The apostle Paul writes, Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6). Paul is telling us, Seek the Lord about every area of your life. And thank him ahead of time for hearing you!
Pauls emphasis is clear: Always pray first! We arent to pray as a last resort going to our friends first, then to a pastor or counselor, and finally ending up on our knees. No Jesus tells us, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Were to go to the Lord first before anyone!
Why is it so hard for Christians, in times of crisis, to seek God for their desperate needs? After all, the Bible stands as one long testimony that God hears the cries of his children and answers them with tender love:
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry (Psalm 34:15).
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles (verse 17).
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 (1 John 5:14-15).
...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22).
...the prayer of the upright is his delight (Proverbs 15:8).
The Lord...heareth the prayer of the righteous (verse 29).
He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer (Psalm 102:17).
Listen to Davids great boast: In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul (138:3). David said, Ive proven you, God! In all my trials, I turned to no one else. I sought only you and you heard me, answered me, and gave me strength for the battle I was facing! Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee... (81:7).
These promises and testimonies are overwhelming evidence of Gods care. And theyre so varied, profound and numerous,
Yet when it comes to prayer, the Bible gives us more than promises. It also gives us warnings about the danger of neglecting prayer: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation... (Hebrews 2:3). The Greek word for neglect here means of little concern; to take lightly.
The context of this verse is a discussion of things related to our salvation and prayer is obviously one of these. God is asking, How do you expect to escape ruin and devastation in the dark times coming, if you havent learned to commune with me in prayer? How will you know and recognize my voice in that day, if you havent learned to hear it in your secret closet?
Jeremiah writes: Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number (Jeremiah 2:32).
Here is my big question the one thing I simply cannot understand: How can Gods own people who are under constant attack from hell, facing trouble and temptations on all sides go week after week without ever seeking him? And how can they claim to love him and believe in his promises, yet never draw near to his heart?
The Writer of Hebrews Calls Us to Draw Near to God!
Hebrews 10 contains an incredible promise. It says Gods door is always open to us, giving us total access to the father:
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; 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 (Hebrews 10:19-22).
A few verses later, were warned the day of the Lord is fast approaching: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (verse 25). God is saying, Even now, as the time of Christs return draws closer, you must seek my face.
I believe were already seeing the signs that prove were close to a meltdown of our financial system: Violence and immorality are on the rise. Our society is pleasure mad. False prophets angels of light have already deceived many with their doctrines of demons. Yet, before all this happens, the writer of Hebrews says:
Dont let the truth slip away from you! Stay awake and alert. You have an open door into Gods holy presence so, go into him with full assurance of faith, making your petitions known. Christs blood has already made the way for you and nothing stands between you and the father. You have every right to enter into the holy of holies, to receive all the help you need!
When we take lightly Jesus sacrifice which he gave so we could have access to the father for all our needs we do despite to the grace of God, provoking his anger!
Yet, even with all these powerful warnings about the dangers of neglecting prayer, Christians still find it hard to pray. Why? I believe there are four reasons for this:
1. Some Christians Dont Pray
Because They Have a Lukewarm Love for the Lord! When I use the word lukewarm to describe a persons love for Jesus, I dont mean hes cold toward the Lord. Rather, I mean his love is inexpensive not costly. Let me give you an example:
When Jesus addresses the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, he first commends them for all theyve done. He acknowledges theyve labored hard in the faith hating sin and compromise, refusing to accept false doctrines, never fainting or giving up when persecuted, always taking a stand for the gospel.
But, Christ says, he holds one thing against them: Theyve forsaken their fervent, expensive love for him! Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (Revelation 2:4).
Somehow amid all their good works, they left behind their loving, disciplined walk with Jesus. And now he tells them, Youve left your first love. Youve forsaken the costly discipline of coming into my presence, to commune with me!
Please note: Jesus is speaking here of believers who started out with a burning love for him. He isnt addressing dead, cold, nominal Christians, who never loved him in the first place. Rather, hes saying, Its possible for someone who once had a heart of love for me to let his zeal become lukewarm. The devoted servant who once ran daily to seek me in his secret closet now seldom prays at all!
All our works are in vain, unless we return to our bright-burning love for Jesus. We have to realize, Loving Jesus isnt just about doing things. It involves the daily discipline of maintaining a relationship. And that will cost me something!
