Pray; Always Pray

Prayer is foundational to the Christian life. And the Scriptures have much to say about prayer. I, like many other believers, can attest to the significance of prayer in everyday living. Prayer means speaking with our heavenly Father, therefore our failure to pray means we are not on “speaking terms” with Him. God created prayer as the means of communicating with Him. The Lord Jesus told a parable to His disciples “to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Note these words “ought always to pray.”

Prayer is about relationship and communication with Almighty God. Prayer is presenting to God our concerns and feelings and what we would like Him to do for us. Rest assured that God is already aware of what we will pray about. But His way of approach to Him is through prayer. He has declared, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24). The Bible also says, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). There are untold benefits for the person who prays. 

Admittedly, there are times when answers to our prayers are not exactly in line with our thinking or what we expect. However, it is not a matter of what we want but rather what we need. There is a big difference. Keep in mind that we must pray in accordance with God’s will and purpose. He knows much more than we do. In the prayer the Lord taught His disciples, it says “your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). Prayer accepts in advance the will of God, wether known or unknown, wether God will grant or withhold.

The Scriptures lay out for us exactly how we should approach prayer. The apostle Paul fully explains. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:26-28). Carefully note that it is the Holy Spirit who “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Hence, we are not ”left on our own” when we pray. Our prayers are Spirit-assisted and Spirit-directed.

Dr Charles Stanley states, “When we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit teaches to communicate in a whole new way. He not only soothes our hearts as we lay our burdens at the throne of grace, but also empowers us to become everything we were created to be (Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:6,7). He hears our inner cries, guides us by applying Scripture to our lives, and instructs us perfectly about how to do His will. On this side of heaven we may never understand how all things can work together for good for God’s children. Though not all things we experience are in themselves pleasant or helpful—some of them are very painful—we are promised that God uses everything for our benefit. Therefore, we must have faith that He will turn our failures, and hardships into opportunities for spiritual growth.” (Life Principles Bible, pages 1349, 1350).

The following is excerpted from Prayer: The Christian’s Weapon by Dr. Alan Redpath 1956.  “I want to emphasize that it is only when the child of God is on his knees before God that the victory will be won, and the church will advance only in proportion to the time which she really gives to secret, prevailing prayer. It is prayer which releases the channel along which the Spirit of God can flow through our lives into the lives of others. It is prayerlessness which blocks the channel. The church which does not pray, the Christian who does not really discipline his life to pray, no matter how hard he may work and witness for God, are utterly ineffective. For the whole of the New Testament rings out with the reality of the truth that it is not what I for Him that matters but what I am for Him.” 

There is much we can learn from the Lord’s “model” prayer He taught His disciples. He said “Pray then like this.” And the prayer begins, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9). Therefore, prayer must begin with the attitude of worship: “hallowed be your name.” We address God with reverence and respect, acknowledging His absolute holiness and all that He is and does. God is also worthy of honor, praise, and glory.

There is a beautiful conclusion to the Lord’s prayer: “For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:13). This is like a doxology and is in part like King David’s prayer recorded in 1 Chronicles 39:11 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory . . .” Isn’t this a wonderful and glorious ending to the Lord’s prayer. Amen.