Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time, the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.” That leads us to an important question.
How often do you pray? In 2014, the Pew Research Group told us 55% of all Americans pray daily. In the same study, they reported 21% say they pray weekly or monthly. 23% of Americans say they seldom or never pray. I am happy to report I am in the 55% who pray daily. As a matter of fact, I pray more than once a day because I need God. Let me state the obvious. In the Christian faith, prayer is vital. The great reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” I wrote this blog to help you pray more effectively. That takes us to our scripture reading.
We find ourselves in the twelfth chapter of Acts, verses one through twelve. According to the text, King Herod (c. 72 BCE – 4 c. BCE) is on the throne. That was bad news for the early church because he is still practicing Christian persecution. Verse two is hard to read two thousand years later. It tells us James, the brother of John, had been put to death. His end was not pretty. He died as John the Baptist died, by the sword. I find verse three to be disturbing. The Jews were pleased at his death and longed for more blood. This time, the victim will be Peter himself. Like Jesus, he was arrested during the Passover and is watched by a surplus of guards. His outcome was predictable, except for one thing. In verse five, we are told the church begins to pray for him and the miraculous happens. An angel appears in his prison cell and helps him to escape. Isn’t it great when our prayers are answered, “Yes!” That is not the only story. There are many stories when God answered, “Yes!”
Dr. Helen Roseveare (1925-2016) was a missionary in Zaire, Africa. A mother at her mission station died shortly after giving birth to a premature baby. They tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle they had was beyond repair. So, she asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls prayed, “Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.” That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as it was opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately, the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, “If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!” And she was right! The doll was in the bottom of the trunk. Isn’t it great when God answers our prayers, “Yes?” Wouldn’t it be nice if our prayers were always answered with a, yes? This is the truth. Experience has taught me sometimes God’s answer is no.
It was on a Sunday evening years ago. The plan was to bring a terminally ill woman to the altar for prayer. The medical world said there was no hope. She came to the church that evening by the nursing home’s van. When she arrived, the sanctuary lights were dimmed, and the candles were lit. The congregation who had assembled was ready for the miraculous. After the healing scriptures were read, she was surrounded by the most important people in her life. We laid hands on her, and I placed oil on her forehead to intensify our prayers. One by one, we all prayed for her. Filled with emotion, each word was genuine. When we said the Lord’s Prayer, the Holy Spirit washed over us. Emotionally and spiritually exhausted, the woman was placed back into her wheelchair and directed back to the van. With few words spoken, we watched her being driven out of the parking lot. That evening we boldly prayed for a complete healing, but it never came. A short time later, the same group gathered for her funeral. Sometimes our prayers are answered, “No!” Sometimes our prayers are answered, “Later”.
One of the great privileges I had in the ministry was praying with people. I prayed with people all the time and in various locations. I have prayed with people in my office and in the parlor. I have prayed with people at the altar and in their homes. I have prayed with people in the hospital. Several years ago, I was talking to a man who began complaining about something that happened years ago. He told me the story in detail. As I listened, I realized all the characters in his story were dead! He was mad at dead people. I said to him, “They may be dead, but they still have power over you! Look how upset you are! You need to pray!” He responded, “I don’t pray.” I said, “You do today!” And in the middle of the parking lot, I grabbed his hand, and we prayed that God would heal his damaged emotions. This is my question for you today.
What makes prayer effective? Many seem to believe effective prayer is always getting what you want. They pray for the terminally ill person, and they are healed. They pray for the winning lottery numbers, and they are drawn. They pray for the missing family pet, and they are returned. They pray for their favorite team, and they win. They pray for a new love, and one suddenly appears. Is that your definition of effective prayer? To God, effective prayer cultivates a relationship with God. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was not a Christian, but he saw the value of prayer. He once said, “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is a longing for the soul…It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than to have words without heart.” You know it is true. Many of our prayers sound like a wish list for a rich uncle. Never forget it. When you pray, you are speaking to God, the creator of the universe. That reminder should change your prayer life. In comparison to God, we are nothing. In this blog, I want to help you improve your prayer life by reminding you of three things.
