DO YOU HAVE THE HEART TO PRAY? (4)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            In three previous articles, we have been examining the qualities the heart must possess in order for a Christian’s pray life to be successful.  We have viewed seven traits so far:  a dependent heart,  a seeking heart, a humble heart, a trusting heart, a contrite heart, an obedient heart, and a penitent heart.  Let’s continue to examine the qualities of the heart of a true prayer warrior.

            Eighth, the man of prayer must possess a FERVENT HEART.  James tells us:  “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jms. 5:16).  The word “fervent” means “working.”  When an individual prays, he must be actively engaged in the prayer.  This is one of the reasons why repetitious prayers were condemned by Jesus.  “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:  for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:7).  When a person says the same thing over and over and over, the mouth is engaged, but the heart is not.  Prayer needs to proceed from the understanding of the one who voices the prayer (1 Cor. 14:15).  If the mind is not working and thinking about the message being proclaimed, the Lord knows this.  A prayer in which one’s mind is not engaged is vain and empty.  This becomes very important when we are being led in prayer by another in a group setting.  We cannot let our minds wander.  We must pay attention to what is being said.  If not, our prayer will not be one that avails much.

            Ninth, prayer needs to flow from a PERSISTENT HEART.  We want our prayers to be answered quickly after the first time they are spoken.  This, however, is not always how prayer works.  Many times we must be persistent in prayer.  We must ask multiple times before God responds to our request.  Jesus refers to this element of prayer as “importunity.”  In Luke 11:5-8, Jesus provides us with an illustration of persistence in prayer.  “And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?  And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not:  the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.”  Parents understand this point well.  When they enter into a grocery store with a child, the youngster will immediately begin to beg for candy.  At first, the parent tells the child, “No.”  The child, however, does not quit asking.  Over and over and over the request is made for some candy.  Finally, by aisle three or four, the parent has handed the candy to the child.  The reason he got what he wanted is because of his persistence.  In like manner, if we are persistent in our requests, the Father will yield to our desires.  In Luke 11:9, Jesus makes a promise to those who persist in prayer.  “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened.”

            Tenth, a child of God who prays effectively will also have a THANKFUL HEART.  God has blessed us with physical and spiritual blessings in great abundance.  These blessings come into our lives every day.  When the child of God comes into the presence of His heavenly Father, he should thank Him for His bounty.  Several passages of Scripture exhort us to be thankful for our gifts from God.  David exhorts us with these words:  “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:  be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Ps. 100:4-5).  The Hebrew writer gives a similar admonition in Hebrews 13:15.  “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.”  How could any child of God come into the Lord’s presence without being grateful.  He is able to approach the Father due to His benevolence.  Surely, one can express a “thank you” for his redemption and the physical necessities of life. 

            Eleventh, the person who prays must possess a SUBMISSIVE HEART.  We pray wanting what we think is best for us.  Sometimes what we think we need is not what God believes we need.  Thus, our will and His will come in conflict with one another.  In those cases, we must possess a submissive heart.  Our will must be willing to submit to the will of the Father.  Jesus is a prime example.  While in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was in the immediate shadow of the cross.  Even before the nails were driven into His hands, He could feel them.  Even before He bore the weight of sin, He could feel its burden.  He approached the Father with His request:  “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me…” (Matt. 26:39).  Three times, He sent these words unto the throne of God.  Each time, however, His words were tempered with another statement.  “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39.  Our will may not accomplish the will of God.  Our will may not be what is truly best for us.  Our will has no way of seeing into the future.  Thus, it is always best to leave the outcome of prayer in the hands of God.  “Father, if it be thy will bless me.  However, if thy will is different than mine, I will accept it.”  We must follow in the footsteps of our Master who said:  “Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42).

            Prayer is one of the most powerful forces on the planet.  One has said:  “Prayer moves the hand of Him who moves the Universe.”  How true!  Yet, those who come to God must possess the right heart.  Without a heart of prayer, our prayers are just empty words.  If we have a heart that God desires, on the other hand, our prayers are a weapon, a tool, and a medication for our every day lives.