Continuing Stedfastly In Prayer

by Micky Galloway

When one of the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), he uttered the deepest and most universal desire of the human heart: the desire of finite man to make real, personal communication with Him that transcends time, space, and matter. Prayer is a wonderful privilege extended to man. Prayer is more than wishful thinking. It is the “heart's desire” (praise, adoration, thanksgiving) expressed to God (Romans 10:1; Cf. Philippians 4:6). Prayer is addressed to God. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” When Jesus taught the disciples to pray he said, “After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

The very act of prayer is an expression of one’s dependence upon a power greater than his own. Jesus said in John 15:5, “Apart from me ye can do nothing...” Man needs God and He has promised, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). Prayer is not a futile act. God would not draw nigh to men were He not able and willing to hear their prayers to Him. Peter said that we are to, “Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He careth for you...” (I Peter 5:7). It is reassuring to know that the affairs of the universe are not so absorbing of God’s attention that he cannot give heed to the affairs of the individual soul. There are however, some conditions of acceptable prayer.

First, God has promised to hear the prayers of the righteous. “Jehovah is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). James said, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (James 5:16). John wrote, “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:21-22) . Jesus stated, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

God has not promised to hear the prayers of those who live their lives in rebellion to His will. The wisdom writer wrote in Proverbs 28:9, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.” The word “abomination” means that which is loathsome or detestable. Obviously, the blind man of John 9 whom Jesus healed understood this truth, for he said, “We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31).

This is a shocking truth to many who believe God is like a spare tire that can be neglected for years and then expected to respond only in times of emergency. These fail to understand the seriousness of sin. It is not that God is unwilling to help or that he does not care, but it is our sin that separates us from God. Isaiah said, “Behold, Jehovah's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Peter said, “For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil” (I Peter 3:12). Consider also, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear: But verily God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer” (Psalms 66:18-19). Beloved, let us examine ourselves and determine if indeed we are in the right spiritual relationship, wherein we may call upon God in prayer.

Second, in order to continue steadfastly in prayer, one must cultivate humility. Jesus illustrated this principle in Luke 18:9-14, “And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner. I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” James links humility with prayer (James 4:6,10). The book of Proverbs says pride leads to destruction (16:18), brings one low (29:23), and leads to contention (13:10) and shame (11:2). Humility will help one find both honor (29:23) and wisdom (11:2).

Third, let us pray in the name of Christ. Jesus said in John 14:13-14, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do” (cf. 16:23; cf. John 15:16; 16:26; I Peter 2:5). This is more than just quoting the phrase, but to pray by His authority (cf. Colossians 3:17).

Fourth, we must pray according to His will. John wrote, “And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us” (I John 5:14-15; cf. Luke 22:42). Very simply, in order to have our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), we must work (II Thessalonians 3:10). In order to be forgiven (Matthew 6:12), we must be forgiving (Matthew 6:14-15). Our inconsistency is glaring when we pray for God to grant our requests without fulfilling our responsibilities.

Though this is not an exhaustive discussion, let us realize the importance of continuing steadfastly in prayer (Acts 2:42), praying without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17), with the assurance that “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (James 5:16). Let us make sure our prayers are preceded by lives that strive to follow the footsteps of Jesus. Let us pray fervently according to the conditions of acceptable prayer. Thus, having met his conditions, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water; let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:19-21). If we will meet the Lord’s conditions then we can plead his promises. He will not fail you, “for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).