First, effective prayer praises God! In our scripture lesson, we were simply told the church prayed for Peter. Their prayer is not quoted, and no details are given. However, the early church was mindful of the fact that God was worthy of their praise. The one thing that united them was the resurrection of Jesus. If you have the power to bring a dead man back to life, then you have the power to do anything. Factor in this next statement. This all-powerful God wanted to have a relationship with them, and He wants to have a relationship you. If you let that divine truth sink into your heart, then you will be humbled. Does your prayer life include praise?
One of my favorite Bible stories is the transfiguration. It is found in all three of the synoptic Gospels: Mark 9:2-13, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-36. Peter had just stated for the first time that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. That announcement changed everything. Jesus took the inner circle, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, to the top of the mountain to pray. They had no clue what was about to happen. Without warning, Jesus is transfigured. In other words, he begins to glow. Then, Moses and Elijah suddenly appear. Moses was the great law giver and Elijah was considered the greatest of the prophets. (They must have been wearing name tags for the disciples to recognize them.) Then God showed up covered by a cloud. He tells everyone Jesus is his son. “Listen to him!” The disciples are blown away. You cannot blame them. They had just experienced God, firsthand. When you pray, you are talking to God, the great and mighty one, one on one. God desires to be praised. (Hebrews 13:15) Effective prayer praises God!
Second, effective prayer obeys God! What you say is important. What you do is equally important. We are only in this world for a short time. We are going to be in heaven for eternity. Are you practicing today what you will be doing in heaven for eternity? How obedient are you to God? Jesus isn’t just your Savior. Jesus is also your Lord.
One of the great mysteries in life is discerning God’s will. Have you ever wondered what God wants you to do? I am convinced most of the time we know, but we just refuse to do it. We know we are to love everyone, but we only tolerate people who are just like us. We know we are to forgive, but we remember. We know that we are to sacrifice for others, but we save the best for ourselves. We know that we are to tithe (10%) but we give about 2%. We know we are to love God completely, but we only come to church when it is convenient. It is a matter of obedience. Effective prayer praises and obeys God!
Third, effective prayer trusts God! Sometime God answers, “No!” That means that your will and God’s will are running in opposite directions. Have you ever been mad at God because He didn’t listen to your advice? If so, then you are extremely arrogant and not very trusting. In prayer, we are cultivating a relationship with God. Do you have a good relationship with God, or do you have some work to do? It is a matter of trust.
In 1962, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch was published. It is considered one of the most significant works to emerge from Soviet Russia. It is set in a Soviet labor camp and focuses on a single day of one prisoner, Ivan Denisovitch. In one scene, he is praying with his eyes closed when a fellow prisoner notices him, and says with ridicule, “Prayers won’t help you get out of here any faster.” Opening his eyes, Ivan answers, “I do not pray to get out of prison, but to do the will of God.” Effective prayer praises, obeys and trusts God!
On April 13, 2021, I was in Chicago. My daughter Anna was married a few days earlier, and my wife and I were escaping the post wedding blues. We were excited about visiting the “Windy City.” We had a list of things we wanted to see. However, we never saw a single thing. Instead, I had emergency surgery at Northwestern Medical Center. That surgery triggered the longest months of my life. Complications set in. A friend had to drive to Chicago to take us home. A few days later, I was taken to Mercy Health Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. They transferred me to the Cleveland Clinic. When I was released ten days later in early May, my recovery was slow. My wife gave me excellent care at home, along with the visiting nurse and a good friend. My church daily prayed for me and sent food. In time, I did rebound.
In August, I drove myself back to the Cleveland Clinic for my last doctor’s appointment. When my name was called, I sat in the small examining room. In a few minutes, the doctor walked in and began to smile. He asked me how I felt. I felt tired, but I was on the mend. In the middle of the pandemic, he sat next to me and said, “Can I tell you the truth? I thought you were coming in today to schedule more surgery. Obviously, you do not need it. What do you attribute to your recovery?” I answered with one word, “Prayer!” There can be no other answer. I am a living example that prayer is a powerful thing. I am thankful sometimes God answers our prayers with a “YES!” But that is not why we pray. We prayer to cultivate a relationship with God. That leads us back to our original question.
How often do you pray? In other words, how often do you talk to God? Are you cultivating a relationship with God? Or do your prayers sound like a wish list for a rich uncle? Is it possible you have forgotten you are speaking to God, the creator of the universe? Next to Him, we are nothing. Effective prayer praises God. Effective prayer obeys God. Effective prayer trusts God. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) once said, “Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”
Russ Adams 