Originally Published by the Baptist Standard: https://www.baptiststandard.com/opinion/other-opinions/commentary-the-significance-of-prayer-for-believers/
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17)
Christians serve an active Creator who answers the prayers of his sheep. Of importance is the realization that God’s plan endures. While believers are called to proclaim their anxieties, desires, praises and pleas to the Lord, God determines the best course of action in every situation.
Those in Christ remain in awe at the power of prayer, as Christians continue to be transformed by the Lord and find the solitude and comfort he supplies through such actions as prayer.
Reformers’ prayer life
Scottish Reformer John Knox lived a faithful prayer life, one which should encourage everyone today. Known in history for his ongoing feud with Mary, Queen of Scots, Knox, a former student of Calvin, lived by his supplications to the Lord—a concept that made Mary tremble.
Brian G. Najapfour, in The Collected Prayers of John Knox, shares an account: “On one occasion, he [Knox] prayed, “Give me Scotland or I die; and the queen said: I fear the prayer of John Knox more than the combined armies [of Europe]” (p. 1).
A commonality encompassed the prayers of the early Reformers. Throughout Europe, the Reformers faced imprisonment and death. Prayers provided guidance, encouragement and hope.
Najapfour adds: “Troubles, then, should not become an excuse for not praying, but rather an encouragement to pray. … For Knox, therefore, what matters most is our obedience to God, which is expressed when we pray to him” (p. xlix).
Puritan John Bunyan defined prayer: “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to his word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God” (Prayer, p. 13).
The focus of prayer is on God, submitting to his majesty while praising him in thankfulness and marveling at his grace and righteousness.
It is important to focus prayers on the Lord, his will and his church. While mankind undoubtedly needs personal prayers in times of uncertainty, trouble, illness and struggle, prayers also should focus on the salvation and redemption of souls.
Christ’s role in prayer
Comforting to the soul is knowing prayers are through Christ and aided by the Holy Spirit. Often neglected is the reality the Holy Spirit guides our lives and prayers (John 14:16-17). Like Bunyan, J.C. Ryle, placed an emphasis on Christ’s role in prayers:
By themselves, our prayers are poor and weak. But in Jesus’ hand, they are mighty and powerful. He is our high priest and our elder brother. … Once they [prayers] are in the hand of our Lord Jesus, they have value and can achieve great things. … Jesus’ door is always open to every single person who calls on him for mercy and grace. Helping believers is his particular role, and their prayers are his delight (Do You Pray, p. 24).
The love of Christ is enduring and always provides hope in a fallen world. Everyone faces trials and tribulations.
Charles Spurgeon taught: “Ah sinner, when you cry to God, you give him an opportunity to do that which he loves most to do! He delights to forgive” (The Power of Prayer, p. 23). “True prayer is the trading of the heart with God” (The Power of Prayer, p. 25).
Prayers lifted to the Lord always supply the confidence needed to bear such dark days. Illness, depression and all of life’s troubles are no obstacles for the Lord.
While afflictions are difficult to comprehend, the Lord will see his sheep through these days, providing consolation in a manner only believers know so personally. The tranquility of knowing you are not alone encourages those in Christ to cry out even more to God in praise and thanksgiving.
Posture in prayer
Though prayer does not need to be complicated, we should handle it with care and perform it with reverence.
Supplications can be short or long, but always should be personal, pleading your need for guidance in this fallen world.
As believers, we have no excuse; we have great examples in the Lord, figures in Scripture and faithful servants in history who paved the way for us, sharing their struggles and lessons in prayer.
May we not forget the Lord’s words:
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask him” (Matthew 6:5-8).
