Concerning Prayer

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: Concerning Prayer | Feb 1967

In the Scriptures we read, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4.31). Spiritual reviving was the result of united prayer, and this has been the experience of believers oftentimes. Yet on the other hand, we have all had experience of prayer meetings which do not seem to have resulted in revival and spiritual power, and it is right for us to search the cause of this. We do not wish to carry on a form of prayer which seems to bring no power or fruitfulness.

We remember that God rebuked His people, Israel, though they professed to seek Him daily, and to delight to know His ways. They professed that they delighted to draw near to God, and they fasted and afflicted their souls (Isaiah 58.1-2). There was no doubt about their earnestness in prayer, but it was all to no avail, because they were wrong with each other, and therefore they were wrong with God. This chapter in Isaiah is worthy of careful thought. When we seek God earnestly in prayer, then we must be right with each other, before God will hear us. Division in heart among disciples is a mighty hindrance to prayer, and no amount of earnestness will overcome it.

On the other hand, we have the precious promise of the Lord Jesus, "If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18.19). The prayer of two, who are agreed, is more effective than the prayer of twenty who are divided in heart.

In Isaiah 59 the LORD assured His people that His hand was not shortened that He could not save, nor was His ear heavy that He could not hear. It was their sins that hid His face, and He would not hear. In verse 12, we read that they knew their sins, they were not ignorant of them. But they thought that prayer and fasting would prevail above these. They little realized the holiness of God. We can learn from their failure.

"The LORD looketh on the heart," said Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 16.7). Let us not rush into prayer. Let us quieten our hearts, and if there is anything unworthy there, or any uncleanness, or any bitterness, or any grudge, then let us put that right first. Otherwise the Lord will not hear, even though we fast with our praying, and bow ourselves down like a rush. "Search me, O God," said David (Psalm 139.23). Effective prayer calls for heart-searching, and if we refuse to have this heart-searching, then our prayers will remain unanswered, no matter how much we pray, nor how earnest we are. The Scriptures are abundantly plain on that. It is the lifting up of holy hands that is effective with God, and holy hands are the hands of holy men (1 Timothy 2.8).

But when we are right with God, and with each other, what a great door is open to us by prayer! "Ask, and it shall be given you," said the Lord Jesus. "Every one that asketh receiveth" (Matthew 7.7-8). Nor is there any limit set to it, for Paul assures us that God "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3.20). This, of course, is not an open promise to every desire of our hearts, but to the desires that are according to the will of God (1 John 5.14). It is Spirit-led prayer that is effective. To have Spirit-led prayer we must be Spirit-led men and women. We do not suddenly become spiritually minded at the prayer meeting. It is what we are in secret that counts with God.

Then, also, faith is a very important thing in prayer. We receive according to our faith ~ark 11.24). If we doubt the wisdom and the faithfulness of God, we will receive nothing. So, in effect, does the apostle James tell us (1.7-8). To doubt is to be double-minded. Long prayers will not make up for lack of faith. God is the faithful God, and we should trust Him implicitly to do what is right. We may err in what we ask, but He will not err in what He gives. The closer we walk with Him, so much the more will we know His perfect will, and so much the more will we be able to ask in faith.

The whole of the will of God is open to us, when we are right with God, and with each other, and when we ask in faith. And the will of God is good, and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12.2). What a vast field there is in which spiritual men and women can delight! The thoughts and ways of God are as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55.9). Prayer that comes only from our own desires is earthbound, and generally it rotates about ourselves and our friends. But prayer that is Spirit-led, according to the will of God, leads us onward in the service of God. Like Ezekiel (3.12), we are borne upwards to know something of the glory of the LORD.

Prayer should be mingled with supplication, that is the bending low of our spirits. We must guard against the tendency to preach while we are praying. This is irreverent. We must address our words to the Most High, and not to our fellows. Nor should we use the tone of the lecturer, as though we were giving an address from the Scriptures. This is not prayer. If we read the great prayers of the Scriptures, we shall see the great reverence with which they addressed the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens. We can read the prayer of Solomon (2 Chronicles 6); the prayer of the remnant returned from Babylon (Nehemiah 9); the prayer of Daniel (chapter 9); the prayer of the Lord Himself (John 17); and the prayer of Paul (Ephesians 3). Let our words be addressed to God only, and let us guard against wordiness. Let our tone be that of the suppliant, and let all that we say be mingled with thanksgiving and praise, for God's love to us has been wonderful, and His way is perfect.

To repeat what we have already written, we should notice the special promise that is held out to the prayer of two who are agreed in what they ask (Matthew 18.19). This is not the prayer of the church, but the prayer of even two, brethren or sisters. What a field this promise opens to us! Let us go in and possess it! There is no separatism here, for two who pray alone, with the Lord's presence, in this way, will surely be with the church as it meets in united prayer and supplication.

And then, how necessary is the Amen from united hearts; "And all the people shall answer and say, Amen" (Deuteronomy 27.15). When the Amen is lacking, it shows that there is little or no real unity of heart in prayer. When it is so, then one of the most essential elements of effective prayer is lacking, and what hope is there of revival or power?

Let us then appreciate the great door that is open to us for divine blessing and fulness. Let us ponder afresh Paul's words in Ephesians 3. l4-2l. We close as he did, "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, unto Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen."

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Feb 1967
Concerning Prayer