Prayer

In the pages of the Bible, it soon becomes evident what a great part prayer played in the lives of men of old. From earliest time, men of faith have turned to God in prayer, and the pages of Scripture contain sublime examples of the outpourings of hearts which sought to be in tune with their Maker. Perhaps the most moving of all these is that which burst forth from the lips of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The very strength of this prayer is a perfect example of the desire of a man to give himself entirely, in obedience to the will of God. As he neared the hour when the final sacrifice would be asked of him, Jesus — in an agony — prayed: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done”.

Prayer is an exercise which should fill a large part of OUR lives — particularly in these days when there is so much in the world to take us away from God. The questions may arise in some hearts: “HOW should I pray?” or “WHEN should I pray?”. The Scriptures of Truth should help us answer these questions. How? Let us remember the Lord Jesus “who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears…. was heard in that he feared” (Heb. 5:7). Do WE follow his example? When? Paul answers the question very simply: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Some may even say: “I do not know how to pray”. If anyone does not know how to pray, let him read and re-read the Psalms, which abound in beautiful prayers. Moreover, the spirit of prayer permeates these writings. On so many occasions, the plea goes up: “Hear my prayer, 0 God” or “Give ear unto my prayer” or “Hear my cry, 0 God”. These were men of like nature to ourselves, with similar weaknesses to ours, and in their time of need they really cast themselves upon the Lord, as they sought His guidance and His help. Perhaps it will also help and be a guide in learning how to pray if we remember that prayer is essentially “talking” with God —whether it be “uttered or unexpressed”. It has also been said that prayer is a communion or fellowship with God. An example of “how to pray” is that word of thankfulness (really a prayer) which wells up in our hearts (almost unbidden, it would seem) when realization comes of the goodness of God to us, in preserving us from trouble!

The hymn quoted above goes on —

“Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high”

The experience of the writer is that the greatest difficulty in approaching God in prayer is often our own human nature. There MUST be an earnest and sincere desire, but also a great humility, to come to God in prayer. Whether it be in seeking forgiveness for our sins: in expressing thanks: in praising God: in seeking strength and comfort (for ourselves or for others): or in asking God’s blessing upon some projected undertaking, it is not necessary to be fluent. The simple — perhaps stammering —words of the suppliant who comes to God are only the outward expression of the deeper feelings of the heart. Our Heavenly Father knows the depth of our prayers. The very act of praying to God SHOULD in itself draw us closer to Him.

We, above all others, should be a “people of prayer” and should remember that true prayer is an unselfish act. How often Paul in his letters to the brethren and sisters mentioned his prayers for them. James (ch. 5:16) exhorts: “Pray for one another”. At this initial issue of “The Believer”, the committee is well aware of the need that brethren and sisters everywhere should strengthen its hands, that its message may be a clarion call for greater dedication in these last days by each and everyone who has been called to the service of our loving and Gracious Heavenly Father.

BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.