DO YOU HAVE THE HEART TO PRAY? (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Prayer is simply man talking to God.  It is God’s child coming into his Father’s presence with a request.  It is the expression of dependence of the human being on a resource and power that is greater than himself.  Prayer should be something simple.  However, many Christians find that it can be a very difficult disciple.  Oh yes, it is easy to mutter a few words of thanks.  And, it is easy to cry out unto God when we are facing struggles in our lives.  But, how many of us really believe that we have mastered the disciple of prayer?  How many of us really believe that we are “prayer warriors”? 

            The Bible instructs each of us to pray.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 sets forth a three-word command to this effect:  “Pray without ceasing.”  In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus instructs us with these words:  “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”  James reveals that the way to obtain wisdom is through prayer.  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering:  for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord.  A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways” (Jms. 5:5-8).  David knew the value of prayer and prayed often every day according to Psalm 55:16-17.  “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.  Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud:  and he shall hear my voice.”

            Jesus was a man given to prayer.  This might shock us somewhat since He was the Son of God.  However, as a man He was dependent upon His heavenly Father while He carried out His work on earth.  Luke’s gospel portrays the humanity of Jesus to the Gentile world.  In his narrative on the “Life of Christ,” he presents the prayer life of Jesus to his readers on numerous occasions.  Let’s read a few passages that show us Jesus as a man of prayer.  “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16).  “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).  “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray” (Luke 9:29).  “And the Lord said, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift you as wheat:  but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not… “ (Luke 22:31-32).  “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:  nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:41-42).  Jesus was so intense with His prayer life that He was asked to teach men to pray.  “And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus’ example is provided for us to follow (See 1 Pet. 2:21).  If the Son of man needed to pray, we certainly need to lift up our voices unto the throne of God.

            Jesus was asked to teach others to pray and did not hesitate to do so because He knew the importance of prayer in the believer’s life.  There are numerous texts that reveal Jesus’ doctrines regarding prayer.  Most are very familiar with the Lord’s prayer.  Jesus set forth a model that all can use while praying.  “After this manner therefore pray ye…” (Matt. 6:9-13).  Prior to this, however, Jesus forbade public prayers used to be seen of men and the use of vain repetitions in prayer.  “But thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…” (Matt. 6:6).  And again:  “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:7).  In Luke 9:13, Jesus noted the Father’s willingness to give good things to those who ask Him.  One of the most potent teachings about prayer was given to the Jewish leaders “which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others” (Luke 18:9).  Jesus told the story of “two men who went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican” (Luke 18:10).  The Pharisee was bold and arrogant in his expressions to God.  The publican, on the other hand, was broken and contrite, saying:  “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).  Jesus concluded His teaching stressing the need for humility in prayer.  “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other:  for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). 

            The faithful child of God must come to understand the value of prayer and develop an effective prayer life.  If this is going to be done, he must develop a heart for prayer.  There are at least sixteen qualities that are need to be found in the heart of one who prays successfully to God.  In our next article, we will begin examining some of these traits.  The quicker we learn them and take them into our closets and pray, the richer our lives will be for it.  As we conclude this article, let’s be reminded of a promise Jesus made regarding God’s response to those who come to Him praying in simple, trusting faith.  “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:11).