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Volume. XL, No. 35 Spiritual Insights on Prayer (Part 1 of 2) Introduction “The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men of prayer" E. M. Bounds. Prayer for the saints and sinners is so desperately needed today. Often, the church is caught in the worldly philosophy devised by man rather than the principles of God. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Mark 1:35 speaks of our Lord’s habit in prayer every morning with God the Father before he even begins the day and Job, David and Daniel did the same on their knees in much supplication (Daniel 6:10, Ps 5:3, Job 1:5). James’ advice is that if any is afflicted, let him come and seek the Lord fervently and pray in humble intercession; and to direct him to seek for the prayers of ministers and elders and the brethren to pray corporately one for another in our needs (James 5:14-15). The Efficacy of Importunate Prayer There is a good testimony when we humble ourselves and seek God in prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14). This we ought to do as James said, effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16), whether he prays for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias, v17,18. Notice the three words: effectual, fervent and righteous. God honours a godly man’s prayer when he is importunate with heaven. He who prays is a righteous man; (not righteous in an absolute sense but one who has the imputed righteousness of Christ) loving holiness and the fear of God. The prayer of the upright is God’s delight. The merciful father is nigh to all who call upon Him. The prayer of the saints should be zealous and persistent before the throne of grace. Matthew 21:22 says, ’And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ It is by a sincere pouring out of the soul to God and it must proceed from a faith in God and a desire to seek God. Such prayer God will honour and answer and we are assured of it being acceptable to God. Philippians 4:6 says, ‘Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.’ It is important that our prayers are brought to the knowledge of God with thanksgiving. We should strive to be humbly dependent on God and to be right with God first, to be effectual in prayer. The Fervent Prayer of Elijah The power of service is seen in Elijah’s ministry in his extraordinary prayer life. Elijah was a man like us. He was a gifted and capable man but he had his infirmities and was subject to weakness. There are many trials and tests in the life of the servant of God but God’s grace is sufficient for him if he dares to trust God in his prayers. In prayer, we look to the mercy and grace of God alone. We should learn from Elijah, that he prayed most earnestly. It is not enough to say a prayer, we must intercede importunately in our prayers before God. Prayer is not just prattle, prayer is battle as it is spiritual warfare. Our thoughts of God must be fixed and not distracted , our desires, firm and ardent, yet submitted to the will of God. We should pray together in one spirit as Paul requested for prayer for himself in Romans 15:30, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Elijah prayed that it might not rain and God heard him in his pleading against an idolatrous king and country, so that it rained not on the earth for the space of 3½ years (1 King 19:1-4). Again he prayed three times and the heaven gave rain. Prayer can be the key which opens and shuts heaven as God wills. We have witnessed how God answered prayers in the lives of worshippers at SHBPC in the work of the gospel these 4 and a half months. Prayer is not a magical formula to manipulate God as is taught by some in expounding the Prayer of Jabez which is almost twisting God in giving us what we want. This instance of the extraordinary efficacy of prayer is recorded for encouragement even to ordinary Christians to be instant and earnest in prayer. If Elijah by incessant prayer could do such amazing events in the will of God, this should encourage more prayers from His servants and subjects. While there may not be supernatural signs in God’s answering our ardent prayers, much dependence on His sovereign grace is needed when we ask with perseverance and according to His will. John 16:24 says, ‘Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.’ |
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