Selected Scriptures
Ps Paul Cheng
“…prayer cannot be detached from God’s Word…”
~8 min read
Prayer is the means by which the believer communicates with God and knows Him intimately. Throughout the Bible, we have the command not only to pray (cf. Luke 18:1, Matthew 6:9; 26:41), but also to pray at all times (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is God’s appointed means whereby we receive what we ask of Him. Question 98 of Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us, “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.”
The truth is that prayer cannot be detached from God’s Word. Without the Word, there would be no commands to pray, no assurances that our prayers would be heard and no teachings on how we ought to pray. Without a proper understanding of prayer according to God’s Word, our so-called prayers would be like the ritualistic practices and vain repetitions of the pagan religions. Conversely, God’s Word makes us realise the importance, basis and biblical manner of prayer, as well as the hindrances to it.
I. Importance Of Prayer
Prayer is extremely vital because it is necessary to the salvation of the Christian (cf. Romans 10:9). No man or woman should expect to be saved if he or she does not pray. Yes, salvation is by grace through faith, but nowhere in the Bible is it stated that a man can have salvation without “asking” for it. No man can receive the pardon of his sins unless he lifts up his heart and prays.
Assuredly, the important part prayer plays in the Christian ministry is highlighted throughout Scripture. In the Acts of the Apostles, there was recorded for us the amazing growth of the early church (Acts 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7), which later extended beyond Jerusalem unto the regions of Samaria, Syria and Asia Minor (Acts 8 onwards). Farther and farther the Gospel message had spread, so much “so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10). This exponential church growth can be traced to a humble prayer meeting in an upper room, where the disciples had assembled together and “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:13-14). Had these not waited upon God according to the Lord’s Word, the New Testament church (which began with 11 frightened disciples assembling behind closed doors for fear of the Jews) could not have become a powerful witness which “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6)!
This preoccupation with prayer was further evident in the apostles’ administration of the church. In Acts 6, there was a situation in which the Grecians murmured against the Hebrews “because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration”. The apostles had many duties and one of their primary responsibilities was to preach the Word of God, thus they were unable to effectively care for the needs of all the widows. Upon exhorting the brethren to look out for “seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” whom they may appoint to minister to the widows, the apostles gave themselves “continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:1-4). Such is the overriding importance attached, and hence top priority given, to prayer in the ministry of the church.
Throughout Scripture, we have ample instances of praying men, the supreme example being the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ knows the Father and is known of the Father perfectly, yet the Son of God is a man of prayer (cf. Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23). If prayer is indispensable in Jesus’ earthly ministry, what more in ours? If we are prayerless, are we not proudly exclaiming that we are better than the early church brethren, the apostles and ultimately the Lord Jesus Christ, in that they all took time to commune with the heavenly Father while we do not?
II. Basis Of Prayer
The only way we can go to the Father in prayer is through the Son, Jesus Christ. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, … Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Grace refers to God’s undeserved and unmerited favour, love and forgiveness that free sinners from the consequences of sin. Mercy shows God’s forbearance in not inflicting punishment on the lawbreaker; it frees sinners not only from the consequences of sin, but also from the miseries that accompany it. Surely, we need the grace and mercy of God! But on what basis can sinful men and women “come boldly unto the throne of grace” into the presence of a perfectly righteous and holy God? Certainly not on the basis of our own merit and goodness, but “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
As our Substitute in obeying all the law on man’s behalf, Christ has earned the righteousness for us. As the Great High Priest in laying down His life, He suffered the punishment on our behalf as the only ransom that can satisfy the demands of God’s law and justice, for “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). As God’s blood-bought children, we stand before God in Christ, “by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand” (Romans 5:2).
It is thus in Christ’s name that we can be saved, and now draw nigh to God with boldness and pray with confidence. Christ is our Advocate and Intercessor, who is ever willing to present the prayers of those who call upon Him, that their prayers may ascend unto the throne of God as a sweet savour. Indeed, the stuttering prayer of a poor Christian is a weak thing in itself, but once it is led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:26) and endorsed by the hand of the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), it becomes mighty and powerful.
III. Hindrances To Prayer
The obvious reason why many Christians are powerless and ineffective is because of their neglect of prayer – “ye have not, because ye ask not” (James 4:2b). We are powerless because we are prayerless! Very often, we do not have the things that we earnestly desire and need, simply because we do not ask. Having said that, our prayers can still be hindered due to several reasons:
Wrong Motives — We may pray but still not obtain what we have prayed for because we “ask amiss” (James 4:3a). Admittedly, what hinders our prayers is that we ask for things with the wrong motives, for self-promotion or for lustful gratification, “that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3b). To be sure, our desires may be strong and we may even resort to extreme measures, as indicated by the phrase, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war” (James 4:2a). Yet all would be futile if we pray amiss. Why do we pray for an increase in church attendance or for more ministries to be established? Are we obsessed with the numbers game? Asking God out of selfish reasons will cause our prayers to go out of alignment with God’s will. The supreme motive for our prayers should be that God be glorified (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Unrepented Known Sin — Sins in our lives must be confessed and repented of, otherwise God will not hear our prayers. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). Our devotions, service, church attendance and even doctrinally sound theology will not make any difference to our prayers if we have known sin that is not forsaken. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13a). Sin always brings with it consequences, as the prophet Jeremiah had (without mincing his words) declared, “Your iniquities have turned away these things (that is, rain and harvest), and your sins have withheld good things from you” (Jeremiah 5:25). We must constantly examine ourselves lest when our prayers are not heard, we become fretful and blame God, and finally stop praying altogether. Unmistakably, sin in our life will choke the channel through which God answers our prayers (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2).
Unforgiving Spirit — We know in the light of Mark 11:24-26 that an unforgiving spirit will definitely hinder our prayers. We are forgiven sinners, but God cannot deal with us as forgiven sinners if we are not forgiving towards those who have sinned against us. How many estranged church leaders have prayed for unity and harmony in the church but deep down in their hearts, they are unwilling to resolve their differences? How many husbands and wives have prayed for reconciliation in their married life but in the innermost recesses of their hearts, they are unwilling to forgive the other party? It goes without saying that their prayers will be hindered!
IV. Biblical Manner Of Prayer
Jesus assured His disciples that “whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). To pray in Jesus’ name is not a magical formula that obligates God to answer our selfish requests. Rather, it is to make our requests consistent with His will (1 John 5:15). God’s will is revealed through His Word (cf. Galatians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-15; 4:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18), and He makes His will clear to those who seek it with an obedient heart. God has given to the believers the indwelling Holy Spirit, who will guide us to pray according to His will (cf. Romans 8:26-27).
It is vital that Christ’s words abide in us, so that we may pray in accordance with His truth (John 15:7). This can only happen if we abide in Him by studying and obeying His commandments diligently (John 15:10). Thus, the Apostle John said, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22). God’s promise to answer prayers is made to those who diligently study and obey His Word.
V. Conclusion
Prayer plays a primary and essential role in the ministry of the church and in the life of the believer. Without prayer, we would become self-reliant, self-confident, presumptuous and proud. When we do not pray, it is like telling God that we do not sense our need for Him. Without the Word of God, we will never be able to understand anything about prayer. Praise be to God who has preserved for us His infallible, inerrant Word that we may understand and pray in a manner glorifying to His name. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
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