It has often been said that "prayer moves the arm of Him who moves the universe." Prayer is an expression of dependence upon God. A prayerless Christian might be called an independent Christian, and independence of God is synonymous with the slavery of Satan. Thus, a prayerless Christian is in a most perilous condition and is sure to bring dishonor upon God.
The divine path for the child of God is altogether opposed to man's intelligence, and it is only as we are dependent upon God that we can go on in that path. The world seeks to ensnare us by its charms and allurements. "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." Gal. 5:1717For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17). "The devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet. 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8). Are we stronger than the world, the flesh, or the devil? Even Christians may seek to draw us aside. Under the plea of liberal-mindedness they may strive to widen the narrow path God has set our feet in. They think that by widening the path Christianity will become more popular and serviceable.
Beloved, it is only as we are dependent upon God, learning His will, and abiding therein, that we can glorify Christ in a world which rejected Him. We are not called to be earthly saints, but heavenly, even as we are heavenly (1 Cor. 15:4848As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:48)).
So in this day, when Satan is arraying his deadly forces against the reproduction on earth of a Christ in glory, and even getting Christians unwittingly on his side, we have the more urgent need of private and public prayer. When the professed leaders of Christianity are giving up the truth and reducing God to the level of man, as in Psalm 50:2121These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (Psalm 50:21): "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself," and when their followers applaud and endorse all this, it does indeed behoove us to pay attention to prayer, that we may be kept.
Prayer occupies a very large place in the Scriptures. We read, "Pray without ceasing" and "continuing instant in prayer" (1 Thess. 5:1717Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17); Rom. 12:1212Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Romans 12:12)). It is only as we in prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let our requests be made unto God, that the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6, 76Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6‑7)). It is a marvelous thing that, amid all the violent heavings and surgings of this poor world, whether politically, religiously, socially, or domestically, we can, through prayer, have this wonderful peace "which passeth all understanding." We have an exhortation in 1 Tim. 2:1-41I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1‑4) which, I believe, is largely neglected by God's children. Paul says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty," etc. May we all give more earnest heed to it. Exhortations to prayer might easily be multiplied, but space forbids.
The blessed Lord Jesus Christ when here on earth was a perfect example to us. He was the truly dependent One, and we find Him marked by prayer. "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone." Matt. 14:2323And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23). "And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed. " Luke 5:1616And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (Luke 5:16). In John 17:99I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. (John 17:9) Jesus says of His disciples, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me." We have only to read through the gospels to see how often, even all night, our blessed Master prayed.
The Apostle Paul, whom the Holy Spirit puts forth as a pattern saint, was a man of prayer. One of the many examples of this is 1 Thess. 3:9, 109For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:9‑10): "For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?"
The early Christians, as seen in The Acts of the Apostles, were characterized by prayer. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship; and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:41, 4241Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:41‑42).
In Acts 12, we find that when Peter was cast into prison "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Then when God answered them, and Rhoda told the praying company that Peter was at the gate, they said to her, "Thou art mad." When she pressed it upon them, they admitted that it might be his angel. Finally, when the gate opened and they saw him, "they were astonished." What a sad tale of unbelief it is when we so little look for an answer to prayer, that we are astonished when it comes, and call it "a remarkable answer."
Surely, the lack of private and public prayer gives a key to our weakness, both individual and collective. For proof of this, see the principle brought out by Christ in Mark 9:2929And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:29): "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting."
In conclusion, I would like to give you an example of prayer found in 1 Kings 18:41-4641And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:41‑46). In the first verse of this chapter we find that God told Elijah that He was going to send rain upon the earth. Many Christians throw their responsibilities and privileges overboard because of God's sovereignty. God in His sovereignty was about to bless Israel, to remove the curse that had for so long dried up her streams and turned the country "flowing with milk and honey" into an arid wilderness. The prophet might have said, Why should I pray, when God has told me that He is going to send the rain? But not so; he went to Mount Carmel-a place of expectancy-from whence he could scan the whole seaward horizon. Then "He cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees." While he looked up for the blessing, he sent his servant seven times-perfection of expectancy-to look out for the blessing. On returning the seventh time, the servant reported, "Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand." Many might think that was a poor and insignificant answer to prayer, but not Elijah. He sent a message of urgent haste to Ahab-"Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not." Now comes the triumphant answer to the prayer of faith. God's mighty hand is in that little cloud. "And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain."
Would that we were more like Elijah-in the current of God's thoughts, in earnest prayer about what concerns Him and His interests. May we all be stirred up to more public and private prayer, not only about our interests and needs, but also about God's interests and the sinner's needs. There is ample room and urgent necessity for continual earnest prayer to Him that is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think.