“ . . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints . . . .”- Ephesians 6:18
I pray every day and every night. It doesn’t make me a “saint.” In fact, it is because I’m no saint that prayer is vital for my spiritual life. Prayer is one-on-one communication with God, quite possibly the best definition I can give you.
Why pray? What’s the point? For one thing, God has promised to forgive us our sins. Will any of us actually stand here and deny we sin? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:8-9. Approaching the concept of sin, even from the most secular position, implies there is probably going to be a price to pay for our transgressions. Should we profit by ignoring the demands of the one true holy God?
A second reason I pray is because Scripture tells us that it is good for the community I live in, the place where I live, work, eat, sleep and raise my family! “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” - 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
We live in a fallen world; does it not make sense to pray for its salvation . . . and mine? Certainly, I am called upon to seek God’s grace and blessings and He has said by seeking Him and turning from sin, He will forgive us and heal us. “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
The key to successful prayer is God’s will. We can’t just pray for anything and expect God to come through for us like a genii. It just doesn’t work that way. We must always and everywhere pray for God’s will to be done. Only then can we hope for an answer. If we fail to consider God’s will, He won’t even hear us. “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” - 1 John 5:14.
But, we cry that despite our best efforts He doesn’t hear us. The hard truth is ever before us. This truth will not be denied. “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” - John 9:31. Need more? “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” - Isaiah 59:2. God doesn’t listen? He has spoken. Are we listening? “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” - Proverbs 28:9.
God has given us a command that will benefit us if we heed it. It tells us what we must do and it tells us why we must do it. If we ignore it, we do so at our own peril. If we ignore it, we should not be surprised by the silence which greets us. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Even a casual observer can tell us that God’s command to pray and His demands for it are indicative of the primary weapon in our spiritual arsenal. Prayer. And we cannot have it or use it on our own worldly terms. It must be on God’s terms or it will not be prayer at all. Ungodly prayer emits no more than the sound of a crackling fire and all that is left afterward is ashes.
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