Praying Power

by R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Category: The Disciple Life | Sept 1990

Prayer is an absolutely vital part of the believer's life, whether that person be newly saved or long experienced in service for Christ.

When Ananias, an early disciple residing at Damascus, was instructed to visit a certain house where newly converted Saul of Tarsus was, he was told by the Lord that he would find him praying (Acts 9:10,11). Prayer is an expression of dependence and reliance upon God. The men of Judah prevailed against their enemies because "they cried unto the LORD" and "they relied upon the LORD" (2 Chr. 13:14,18). Victory is assured when the prayer of faith is uttered.

Private Prayer

In the Gospels the Lord Jesus gave two lessons on prayer: (i) Matthew 6:5-13 and (ii) Luke 11:1-3. He sets before His followers principles of private and public prayer. Verses 5 and 7 of the former passage give specific instructions on what not to do, while verse 6 shows what is to be done privately. Praying must not be done hypocritically, choosing to let others see the exercise, as if to gain attention and approval. Prayer is for the ear of God; only He can give the answers. Neither should there be copying what others say, nor multiplying empty words or phrases, as if to impress. The Lord is not objecting to repetition, He did so Himself - "saying again the same words" (Mat. 26:44). His repetitions were accompanied with earnest pleading and intense agony, especially on this occasion in anticipation of Golgotha.

The profitable way is to enter a "secret place" of private exercise, the store-room - the place of cherished experiences. Here we are not seen by others, the opposite of that practised in verse 5. No four-walled room is necessary; it can be a hilltop (Mat. 14:23); an isolated, quiet area (Luke 5:16), even a garden. That is where the Father hears and replies.

Public Exercise

Matthew 6:9-13 is a model prayer, not to be repeated word for word, but "after this manner". It is a pattern, nothing more. Remarkable in its brevity, perfect in its orderliness. Firstly, calling upon God's Person; secondly three expressions exalting His Name; thirdly four statements expressing human needs. His interests take priority (Thy Name ... Thy kingdom ... Thy will ...); others and ours are secondary. When He is put first in prayer, power will follow. Real communion with Him will enable realization of our need and His nearness.

The plural "ye" is in Luke 11:12. The meaning of "say" (Gk. le go) is "to give oral expression "to utter definite words". The passage contains the example of corporate prayer and more particularly in church gatherings. More time is to be spent praying privately than when doing so with others. Thus did the Lord leave the example by spending whole nights in prayer along with His Father (Luke 6:12). "Say" includes the thought that prayers should be vocal and heard by all so others may understand and add the Amen (1 Cor. 14:16). The attitude should not be slovenly or casual, but the words should be carefully chosen. Only the men are authorized to pray in the assembly meetings (1 Tim. 2:8). Womenfolk can pray silently ("spoke in her heart" 1 Sam. 1:13). Brethren in a church of God should all be exercised to pray audibly, no matter their age or experience. The time, of course, may not always permit everyone present participating audibly. Petitions should be usually short (less than a minute in Luke 11) and to the point. Acts 12:5,12 present a fine example of dedicated and answered prayer. A crisis had developed, an apostle slain, another imprisoned. What could be done? The only recourse - prayer. Prayer was made by the church - not by some but all. Earnestly (same word as in Luke 22:44) they invoked the Lord's help. They were sincere, fervent, succinct and serious in their exercises, privately and collectively. So should it always be. "Importunity" in Luke 11:8 is literally "without shame". Never be ashamed to pray. It is the power factor in an assembly or individual life. The power of the people of God and the servant of God will be directly proportionate to the activity in prayer.

What for, When, and How to Pray

What is prayer? It is asking, seeking, knocking (Luke 11:9). The Lord Himself is found praying in verse 1. Did he need to? He prayed as a Man dependent upon His God, as a Servant upon His Master, as a Son to His Father. Prayer is not only pleading, but pleasing - it is talking with God and enjoying His presence. That was the Lord's continual experience, the rich joy and boundless pleasure of communing with His God and Father. "When" (v.2) indicates frequency, not just when need arises. "Our" and "us" emphasizes unselfishness. Pray for others before yourself. This is fellowship in prayer. "Let us ... come boldly" (Heb. 4:16).

Persistence in prayer is a requirement. Never give up. Importunity will result in opportunity. "Ask" implies audible exercise; "seek" is indicative of constant exercise for direction; "knock" conveys the quest for opportunity to glorify God. These must be in line with God's will. His answers might not always be what we wanted or expected. They will be beneficial. In the illustrations of the loaves, fish and egg of Luke 11;5,11,12 the right things were requested. Sometimes the wrong things can be asked for, be certain of this, the Lord will never dispense what is harmful (stone, serpent or scorpion).

The answer to the question of what we ask for is given in verse 13. The secret of power for prayer is the Holy Spirit. Not asking Him to indwell, but rather to work and operate in our lives. The One who inhabits each person at conversion is to influence our actions. He guides, controls and directs our prayer-burdens (Rom. 8:26).

Prayer is never to become a formality. It is a real exercise, accompanied by thanksgiving (Rom. 1:8,9). Zeal, continuity and determination are to characterize "breathings" before the Lord. We have every right to ask others to pray for us (Col. 4:3). Prayer is to be always in faith (Jas. 1:6). Doubting has to have no place. The prayer-life of the believer is never to be mediocre. Watching (for dangers) and working (labouring for the Lord) are to be blended with prayer (Neh. 4:9,21). These are three main ingredients of successful Christian life. Communion with the Lord produces dramatic effects despite hindrances and discouragements. It all starts with prayer. However, remember that this is no substitute for action. It is its precursor. It is not an excuse for not working.

Pray for all men (1 Tim. 2:1) not without exception, for example, purveyors of evil, save to pray for their deliverance from it, but without distinction of race or background. Prayer is a weapon not of the flesh but of the Spirit, with immense power resulting from its use to resist sin (2 Cor. 10:4,5). The battle against false teaching is not by physical assault nor firstly by argument, but firstly by prayer. It is a sacred duty, not an option. "Love in need, appealing to Love in power".

Pray in the Holy Spirit, intelligently, reverently and discerningly by virtue of realized intimacy with God. By application of the life to prayer there will be cultivated an appetite and taste for God's Word, and an outcome of Spirit-power.

"PRAY ON"

R.B. Fullarton, Innerleithen, Scotland | Sept 1990
The Disciple Life