Written by Ole Hallesby (1879-1961), a Norwegian theologian and author. This is an excerpt from his book “Prayer.”
Helplessness is unquestionably the first and surest indication of a praying heart. As far as I can see, prayer has been ordained only for the helpless. It is the last resort of the helpless, indeed, the very last way out. We try everything before we finally resort to prayer. And this is not only true of us before our conversion. Prayer is our last resort also throughout our whole Christian life. I know very well that we offer many beautiful prayers both privately and publicly without helplessness as the impelling power, but I am not at all positive that this is prayer. Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only the one who is helpless can truly pray. Listen to this, you who are often so helpless that you do not know what to do. At times, you do not even know how to pray. Your mind seems full of sin and impurity. I never grow weary of emphasizing our helplessness, for it is the decisive factor, not only in our prayer life, but in our whole relation to God.
I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [2 Corinthians 12:7-9]
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