The Necessity of Prayer 4

One of the great men of prayer was E.M. Bounds. His writings have inspired millions to a diligent life of prayer and consecration to the Lord. In the book “The Complete Collection of E.M. Bounds”, he stated:

“A school to teach preachers how to pray, as God counts praying, would be more beneficial to true piety, true worship, and true preaching than all theological schools.”

We can most likely trace a prayer-less church to prayer-less church leaders. They may have learned homiletics, hermeneutics, theology, or eschatology, but know nothing about waiting on God in extended times of prayer to receive wisdom and revelation from Him (Ephesians 1:15-23). As a result, they never stress the importance of prayer to the flock

they oversee.

This type of preacher or church leader is often producing congregations who want their ears tickled with just enough head knowledge to make them feel religious each week.

These individuals (like some of their leaders) will seldom go into their prayer closets “pay the price” of self-denial and discipline. They have no

or little desire to shut the door to worldly distractions. Nor will they pray

to their Heavenly Father in secret until He rewards them openly (Matthew 6:6). This separates church goers from earnest disciples who desire a close fellowship with the Father and are committed to obeying His Word.

When we talk about extended times of prayer, we’re not talking about a monologue, where we do all the talking, but a dialogue and fellowship with the Father where we share His burden for others, and He then takes our burdens, reveals His love for us, gives us grace, peace, wisdom, strength, direction, provision, and divine strategies. This is the kind of prayer where we emerge knowing we’ve encountered the Living God, Maker of Heaven, and Earth.

Prayer is like a loving father and child sharing their hearts, hopes and dreams with one another. Like exchanging their burdens with one another. The difference is the One we love is Almighty, Pure, Holy, Wonderful, Eternal, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Unfailing, and True. We love Him because He first loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin (1John 4:10,19).

The Father wants to hear from us. He wants us to be transparent with Him, He wants us to be real with Him (He knows all things but waits for us to be honest with Him). He loves us. He did not send Christ to condemn us but save us from our sins and iniquities so He could enjoy an eternal relationship with us. How amazing!

How can we not pray? How can we not give thanks to our Creator for His patient long suffering with each of us? How can we ignore the One Who loves us unconditionally more than anyone else? How can we despise and reject His offer to sit at His feet, worship, pray, love, linger, and receive His goodness?

Mary and Martha

Mary, the sister of Lazarus, recognized Jesus as more than just a good teacher, and she esteemed sitting at His feet and hearing His Word more important than being consumed with preparing the evening meal like her sister Martha..

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word."

"But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."

"And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus told His disciples to seek first the Kingdom of God and assured them everything else they needed would be provided (Matthew 6:30-31). In our culture today, most people are running after things first while leaving seeking the Kingdom last on the list of their priorities.

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

In a world riddled with chaos, confusion, and pain, prayer must be our constant go-to (Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer must become a necessity in our thinking and not a casual maybe.

Prayer will help us not to faint in the battles we all face (Luke 18:1). Prayer will help us finish our race with joy (Hebrews 12:1-2). Prayer will cause us to bear fruit that honors our Father and glorifies His Son, Jesus Christ (John 15:7-8). Prayer will keep us from falling and to present us to God (Jude 1:24). Prayer will help us become more like Christ (Galatians 4:19). Prayer will be our greatest and closet ally in time of need (Psalm 34:4).

More next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, richly bless and keep you.

James Brown

10/18/2023