The Christian and Prayer

Matthew 7:7-11

One of the most important activities in which a Christian will desire to engage is that of prayer.  In order to pray effectively we must be careful about our approach to God, and the purpose we have in mind.  Let me mention three simple things that relate to the Christian and the all important matter of prayer.

1.     The Possibility of Prayer

2.     The Purpose of Prayer

3.      The Practice of Prayer

I.      The Possibility of Prayer.

On what grounds may we approach God?  There are three difficulties that arise out of God’s attributes and our limitations. 

A.      First – Our Insignificance in the light of His Almightiness.  What right have I as a mere one out of earth’s millions that populate this little speck in the universe called the earth, to dare to approach the one who rules the universe?  Why should He be bothered with me and my needs and requests?  We must remember that the Eternal God who holds the universe in His hand, the Infinite and Almighty God is my Father.  He loves to look at us as His children.  On the basis we Know God is willing to hear our cries and bless us. (Matt. 7:11).  Of course only Christians can regard God as their Father. (John 1:12)

B.       Second – Our Iniquity in the Light of His Holiness.  This sinfulness must be overcome, ere we can approach God in prayer.  We must find the way whereby a sinner can approach a Holy God.  God has provided that way by the death of Christ.  We can have boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus. (Heb. 10:19)

C.       Third – Our Ignorance in the light of God’s Infinite Wisdom.  God knows everything.  Are not our prayers often without point?  Often our praying is without understanding of His will regarding the topic of praying.  This is where the Holy Spirit comes to our aid.  (Romans 8:26-27)  We can draw nigh to God.  We are allowed the blessing of coming to God.  He invites us to come and to come boldly.

II.      The Purpose of Prayer.

May I suggest for this matter that the purpose is at least threefold:

A.      To Deepen our Fellowship with God and Strengthen our lives.  By prayer we can become like Moses.  The Lord said to him or spake to him, “As a man speaketh unto his friend.” (Ex. 33:11)  “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  (Isa. 40:31)

B.       To Derive God’s Blessing.  Prayer is the method we use to ask God for things we need.  “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” (James 4:2b)  It is part of God’s purpose to give to His children. (Matt. 7:11)  We pray for others as for ourselves.  Our needs are multiplied.

C.       To Determine the Will of God.  Prayer is not “Getting our own way with God.”  We do not pray to persuade God.  No, God uses our praying to do His will.  Seek God’s will in prayer.  Pray in His will. (I John 5:13-14)

                   Prayer might be -

                             Delayed in being answered

                             Different answer than expected

                             Denied

III.      The Practice of Prayer

A.      There must be a Period for prayer.  There must be in all our lives a time to pray.

B.       There must be a Place to pray.  Where will I pray?  This may be difficult.

                   Apart – from the crowd

                   Away – in a place somewhere

                   Alone – in a private place

C.       The Posture in prayer.  In Bible days some stood up and looked up and some kneeled – Daniel.  We learn to Pray by Praying.

 The Sin of Prayerlessness

I Samuel 12:23

Sin can be of two kinds:  It consists either in the doing of what I know to be wrong (In that sin is the transgression of the law) I John 3:4, or sin is the failure to do what I know to be right.  “To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

There are sins of Commission or sins of Omission.  Both are sins.  It is a question as to whether it is worse to be a man who does the worst, or one who fails to do the right and best.  Both sins are equal before God.  One of the most common sins in the Christian life is the sin of prayerlessness.  “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” (I Sam. 12:23)  This failure involves every Christian.  Prayer is possible for every child of God.  Every Christian can pray.

          We can not all preach.  Some of us think we can.

                   But we can all pray.

          We cannot all give large sums of money, but we

                   Can give a lot more than we do.

                   We can all pray.

          We cannot all go to the mission field.

                   We can all pray.

          We cannot all teach a class, but we can all pray.

                   This we all must do.

The first mark of the “new life” is prayer. (Acts 9:11)

          Why is Prayerlessness a Sin?

I.      Because by Prayerlessness the Cross of Christ is Despised.

I say this because one of the highest privileges of the Christian life has to do with the access to God, which we are meant to enjoy.

Some have argued about the true symbol of the Christian faith.  Is it a cross or a crucifix?  If I read the Bible correctly, is it not the symbol of the “rent veil”?  The veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom by God’s own hand, announcing to mankind the very essence of Christian experience that was now available, was access into the very presence of God Himself.  Men can have fellowship with God.

A.     Now think of the Untold Price of this access.  The veil was rent when the price was paid for our redemption.  When Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Ghost, the veil was rent from top to bottom.  This access includes the privilege of prayer.  This was bought at infinite cost.  The writer to the Hebrews had this in mind when he said, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to helping time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)  See also Romans 5:1-2.  That price was paid so we could have access to God’s presence.

B.     Now consider the Untrod Path.  The price is paid, but the path is not used.  How hurtful this must be to the heart of God!  The Cross made the privilege possible.  Prayer is one of the normal things of the Christian life.  Christ said, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”  (Matt. 6:6)  That prayer is individual.  That prayer is united.  “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19)  The access is meant to be used.  The privilege is meant to be valued.  This gift is meant to be treasured.  Every time we neglect the path, we despise the Cross that opened it.  Oh, the sin of prayerlessness, to treat the Cross in such a way!  Prayerlessness is not a kind of spiritual slackness or laziness.  It is sin.  The Cross of Christ is despised.

II.      Because of Prayerlessness the Church of Christ is Deprived.

Not only is there an access that the Christian is meant to enjoy, but there are answers the Christian is meant to receive in prayer.  The Scripture and history make it clear that prayer does something, or it enables God to do something.  We sing:  “Prayer moves the arm that moves the world To bring Salvation down.”  Prayer changes things, and the absence of prayer means that things are not changed.

A.     See the Encouragements to Pray in the Bible.  The unrepentant is never heard in Heaven.  “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss.”  “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)  God hears and answers prayer, and still the church doesn’t pray.

B.     See the Impoverishment when the Church doesn’t pray.  Is this not one of the things wrong today?  James says, “Ye have not because ye ask not.”  The resources are there for us, but they have never been tapped.  Isn’t this sin?  There are human needs that can only be met by Divine Grace.  Oh, the world has a need, yea the church has a need!  Listen, “They have not because we ask not.”  The Bible says prayerlessness is a sin because:

            the Cross of Christ is Despised.

            the Church of Christ if Deprived.

III.      By Prayerlessness the Cause of Christ is Defeated.

There is access we can enjoy.  There are answers we are meant to receive, but there is an enemy we are to defeat, and that by prayer.

Hear Paul in Ephesians 6:12-18 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (v12)  “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (v13) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (v14) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (v15) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. (v16) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (v17)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Read also II Corinthians 10:3-4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”

We are at war.  We war against powers of darkness that control this world and agents from the headquarters of evil.  Human weapons will not avail.  Prayer and prayer alone will penetrate the darkness and defeat the enemy.

1.     There is an Attack against the enemy that must be made, and made on our knees.

2.     There is an Advance that must be made and can only be made by prayer.  We are meant to win and not lose.  Prayerlessness is not merely a “lazy spot” in our lives, but a sin that grieves God.

Excerpted from:
"Bible Studies on Prayer"
by Andrew Telford - 1972