For
God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His
Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find
a way in the will of God to come to you. (Romans 01:09-10, NKJV).
We
so underestimate the value and efficacy (effectiveness) of prayer,
often because we fail to understand that it is more than a specific
activity, but rather an attitude and a constant state of mind.
The
Apostle Paul implies repeatedly in his letters that he was in
constant communication with his Lord and Savior, and implored
believers to do as he did: live each moment of our lives with God as
our witness, in dependence on Him.
If
taken literally, this encouragement seems impossible, but is it
really? If prayer is less a specific action and more a continuous
attitude, then isn't it possible to fulfill Paul's command here? If
we live our lives in acknowledged dependency on Jesus, and purpose in
our hearts to always maintain awareness of His Presence, then isn't
that the essence of prayer?
Now,
I am not at all saying that we should neglect the purposeful act of
prayer, for this same Paul writes that we should:
Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU. (1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, NKJV).
And,
Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7,
NKJV).
And,
Therefore
I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men, (1 Timothy 2:1, NKJV).
And,
I
desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy
hands, without wrath and doubting; (1 Timothy 2:8, NKJV).
And,
Stand
therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of
faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
(Ephesians 6:14-18, NKJV).
You
can see from these verses, that the specific activity of prayer is
also a large part of what Paul wrote us about so long ago. For prayer
is the very will of God in Christ Jesus for us.
It
is also the most powerful remedy that we have against something that
plagues us throughout our lives on this fallen world: anxiety and
fear. Think of all the prescription drugs that are dispensed in this
country in the vain hope of controlling and alleviating fear and
panic.
If
we allow it, prayer provides us with the peace of God that passes
all understanding; peace that nothing else can provide.
We
are also to make intercession (prayer on behalf of others) for all
people (even political leaders), giving thanks always, since prayer
and thanks are the two most effective antidotes to wrath and
doubting.
This
means that there is a huge aspect of prayer, regardless of anything
else about it, that is intended for our good in conforming us to the
image of Jesus. We, not just
our circumstances, are changed by prayer.
For
it is impossible to maintain anger at anyone while sincerely praying
and giving thanks for them; even those who cause us pain and
heartache. In fact, especially
those people, understanding that God allows them in our lives for His
perfect purposes.
Prayer
is also a large part of the armor of God in the incessant (never
ending) spiritual warfare we are engaged in this side of Heaven. It
has been likened to the “directed heavy artillery” that is used
from a distance to weaken enemy strongholds.
Know
this too, prayer is not an onerous obligation, but a remarkable
privilege we are granted in Christ. If we look at it any other way,
we lose awareness of what it really is – an incredible gift.
God
has promised to hear and respond to the prayers of His children, His
saints, which the Bible likens to a sweet-smelling incense filling
all of Heaven. Sometimes His answer is “no”, sometimes “yes”,
and sometimes the apparent silence is His telling us to wait. But
Jesus promises that whatever we ask in His name (meaning, according
to His character and essence), the Father will give us.
He
makes no such promises to those outside the faith.
One
final point, as a Father, I delight in giving my children the desires
of their heart, if it is in my limited human power and provided that
it does not result in harm. It is one of my greatest joys. But I
cannot reward them in this way if their behavior or attitude is
wrong, for that would be rewarding them for bad behavior, and thus
encourage its continuance.
How
much more than does our Perfect Father in Heaven delight in the same
thing, with His illimitable (without end) power, and with all-wisdom?
So
pray, dear one, and keep praying. Do not consider it a strategy of
last resort, after all your resources are exhausted, but consider it
the first thing always and everywhere.
Love,
Dad
