Jesus explicitly taught His disciples "that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Jesus prayed often (e.g., Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Matt 26:39). Paul commanded, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17) Scripture repeatedly urges and commands prayer.
I read this stuff and I think, "What about me? How is my prayer life?" I think about our society today where it's ... not kosher to pray in public. I grew up in a culture where my family would routinely pray in a restaurant, for instance. The public didn't mind. Fast forward to today and it's frowned on, mocked, and ridiculed. And then I think of Daniel. In Persia, Daniel's enemies sought to accuse him, so they tricked King Darius into passing a law against praying to anyone but the king (Dan 6:1-9). Here's the thing ... Daniel knew it (Dan 6:10). So ... what did he do? He went to his roof chamber with windows opened and prayed ... openly, "as he had been doing previously." The State illegally banned praying in schools ("Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof") and we caved. We decided to pray in private, out of sight, doors closed. "Well, maybe that's pointless. Let's just ... pray less. Okay ... maybe very little." It sounds similar to Daniel's situation ... except for one thing. Daniel continued to pray "as he had been doing previously." Were we?
Prayer is recommended, urged, commanded. The God of universe asks His people to ... talk to Him, to "let your requests be made known to God" (Php 4:6-7). He sends His Holy Spirit to assist us in praying (Rom 8:26-27). He promises blessings ... and, too often, instead of bowing in prayer, we bow out of praying. Will we be "Daniels" and pray boldly, or just be disobedient?
1 comment:
I wonder how many people could be brought to Christ if they simply saw how involved Christians were in talking with the God we claim to love.
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