Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 9

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Thoughts on Prayer

Prayer is the breath of life of an awakened soul. A soul that is spiritually alive is in constant communion with the living God. How do we know a person is physically alive? He breathes. How do we know a person is spiritually alive? 

Our Lord Jesus gave this litmus test to Ananias of Damascus. He asked Ananias to arise and go into the street called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus for “behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11). 

How do you know that a baby is alive? The baby cries. By the cry of the baby, we know that the child is alive and active! Similarly, for the child of God. How do you know if he is spiritually alive? He prays. Prayer is communion with God.

And prayerlessness is the symptom of a diseased soul, plagued with unbelief, lusts and carnal, much encumbered in the sins of the flesh. 

The Apostle Paul says to the Christian – Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.The Christian’s walk refers 

A prayer-filled or “prayer full” life is the strongest assurance to live a victorious Christian life against the world, the devil and the flesh.

The word “walk” is in the present continous tense, depicting a life-style, a habit of life living in the presence of the Spirit of God that gives strength to overwhelm the flesh and bearing forth the spirit’s fruit.

The Christian is weak and powerless without prayer. Prayer is the source of the Christian’s strength. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on the knees. The Church of Jesus Christ advances on her knees when the saints come together to pray.

The apostolic Church was fervent in prayer. And Church history testified of the close relationship between praying and spiritual revival.

C. H. Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, was showing some visitors over the Tabernacle (London). After taking them to the main part of the building, he said, “Come, and I’ll show you the heating apparatus.” Imagine their surprise, when he took them to a room where four hundred were gathered in a prayer meeting. The church with warmth of spirit must have the warmth-producing prayer meeting. — Al Bryant

It is well observed of old in the history of the church that the prayer meeting is best measure of the heartbeat or the spiritual vitality of the church. It is a yardstick to measure how “popular” God is in the hearts of the congregation. 

Judge Black’s “Previous Engagement”

Judge Black, of Georgia, when he was a young lawyer, was invited to deliver an address of welcome to the Governor of the State on Monday evening. He took great pains to prepare his address, but a telegram came on Monday, saying that the Governor’s visit would be deferred till Wednesday evening. Mr. Black at once wrote the committee that a previous engagement would prevent his being present on Wednesday evening.

Few persons besides the pastor of his church knew that the previous engagement was the regular weekly prayer-meeting which the young Christian lawyer had set apart as sacredly devoted to the public worship of God; and no service to man or State, though it might be for his own promotion, could make him swerve from his purpose. — Current Anecdotes

What then is prayer? Prayer is coming to the very presence of God. How are we to pray? What are we to prayer? Let us seek the Lord’s mind in this matter. In Matthew 6:5-13, our Lord began with two injunctions how not to pray (v5-8), setting the right framework for prayer then Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray (v9-13).

  • Pray Not Like the Hypocrite (v5-6)

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners

of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

Insincere prayer is exposed in v5, Jesus points out the wrong motive for prayer. Jesus is not condemning public prayer rather let us be sincere in our piety, hating the evils of hypocrisy. When we pray we are to keep our focus upon God and Him alone. 

  • Pray Not Like the Heathen (v7-8)

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

The heathen prays with many words because he thinks he shall be heard better for his much speaking. We are to use not vain repetitions as the heathen do. Prayer must not be a meaningless babbling, by the use of many meaningless words.

  • Pray Like Jesus Prayed (v9-13)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught His disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. (Shorter Catechism)

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee