Do You Pray?

"MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY" -Luke 18:1

About a year and a half ago I was recommended a book by J.C. Ryle titled "A CALL TO PRAYER"; it looked like nothing more than a typical little pamphlet (in fact it was only 30 pages) on praying, what I soon discovered was that it was a rich exhoration from a Godly man. I remembered the book yet after reading it once failed to ever look at it again, I think I may have even written a blog after reading it a long while ago, but I recently stumbled upon it once more and what I found once again was more exhortation and more encouragement from Ryle that I couldn't help but share with each of you! My prayer is that you might be encouraged to pick the little book up, it is but a couple dollars, and find the deep treasures inside.

He starts off simple by begging the question DO YOU PRAY? Why would he ask such a question in a book that is intended for the "Christian" I remember thinking, I mean come'on obviously I pray. And yet he quickly reminds the reader that "it is one thing to say your prayers and another to pray"...that is where the conviction began. The following are reasons he begs the question, there are many included in the small book but I picked the four that stood out the most to me...

1. A HABIT of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian
"It is as much a part of their new nature to pray, as it is of a child to cry. They see their need of mercy and grace. They feel their emptiness and weakness. They cannot do otherwise than they do. They MUST pray."
Looking throughout Scripture at the lives of Godly men and women you find that they had a devotion to prayer, it was a big part of their lives; even present day missionaries, or men of the church were prayer warriors. If someone is not praying how is he communing with God? How can He be saved? How can he be feeling brokeness of sin? How can he be thanking God for His mercy and provision? A habit of prayer identifies a Christian!

2. There is no duty more NEGLECTED than prayer
"It is one of those private transactions between God and our souls which no eye sees, and therefore one which men are tempted to pass over and leave undone."
Millions of people of all time have never uttered a word of prayer to the creator of all, they simply don't talk to Him and selfishly live their lives wrapped up completely in themselves. Yet for even those who claim to "pray" they are not really praying, it is but a form, repetition of words where no heart is involved. True prayer is not natural to anyone. It is impossible for sin and prayer to live in a man's heart.

3. Prayer is an act with great ENCOURAGEMENT
"There is a way by which any man, however sinful and unworthy, may draw near to God the Father. Jesus Christ has opened that way by the sacrifice He made for us upon the cross."
Jesus is our intercessor, He is the one presenting our prayers to God! Our prayer is His delight! The Spirit is in our hearts, as believers, and giving us the words to say in that prayer, HE is giving us grace and supplication. Ryle explains that there are promises, precious promises for those who pray, look at Matthew 7 "Ask in prayer BELIEVING and you shall receive". And all throughout Scripture we see the power of that prayer, what a hope!

4. Diligence in prayer is the secret of eminent HOLINESS
"They are all fighting the same good fight; but how much more valiantly some fight than others. They are all doing the Lord's work; but how much more some do than others. They are all light in the Lord; but how much more brightly some shine than others. They are all running the same reace; but how much faster some get on than others. They arll love the same Lord and Savior; but how much more some love Him than others."
Pursuing holiness involves prayer...and alot of it! We look around and see those that run hard and fast and we wonder what their secret of holiness may be, it begins at the throne room of God!

So for those of us who DO pray be encouraged and remember to...
*Come in reverence and humility- Ecclesiastes 5:2
*Pray spiritually- asking the Spirit to help
*Make it a regular part of life
*Have Perseverence- Colossians 4:2, 1 Thess 5:17
*Earnestness in Prayer- James 5:16
*Praying with Faith- Mark 11:42- "We should endeavor to believe that our prayers are heard and if asked according to God's will, will be answered!"
*Boldness- with a spirit of confidence
*With Fullness- we are not likely to err on praying too much, Ps 81:10- "Open they mouth wide and I will fill it"
*Specifically/Particularity- Be specific in what you pray for/about
*Intercede- don't be selfish in your prayer
*Be thankful- All of Scripture gives us the example of thankfulness going hand in hand with petition in prayer
*Watchful over prayers- It is the spiritual "pulse"

So let us pray, and pray, and pray some more and remember the God who holds it all in His hands hears your prayers!