THE BELIEVERS AND HIS PRAYER LIFE Part 2
- The Type of Prayers to Pray – James says that our praying is to be “effectual fervent.” These 2 words are the translation of a word that means, “to display one’s activity; to put forth power.” It simply means that we are to pray in faith and then put our legs on our prayers for God’s glory. We have a tendency to ask, then sit and wait. God’s plan is that we ask, thank Him for the answer that is coming, and then get up and live as though the prayer had already been answered!
In Bristol, England, George Mueller operated an orphanage for two thousand children. One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning. Mueller called his workers together and explained the situation. Two or three prayed. “Now that is sufficient,” he said. “Let us rise and praise God for prayer answered!” The next morning, they could not push open the great front door. So, they went out the back door and around the building to see what was keeping it shut. Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food. One of the workers later remarked, “We know Who sent the baskets, but we do not know who brought them!”)
I believe that these words are an encouragement to us to be fervent, or excited about our praying. We should pray with a zeal of soul and a burden of heart. Prayer should never be a humdrum undertaking.)
- The Type of Person Who Prays – James calls the effectual prayer a righteous man. This refers to a standard of life that reflects a commitment to God and His word and will. In other words, God has respect for the prayers of the holy. However, He does not hear the prayers of the sinful –
Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
Proverbs 1:28-33 (NKJV)
28 “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
1 John 3:22 (NKJV) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
John 15:7 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
If we are determined to be effective in prayer, then we must get our lives in line with God and His will for our lives.
- The Type of Power in Prayer – James tells us that proper and God-honoring prayer “availeth much.” This simply means to “put forth much more than was expected.” When we pray in faith, it unlocks the great potential of God to work in our world. God honors the praying of His people because His people praying honors Him!
John Newton had received from the Lord some almost unbelievable answers to his petitions, and so he often engaged in “large asking.” In support of this practice, he would frequently tell the story of a man who asked Alexander the Great to give him a huge sum of money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The ruler consented and told him to request of his treasurer whatever he wanted. So, he went and asked for an enormous amount. The keeper of the funds was startled and said he could not give him that much without a direct order. Going to Alexander, the treasurer argued that even a small fraction of the money requested would more than serve the purpose. “No,” replied Alexander, “let him have it all. I like that fellow. He does me honor. He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks that he believes me to be both rich and generous.” Newton concluded the story by saying, “In the same way, we should go to the throne of God’s grace and present petitions that express honorable views of the love, riches, and bounty of our King!”)
A missionary family in Africa years ago had 2 small children. The second being born after they arrived on the mission field. The youngest was sickly and needed much care. It had to be wrapped in blankets most of the time to ensure that it stayed warm enough. The mother was heard to say, over and over, “I wish we had a hot water bottle.” Her thinking was that a hot water bottle, she could place it next to the child and provide it with some heat. After a few weeks, a package arrived from England. In that package were several items that were sent to the family anonymously to help them in their new location. Among the items, there was a hot water bottle. The mother thanked God, but couldn’t recall having prayed for it. As the last of the items were taken out of the box, the oldest child came to her mother and said, “Where’s my new baby doll?” Her mother responded, “There isn’t a doll in here.” The little girl asked them to look again, and when they did, under all the packing material was a little, new baby doll. The mother asked the girl how she knew there was a doll in there. She said, “Well when I asked God to send a hot water bottle for the baby, I asked Him to send me a dolly.” This story becomes even more remarkable when we stop to consider that this package had to travel to Africa first by ship, then by pack animals until it reached the family. It began its journey some 6 months before the baby had been born and before the little girl had ever begun to pray for those things! What a God we serve!)
