02/10/2024
We know from reading scripture that prayer and faith are inseparable companions; one can't thrive without the other. Faith proceeds prayer and makes it effective, while prayer increases faith as we ask God to increase us in it. We have faith in the promise that God answers prayer, and receive that promise through the very prayers we faithfully pray. Jesus prayed that Peter's faith be increased, and we should ask God to increase ours as well. The stronger and more steadfast our faith becomes, the more likely we are to remain in God’s will, and in this way our prayers will be asked as the should be… in the name of Jesus… in God’s will.
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Luke 22:31-32 KJV
And, even as the Lord strengthens our faith he will also preserve it:
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Philippians 1:6 KJV
Yet as we seek Him, we find that prayer for faith is not an unchanging conversation, it is akin to physical labor, and as our youthful faith matures, so does our skill and effort in prayer. In this way the prayers we lift up become more focused, fervent, deeper, and more intense... they are perfected, and begin to resemble the prayers of Jesus. When we are new in Christ we pray rather simple prayers as if we are children, but as we grow in our faith, and relationship with the Christ, our prayers become deeper, complex, and full flavored. They increase in this way just as our understanding of God’s Word, and His desire for us in Jesus Christ increases. Listen to Paul as he writes…
“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”
Romans 15:30 KJV
And we read this again as he writes in Colossians:
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
Colossians 4:12 KJV
Growing in faith and prayer doesn’t mean using more words, or dragging out the length of time it takes us to say something, no, it is the subject and content of our prayers that matures with our faith. I suggest that we try to reduce our prayers to their very essence as if we are boiling a fine soup to intensify its flavor. God knows what we desire before we ask, so don’t belabor the point unnecessarily.
““And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.””
Matthew 6:5-8 ESV
The idea of laboring in prayer is used often in the bible. We should seek God with every ounce of our being. In this process every distraction is put behind us and we find ourselves before Him with a singleness of thought, faith, and a more perfect conformance to His will.
I know that as we face trials in our lives we are seeking God's will and protection, and that because of these trials we pray passionately for His deliverance, but as we do so we should also ask for an ever increasing faith, and pray for a perfected revelation of his will. In all of our prayers we will find ourselves seeking him in laborious effort, but as our faithful maturity increases our labor in prayer will too. In this way we will find ourselves able to block all else except His presence and promise, and as we continue on, our sweat will begin to drip from us until at last we will find ourselves on our own Mount of Olives, and discover that our sweat has become like the blood of Jesus…
“saying, [Jesus said] “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Luke 22:42-44 ESV
Our God is faithful and answers prayer... but, our faith must be unwavering in that expectation, and our prayers focused on Him. In this way we will not be distracted by our own will, and desires. We should retreat to a quiet place such as a prayer chair, a secret place, or perhaps a peaceful garden with saints watching and praying over us. Then, having been strengthened in spirit, and having removed all our earthly distractions, we will find ourselves immersed in the Spirit, and God will meet us there.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who teaches us how to pray, and for your answer to our prayers that we lift up in His name. Thank you Lord for not only knowing our desires before we pray them, but for directing and forming them through your Holy Spirit as we seek to pray them in your will. Thank you for refining our thoughts and distilling them into their very essence; even if that essence is uttered without a word, but in tears, a sigh, or a moan. Help us Father in our unbelief, and strengthen us in our faith, that we might come to you more perfectly. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come, and who sift our prayers lovingly through your fingers for all eternity… knowing the beginning from the end, in the now of our present. Hear us as we praise and worship you Father, and receive all the glory of your will as we say it, sing it, and pray it. Never let us forget that you are with us always, and circumcise our hearts and minds, so that we are always and forever cognizant of this whether as immature Christians, or the most perfected of saints. Increase us today, and hear the more perfected efforts of our prayers, now, and forevermore.
Amen
Rich Forbes