by David Crump on prayer. Probably no other book on prayer has affected my idea and practice of prayer like this book.

One of the main points I’ve been taking away from my reading is the idea that prayer isn’t a “petition machine.” Crump dispels the idea that prayer is formulaic and can be mastered in order to guarantee results. Rather, prayer is the avenue of communion with our loving God. In other words, prayer must be seen in a relational context.

How would it feel if your friend approached you only to make requests, and would employ methods of earnestness and persistence to gain his desire? You would feel manipulated, wouldn’t you? In the same way, prayer can be egocentric and devoid of communion.

Crump writes:

“Prayer, regardless of its specific content, creates an open channel of two-way communication between heaven and earth. Not only is the Father the recipient of our messages, but prayer opens us simultaneously to his.”

Once again, everything goes back to relationship and communion. It’s all about imitating the Trinity in their loving union. God invites us into this fellowship of love, and prayer is the way to enter in.

I’ve never heard Dylan’s song, but I have knocked on heaven’s door many times.