ASPECTS OF PRAYER

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© Gods Breath Publications

 

Many years ago I attended a Christian Writer’s Conference at Mt. Hermon. Over 500 Christian authors, editors and publishers were in attendance seeking to learn how to serve God better using their creative writing talents. During this conference all of us had the opportunity to meet numerous fellow Christians. One Brother in Christ I met while eating dinner one evening was a handicapped young man by the name of Dan. As I talked with him I learned that he had lost his backpack in the transfer from the airport. He was very concerned about this and I would say even angry about the loss of his possessions. Included in the backpack were numerous personal items, medications and his billfold.

 

I could relate to Dan’s dilemma. I get rather testy myself when I lose or misplace something. I decided that I would pray for Dan. Each night as I went to bed I prayed that Dan’s backpack would be restored to him, intact and with every item present. As you know as well as I do, prayers are not answered according to our desires or timing, but by God’s will for our lives. Despite Dan’s extreme desire to be reunited with his backpack, it was not to happen during the conference. I learned later that my prayers were answered. Dan received his backpack with every item accounted for, but not until after the conference was over. Prayers are always answered, but we must trust that God’s will is the best outcome of prayer, even if we don’t always understand why God’s will is not our will.

 

God wants us to understand that we must trust Him for the answers of our prayers. He also desires that our prayers be frequent. Jerry Jenkins, co-author of the “Left Behind Book” series spoke at the conference. He shared that when he was interviewing Billy Graham about the book “Just As I Am.,” He asked him what set him apart from other evangelists and why God had blessed him with such a great ministry. Mr. Graham responded that he didn’t really understand why God had been so good to him. Mr. Graham admitted that there were better preachers than he. He went on to say that he had always been consistent at two things that he felt that Christ required of him as a believer. Jerry asked what these were. Mr. Graham replied that he always made sure that no matter where he was in the world that he read his Bible each day and prayed without ceasing. Jerry believed that it was possible to read your Bible everyday, but he wasn’t sure he could comprehend how you could pray without ceasing. Jerry, doubting that even Mr. Graham could pray without ceasing, asked him if he was praying while they were talking. Mr. Graham responded that yes he was. He was praying that this book that Jerry was writing would glorify God and lead more sinners to Christ. Jerry realized that to pray without ceasing is within our grasp. To pray without ceasing was to be obedient to the commands of Christ.

 

There is a good reason God requires us to pray without ceasing, because it touches the deepest parts of our souls. I returned home late at night from the conference. We said goodnight to my sister who was watching children. As we all prepared to hit the sheets, my son reminded me of the ritual that we had established for him going to bed. Even though we had been gone for the last five nights, my son Jeff wanted to be sure that I prayed with him before he went to bed. Why, because there’s something about prayer that soothes the soul. Prayer bonds us not only to God, but also to each other. I could sense the warm security my son felt as I prayed that God would care for him during the night.

 

What a comfort prayers can be. Prayer is a necessary part of our lives as God’s children. Prayers can only be answered if prayed. Prayers are best done frequently. Prayers minister to us in more ways than we can imagine. Prayer gets results. Prayer should be constant. Prayer touches our soul.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 

Matthew 6:9-13

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”