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Since we wrote an article on the reasons we do not have an altar in
the church building some may think that we do not believe in prayer.
People in times past have made this observation. Here are some things
about prayer.
1. Prayer is desire of the heart expressed to God. The New Testament
teaches that prayers, intercessions, supplications and giving of
thanks are to be made for all men (I Tim. 2:1-4). In the same
context it is also stated that Christ is the one mediator between
God and man (I Tim. 2:5,6). Christ taught us to pray "Our Father
who art in heaven" (Mat. 6:9). We then pray to God the Father, in
the name of Christ the Son with the promise that what we ask for
in his name will be given (John 14:13). God is glorified in the
Son.
2. Prayer is the Christian's privilege. "And because ye are sons, God
hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,
Abba Father."(Gal. 4:6). To become a son one has to be born again
of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). This comes about when he
hears the word, believes, repents and is baptized in water. Then
he is saved and added to the Lord's church (Acts 2:47). Being a
son he cries "Father, Father" and is heard. "And whatsoever we
ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do
those things that are pleasing in his sight." (I John 3:22). When
the Christian's life is full of prayer God works and brings about
answers to his prayers. Sometimes the answer is "no" like it was
when Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be removed
(2 Cor. 12:7-9). Instead God made his strength perfect in weakness
and Paul gloried in his infirmities because the power of Christ
rested upon him. Sometimes we pray for one thing and get another.
Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah to be spared if ten
righteous people could be found in them, but instead God delivered
Lot and his girls out of the inferno. (Gen. 18, 19). Sometimes the
answer is "wait awhile" because in his providence God has to work
out his plan over a time frame. Christians should realize that God
is in control of this world and he hears and answers the prayers
of his children. "And this is the confidence that we have in him,
that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that
we have the petitions that we desired of him." (I John 5:14, 15).
3. Christians should realize their own weaknesses and when they find
that they have done wrong they need to confess their sins to God.
He has promised he will forgive them and cleanse them from all
unrighteousness (I John 1:8-10). One of the main reasons for prayer
is to keep the record right in heaven. Notice that sins confessed
that have not been repented of will not be forgiven (Lk. 13:3-5).
Christians need to change their minds about their sinful practices
and reform their lives as they confess their sins to God so He can
forgive them. There is a struggle to overcome in the lives of
Christians who confess their sins to God. Christ condemned the
long pretensive prayers of the Scribes and Pharisees because they
did not repent and get right with God as they prayed. (Mat. 23:14)
The Publican "smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me
a sinner." And Jesus said, "I tell you, this man went down to his
house justified rather than the other" (Lk. 18:13, 14). Christians
need also to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil" (Mat. 6:13).
4. Christians need to pray for those who are lost because God will
have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth
(I Tim. 2:4). Now God's power to save is the gospel. (Rom. 1:16).
It is His will that people be begotten by the word of truth
(James 1:18). To pray for the lost then would be to pray for them
to hear the gospel and obey it or that the opportunities will
arise so the gospel would be preached to them. Jesus taught us to
pray for laborers in the harvest because the harvest is plenteous
and the laborers are few (Mat. 9:37, 38). That is in effect praying
for the lost because men must be taught of God and the ones hearing
and learning of God come to Christ. (John 6:44,45). We certainly
cannot pray that God would save the sinner from his sins without
his obeying the gospel. That would not be the Father's will.
5. Prayers to be effective do not have to be long but they must be
sincere. Study the scriptures! Learn how to pray! Pray with the
Spirit and understanding also (I Cor. 14:15).
Do you have questions or comments? Email us at Questions and we will reply shortly.
