The Most Overlooked Privilege
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given His children, yet it is probably one of the most neglected. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been invited into the very presence of God. What an incredible privilege—to speak directly with the Creator of the universe and know that He hears us!
At the end of the Apostle Paul’s admonition to put on the whole armor of God, he concludes with instructions for our prayer life:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:18
Then the writer of Hebrews reminded us of the liberty we have been given to enter the throne room:
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 4:16
Jesus Himself taught us to pray and gave direct commands that carry wonderful promises:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7:7–8
Notice how these three passages fit together. Paul tells us to pray always. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we may come boldly. Then Jesus tells us exactly how to approach God: ask, seek, and knock. Prayer is not an occasional exercise reserved for difficult times. It is our very lifeline to God.
Heaven’s Invitation
I believe we would agree that spiritual warfare is more intense than ever before. As the battle increases, shouldn’t our praying increase as well? Greater adversity demands greater spiritual strength, and that strength is found only through prayer!
We were in a camp meeting this summer where small groups gathered across the property each day for prayer. One of the ladies felt led to pray for God to move in powerful and unusual ways. That prayer was answered, as many people said they had not seen the Lord move like that in many years. Oh, the privilege of prayer! As we travel across America, we are often asked, “Do people still gather around the altar to pray?” Sadly, in many churches, the altar is seldom used. In some cases, it has disappeared altogether. But as we draw nearer to the end, our need for prayer is greater—not less. This is no time to lose our burden for intercession.
Paul’s words, “praying always with all prayer,” carry tremendous meaning. He is speaking of every kind of prayer: corporate and private prayer, silent and verbal prayer, kneeling and walking prayer, and prayers of groaning and intercession. Prayer is as necessary to the spiritual man as breathing is to the natural man. Without prayer, there is no spiritual flourishing, no close communion with God, and no power for the battles we face.
One of Satan’s greatest victories is convincing believers that they can fight spiritual battles without a prayer life. We may possess knowledge of Scripture, faithfully attend church, and even appear spiritually mature. But without prayer, we attempt to fight God’s battles in our own strength. The armor of God was never intended to be worn without earnest prayer.
Persistent Prayer
No Bible example illustrates this better than the woman in Scripture whose daughter was grievously vexed with a devil. She came to Jesus desperately crying for mercy, but at first, Jesus answered her not a word. Many would have turned away in disappointment, assuming they had been rejected, yet she refused to quit praying. Then the disciples urged Jesus to send her away because her continual crying had become bothersome. Still, she would not stop. Instead, she drew even closer, fell before Him, and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
Jesus then tested her faith again by saying, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.” Oh, what faith she demonstrated! Rather than becoming offended or discouraged, she humbly replied, “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” She continued asking, seeking, knocking, and worshipping. Her faith would not allow her to walk away without her need being met. Then Jesus publicly commended her perseverance before everyone standing nearby: “O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.”
At that very hour, her daughter was completely delivered. Her victory did not come because the road was easy. It came because she refused to quit praying.
Prayer at Eternity’s Threshold
I was reminded of that truth by something that happened just this year. A dear friend of ours was visiting a hospital when she felt the Lord impress upon her heart to go into a particular patient’s room. Hospital staff told her it would do no good because the woman could neither see nor hear.
Our friend started down the hallway, but the Holy Ghost dealt with her heart to return and pray for that lady just as earnestly as she would have prayed for one of her own family members. She quietly walked back into the room, laid her hand upon the woman’s forehead, and began praying. Suddenly, the woman opened her eyes and said, “You don’t have to talk so loud.” Our friend immediately realized that God was working. She asked the dear lady if she had ever personally trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior. She replied, “No. I’ve heard about Jesus, but I’ve never had a personal relationship with Him.” Our friend then asked if she wanted to be saved. Her answer was, “Yes!” What followed was one of the sweetest miracles imaginable. That 107-year-old woman asked Jesus to be her Savior just before she stepped into eternity. Someone prayed, someone obeyed, and Heaven changed an eternal destination.
Is there a prodigal you’ve stopped praying for? A marriage you’ve given up on? A healing you’ve decided is impossible? Has the enemy whispered, “It won’t do any good to pray?” Please remember the words of Jesus once again: Ask. Seek. Knock. Don’t abandon the altar. Repair it. Return to it. Heaven still hears praying saints, and God still answers believing prayer.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
Ephesians 3:20
May we never overlook one of God’s greatest gifts to His children: the privilege of prayer!