Prayer Changes Things

In one of my recent sermons, I preached about prayer.  I began by asking the following honest questions:

• Why is it that the average Christian makes so little progress in their Christian life?
• Why is it that the average Christian experiences so little victory over sin?
• Why is it that the average Christian feels so defeated in their walk with Christ?
• Why is it that the average Christian sees so few people come to know Christ as a result of their witnessing?
• Why is it that so many churches never experience growth?
• Why is it that so many churches rarely see the baptismal pool stirred from activity?
• Why is it that so many churches struggle with constant budget shortfalls?
• Why is it that so many churches bicker and fight over the most insignificant matters?

I believe the simple answer to all of these questions can be found in one, 10-word sentence found in Jame 4:2 (NIV), “You do not have, because you do not ask God.”  Prayer is the answer.

James, the author of the book and the brother of Jesus, was a mighty man of prayer.  Tradition tells us that he prayed so often and so long that his knees became like the knees of a camel.  Because he spent so much time in prayer with Jesus, he became like Jesus.  No surprise that when he was martyred in A.D. 62, his words were the same as Jesus’ words on the cross:  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Our words need to be the words of Christ.  Every day we encounter people who desperately need to hear from God.  God wants to speak to them through us.

How’s your prayer life?  No, really?  How is it?  God is breaking my heart in this area.  He is speaking much-needed truth to me, maybe He is saying the same thing to you as well.

Prayer:  Oh God.  Thank You for the harsh truth!  Thank You for not giving up on me.  Thank You for being patient enough to speak the same thing to me again and again until I hear it….until I get it….until I obey.  God, please teach me to pray in the way you desire for me to pray.  God, I love You….I praise You….I worship You.  Amen.