2. Some Christians Dont Pray Because Theyve Perverted Their Priorities!
A priority is the importance you place on something. And Christians who neglect prayer have perverted their priorities!
Many believers pledge theyll pray if and when they can find the time. Yet each week, seeking Christ becomes less important to them than washing the car, cleaning the house, visiting friends, eating out, going shopping, watching sports. They simply dont make time to pray.
Yet people were no different in the days of Noah and Lot. Their top priorities were eating and drinking, buying and selling, marrying and caring for their families. They had no time to listen to messages of Gods coming judgment. And so no one was prepared when judgment fell!
Evidently, nothing has changed over the centuries. For most Americans, God remains at the bottom of the priority list. And at the top are income, security, pleasure, family. Of course, for many Americans God doesnt even make the list. But that doesnt grieve the Lord nearly as much as how little hes valued by his own children!
The prophet Malachi writes: If ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts (Malachi 1:8).
Malachi is saying, Youre bringing just any old farm animals to sacrifice in Gods presence. But these are careless, thoughtless, secondhand gifts. Try giving those kinds of offerings to your governor. Hed have you thrown out of his presence!
God expected his people to go through their flocks carefully, examining every animal, to choose the most perfect specimen among them for sacrifice to him. And likewise today, God expects the same from us. He wants our quality time time that wont be rushed or hurried. And were to make that time a priority!
3. Some Christians Dont Pray Because Theyve Learnedto Live Without Prayer!
Many Christians think all thats required of them is to go to church, worship, listen to the preaching, resist sin, do their very best, and all will be well for them. This is the sacrifice they bring to God and they think hes pleased with it!
I fear for every Christian whos learned to live comfortably with no daily prayer life whos never had a growing communion with the Lord. Such people end up strangers to him. And theyll be among those whom Christ rebukes on judgment day: Yes, you did many great works you healed people, you performed miracles, you brought many into my kingdom. But I never knew you. Depart from me, stranger!
How can we escape Gods anger and displeasure, if we neglect his great gift of salvation? How can we face him on judgment day, when the books are opened to reveal we havent spent any time with him? We may answer, Lord, I realize I made very little time for you. I spent it all on myself, my family, my career. But now Im ready to spend eternity getting to know you.
prayerless Christians are shallow in their faith, easy targets for false teachers, quickly led astray from the true gospel. Such Christians are always learning but never maturing!
4. Some Christians Dont Pray Because They Dont Believe
God Hears Their Prayers!
Over time, many believers get discouraged over unanswered prayers and, they simply give up. They think, Maybe I just lack faith. All I know is, prayer doesnt work for me. And why should I pray if it doesnt work?
The Israelites in Isaiahs time had the same attitude. Isaiah wrote: They seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness...they ask of me...they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge [notice]?... (Isaiah 58:2-3).
These people were accusing God of child neglect! They were saying, I love God I do right and avoid sin. And, until recently, Ive been faithful to seek him in prayer. But, you know what? Hes never answered me! So, why should I continue afflicting my soul before him? Hes never taken notice of my pleadings!
James writes that God doesnt answer the prayers of those who ask for things simply to satisfy themselves: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (James 4:3). In other words: Youre not asking for Gods will. Youre not ready to submit to whatever he wants. Rather, youre trying to dictate to him those things that will satisfy your own heart!
Make no mistake our God is utterly faithful. Paul writes, ...let God be true, but every man a liar... (Romans 3:4). Hes saying, in essence, It doesnt matter if you hear a million voices crying, Prayer doesnt work. God doesnt hear me! Let every man be called a liar. Gods word stands and he is faithful to hear us!
Jesus said, ...whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22). Simply put, Christ is saying, If you truly believe, youll be willing to wait and expect an answer from your heavenly father. And it wont matter to you how long it takes. Youll hold on in faith, believing hell answer!
If God has delayed answering a particular prayer of yours, you can be sure hes testing your faith. He wants you to trust him when he appears to be silent. And he tests you, to see if youll say, I give up. He doesnt answer! Ultimately, he wants your faith to come forth as pure as gold so youll be equipped to receive many answers, both for you and for others!
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31:19). ...they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing (34:10).
Go to your secret closet regularly, and seek him with all your heart. Thats your answer to a healed marriage, to unsaved family members, to every need in your life. Your answers may not come overnight. Yet, God will do his work in his time and his way. Your part is to believe he is faithful to answer because youre his beloved child!
