How to become prayerful

In Romans 12: 12 we have the expression, "continuing instant in prayer." Persevering is the thought that is emphasised; not giving up till the answer comes. From the context of the verse we see that this prayerful attitude is a feature of the Christian life-style. In order to have time to pray we may need to give it priority over other things in our busy day. This takes effort, and interest and concern for others and for Christian things. This will be an opposite kind of life-style to that which marks the unbeliever. When we say we will pray for someone or something, do we? And for how long do we do so?

In Romans 12:12 we have the expression, “continuing instant in prayer.” Persevering is the thought that is emphasised; not giving up till the answer comes. From the context of the verse we see that this prayerful attitude is a feature of the Christian life-style. In order to have time to pray we may need to give it priority over other things in our busy day. This takes effort, and interest and concern for others and for Christian things. This will be an opposite kind of life-style to that which marks the unbeliever. When we say we will pray for someone or something, do we? And for how long do we do so?

Prayer brings one into the presence of God and promotes communion with Him. Without communion with God, spiritual life cannot be sustained and renew ed. "They that wait upon, the Lord, shall renew their strength" (Isa. 40:31). When we read the Bible, God talks to us and when we pray we talk to God. Both are necessary for communion, growth and development of the new nature.

The Psalmist said, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud" (Psa. 55:17). Daniel "kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God" (Dan. 6:10). So we should also do if we would be healthy Christians; do not begin the day without reading your Bible and praying to God. If you neglect to do so, you will soon be a defeated, starving Christian. Besides regular times of prayer each day, the believer is exhorted to be "continuing instant in prayer" and to "pray without ceasing" (Rom. 12:12; 1 Thess. 5:17). The dependent attitude of prayer should always characterize the child of God.

And here may I say a few words very much on my heart, which I think God perhaps may make useful to the younger ones here. I have known many a young Christian to be persuaded by those who ought to have known better; for I regret to say it is very often the older ones who mislead the younger; it is very often those who ought to know better who are the occasion of stumbling to the younger ones. I have known many a young Christian to relax a habit that I thank God for an increasing appreciation of — I mean morning and evening reading of the Scripture and prayer. "I know there are some quarters where people have considered they have reached to such an advanced state that they can dispense with what they look upon as worn out, if not old-fashioned. Thank God some are increasingly old-fashioned about that. They feel the increasing blessedness of it. Surely as often as you can, as well, but do not give up that. I have known many a young Christian who has relaxed that blessed habit of prayer; for I do call it blessed, to seek His face morning and evening; such I have known to slip, almost immediately. I believe it is an immense thing, and of the very first importance, to begin and end the day distinctly with God. You may say, "I can begin the day with God without that;" but remember, if you are truly dependent, you will never object to the expression of it. Do you say, "It is not necessary"? I say, beloved friends, it is most blessed, it is wholesome, and it is refreshing. Nor is it small in His eyes, the distinct recognition that nothing in my heart has displaced that blessed One, that He is supreme there. But there is even more than this in connection with it. Have you ever thought that the devil sees it? You may say, "But then God knows my heart." Yes; but I say Satan does not; he has no knowledge of your heart, and your thoughts, and what is going on inside of you. If he did he would be equal with God; but he sees you on your knees, and it is a wonderful thing — if I take it even on the lowest ground — it is an immense thing for a poor, helpless, weak one like myself to be a witness in some measure of dependence upon God. It is a wonderful thing, and I thank God for it, that I can be there on my knees, a witness to the creature that lost his first estate through being lifted up and independent, of what the grace and power of God can do in a nature that is in itself independent; how that grace can produce that dependence which is in every way suitable to us. What do you find was the first thing that was said of Saul of Tarsus? What was the proof given that he was a new creature? What did the Lord say of him? Was it, "He is preaching?" Was it "He is giving forth the most wonderful account of all these new things that his heart has got hold of?" Oh, by no means! What then does He say? "Behold, he prayeth!" Christ has His place there now. What a wonderful thing for the devil to see that! For Satan to see his once prime tool, dependent! Was not that a glory to Christ, and an immense mercy for Saul of Tarsus himself? Was it a small matter for him to be so completely turned out of everything he was connected with, that he is now as dependent as he was formerly independent? I say, beloved friends, it is everything; and so I leave this little word with you. And I pray that God may deepen the habit a thousand times more in us than it is; and instead of loosening by one single thread that which God has made the means of blessing to His people so often in the past (and the tendency is to unloose everything in these days), I would fasten it tighter if I could. The Lord grant this to any of my younger brethren here to-night who may have been over-persuaded, by so-called advanced views or anything else, to abandon in the least the blessed habit I have been referring to. I for one cannot regard these views as advanced, except as advanced views downwards. It is quite possible to be advanced in the wrong direction. The Lord keep us in the remembrance of this simple fact, that it is everything for our souls (it is a help, and sustainment, and solace) as we are kept in the habit of dependence. I do not mean in any sense going through a routine, I am speaking of the thing that has life, and vitality, and distinctness about it, and as such, has been the means of blessing unspeakable to numbers of God's people from the very first.

