Why don’t people pray?
If prayer works so well, why are we not all in a daily prayer meeting? If prayer works so well, why is our personal prayer life anemic? If prayer is so effective, why is prayer the smallest ministry in a church? We love to sing, we love to worship, but prayer meetings…we just can’t find time.
What is the purpose of prayer? If God is sovereign, why pray?
Proverbs 19:21 says, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand.” In other words, God is more concerned about His purpose than He is our plans. And what is His purpose? To grow His kingdom – and He does this through His redeemed people.
Look around you today. Is God’s kingdom growing or does it appear that Satan’s kingdom is growing? Which kingdom is influencing society at the moment? Think about the school your child attends, do you see the evidence of God’s kingdom governing it or Satan’s? Think about media and entertainment. Do you see evidence of God’s kingdom influencing the younger generation or Satan’s? Reflect on other areas of society and ask yourself these questions. Even though we know the Lord prevails over all, it appears that the evidence of God’s kingdom is being overshadowed by the evidence of wickedness in today’s culture. Why do you think that is?
It is due to our lack of fervent, steadfast prayer.
Prayer is not a fly by night activity, something we fit into our busy schedules. Prayer is a sacred duty that should get the best of our time, the devotion of our heart and all of our strength. Through prayer, we stand in the gap, between God and a world that needs Him. The supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit burns through our clay vessels, speaking heavenly cries that give birth to kingdom response.
E.M. Bounds, a Methodist minister and Civil War chaplain, said, “What the Church needs today is not more machinery…not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer.”
Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings Him into active aid. Being His redeemed people, we have the access and authority, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to call heaven into action upon the earth, through a devoted prayer life. Talking to people is one thing, talking with God is quite another, because He shapes the world by prayer. It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God. - E.M. Bounds.
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus said, “And when you pray…” He didn’t say if you pray. When implies “you will do this, I expect you to do this, and it’s natural to do this.” We need to shift our mindset when it comes to prayer. We are His vessels on earth to influence this place with His kingdom. There is no greater ministry, or resource, to bring kingdom authority to earth, than prayer. The influence of God’s kingdom will be seen and felt when the body of Christ – as a whole – learns to unite and become a people of prayer.
God Bless You Today!
The Team at JCM
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