THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER

I Was Just Thinking About – THE EFFICACY OF PRAYER.

What is prayer? The Westminster Shorter Catechism answers: “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to His will, in the name of Jesus Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of His mercies.” Psalm 62:8 should motivate one to pray often: “Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.”

Following the Church Shooting in Texas, a Breakpoint entry was: “Prayer Shaming and the Church Shooting.” John Stonestreet wrote: “Prayer, it seems, is no longer a politically acceptable response to tragedy. Instead, we're being told to put our trust in something else… Until last week, saying that you were praying for someone was seen an act of kindness, even if the other person didn't believe in the efficacy of prayer…” R.C. Sproul shared: “Whether or not prayer works, we must engage in it, simply because god himself commands us to do it.”

The instruction of James 5:13-18 is: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up…. Pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

When you say: “Praying!” or “I’ll remember you and this situation in Prayer!” – what exactly does that mean and what does it cause you to do? Jesus shared the basic manner by which one should Pray. He cautions one not to be hypocritical and using empty/meaningless phrases (Matthew 6:5). He then goes on to instruct that which he considers to be purposeful praying: Matthew 6:6-9, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this… (the model of The Lord’s Prayer).

Jesus is not too concerned about actual location or one’s position (standing, kneeling of falling prostrate). He wants our prayer to be as free of distraction as possible and focused on the particular need and/or request. You can be in a busy work-place and still pray with purpose and focus. A military person on an active battlefield can pray with feeling and urgency. For those who seek to shame those who believe in Prayer, they are to be pitied. When we Pray, we are communicating with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. Keep up this good practice and Pray without ceasing (First Thessalonians 5:18).

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

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