We have in Scripture private prayer spoken of, and also united, and it is well to consider both. The habit of private prayer, or such a state of constantly felt dependence on God as shall lift the heart to Him on all occasions, is set before us in such words as "Pray without ceasing;" that is, wherever we are, whether in the house, or place of business, or walking the streets, to have the heart habitually going out to God about all our need. But there is another thing which nothing else will supply; it is going into a secret place to pray — to be alone with God, to pour out the heart to Him, and wait upon Him. We find the Lord going out into a solitary place "to pray, going up" into a mountain," and "into the wilderness," to pray. Our Lord expressed His mind for us on this point most touchingly when He said, "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." (Matt. 6:6.) Here we have, first, the believer going into a secret place, away from every human eye and ear, for the express purpose of praying to his Father. 2nd. The fact announced that our Father is in that secret place — "Thy Father which is in secret." 3rd. The encouragement that those who do thus seek the Father shall not fail to be openly rewarded." How blessed this is!

The invitation to bring our requests to God — "in everything by prayer and supplication" — does not necessarily mean long hours spent on our knees pouring out our hearts in prayer. While quiet times are important, we cannot overstress the importance of constantly talking to God about everything during our daily activities.

This is what is meant in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing;" and in Ephesians 6:18: "Praying always." Habitually referring everything to our Father in the midst of our daily routine keeps us in touch with Him so that His peace can keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Christian is like a diver at the bottom of the sea, whose very life depends upon the maintenance of a connection with the surface. There is nothing around him to sustain life, but the reverse. A slender tube supplies him with air to breathe, and in his hand he holds the means of summoning help from above in the moment of danger. But this connection must be maintained constantly. Even so must the believer be in continuous, not spasmodic, communication with the power on high. This must be done by regular habits of prayer.

If you start the day with prayer you are not so. likely to forget to pray before you give a passionate reply to the person who insults you to your face. "Pray without ceasing."

But I will not pursue the subject further. You will, however, permit me to urge upon you perseverance in prayer. Rules on such a subject — as to times and frequency — we have no right to make or impose. Still of one thing be very sure — you cannot be too much in prayer. And if you dwell in the presence of God, you will find both the heart and occasion for prayer. Our responsibility is to pray without ceasing, always maintaining uninterruptedly the consciousness of dependence, and our need of divine grace. Thus we shall be always cast upon God, always enjoy liberty of heart in His presence, and consequently be always finding, in the constant reception of mercies, grace and blessing, in answer to our cries, new themes for thanksgiving and praise.

But I will not pursue the subject further. You will, however, permit me to urge upon you perseverance in prayer. Rules on such a subject — as to times and frequency — we have no right to make or impose. Still of one thing be very sure — you cannot be too much in prayer. And if you dwell in the presence of God, you will find both the heart and occasion for prayer. Our responsibility is to pray without ceasing, always maintaining uninterruptedly the consciousness of dependence, and our need of divine grace. Thus we shall be always cast upon God, always enjoy liberty of heart in His presence, and consequently be always finding, in the constant reception of mercies, grace and blessing, in answer to our cries, new themes for thanksgiving and praise.

Prayer is the atmosphere of the believer, and is as necessary for the new life as common air is for the natural life. And, first, private prayer which the Lord speaks of in Matt. 6:6. This is the practical starting-point for holiness of life (Acts 9:11). Can there be any living to God at all without it? In the closet we realise our nearness to the Father; there we hear the word intended for our own souls alone. May we not say there in anticipation the white stone is given with the new name written thereon, which no one knows but he that receives it? With what strength we go forth to meet the conflicts of each day when we have received the foretaste of the hidden manna! This is truly for the soul the needed sufficient bread day by day.