Spiritual Disciplines, Part 3

January, 2008

by: Brock Bolde

Without a doubt, prayer is one of the most talked about privileges of a believer. And yet, it is one of the most misunderstood privileges that you and I have. Much has been written on the subject of prayer but the Bible must be the book that shapes and forms our understanding on this all-important subject. Only by having a biblical view on prayer will you and I ever be able to tap into the incredible power that is to be found in prayer. As parents that are seeking to train up our children in the way they should go, we must do everything possible to help them to have a proper understanding of this great gift. Regarding the necessity of prayer in the Christian’s life, Martin Luther, the great reformer once noted – “As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” (Blanchard, Gathered Gold, p. 227). Prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian life and faith is the necessary foundation from which our prayers must spring forth. If you and I are to expect anything from God, then we must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And as the One who overcame death, we can have faith that anything we bring to Him, He is more than capable of handling. It’s rather odd how we can sometimes think that our problems are too big for God. We would never verbally state this, but our worry and anxiety give us away. Many of us approach God in an inappropriate manner by doubting. We fail to heed the warning that is found in James 1:5-8:

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

When we doubt that God can do what He says He will do – we lack faith! As a result, we become unstable because on the one hand we say that we believe in Jesus, that He performed countless miracles while on the earth, that He died on the cross for our sins, that He conquered death and rose from the grave on the third day, that He ascended into Heaven and promised to come back some time in the not too distant future. But on the other hand, we say that even though He did all of that, this situation is different. All of a sudden, the God whom we teach our children to trust and obey is not quite sufficient for the handling of our problems. If we go to God doubting that He can somehow handle our situation, then we are lacking in the necessary ingredient of faith and we “ought not to expect that (we) will receive anything from the Lord.”

Each of us has certain things going on in our lives that can weigh heavy on our hearts; things that can tempt us to not trust God. Whether it’s a situation at work, or a problem with your spouse or children, maybe you’ve got some financial struggles, whatever the case may be, if you want God to hear your prayers then you must go to Him in faith and believe that He is more than able to change the things that are weighing heavy on your heart; you must believe and trust in the words of Matthew 11:28-30 whereby Jesus told the crowds:

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Going to God in faith will not give us the license to ask Him for anything, but it will enable us to approach Him in an appropriate manner. If God is to hear our prayers, then our prayers must be offered in faith – trusting in the sufficiency and the power of God to carry out His good and perfect will within our lives, and the lives of our children.