07/07/2024
This morning we contemplate the symbiotic relationship between faith and prayer, and the fact that one cannot exist without the other. They are so tightly bound together that continuous prayer and never failing faith become as one. The persistence of prayer is the result of a strength of faith and vice-versa. Pastor E.M. Bounds states it in this way: "Faith functions in connection with prayer and persistence. Persistence cultivates the belief that prayer will be answered. A person with a persistent spirit will be blessed.” And, scripture leads us to understand the connection between prayer and faith in words such as these…
“And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."”
Luke 22:40 ESV
How is it then that people neglect prayer? Can they possibly maintain a strong faith in God without a strong prayer life? The lack of prayer indicates a weak or nonexistent faith. Pastor Bounds referred to this as a spiritual laziness when he wrote these thoughts:
"Love of ease, spiritual laziness, and religious indifference all operate against [persistent prayer]. Our praying, however, needs to be coaxed with an energy that never tires." – E. M. Bounds
You may be tiring of my continuous reference to persistent prayer, but regardless of whether we refer to it as constant, endless, obstinate, perpetual, or unrelenting, the thought is the same, and coupling it with our faith is undeniable.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Matthew 21:22 KJV
So our faith depends on our prayers for sustenance and of course there would be no prayer without faith. Bounds ends his commentary on this duplicity of prayer and faith by adding yet another adjective to his description... Courage.
"Our praying, however, needs to be coaxed with an energy that never tires. It needs to have a persistency that will not be denied and courage that never fails." - E. M. Bounds
Sometimes it does take courage to pray. Many read of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane and view it as His reluctance to accept death... a form of fear... and it was. Jesus didn't want to suffer or die any more than you or I, he was not only the Son of God, but also human. Yet he prayed and then accepted the will of God as His future. Prayers like this take courage! Jesus knew the will that God had for Him and yet He prayed for that cup to pass from Him... It didn't, and we owe our eternal souls to His courageous acceptance of God's will over Hid own.
When we pray seeking God's will, there needs to be courage in us... Not to pray, but to be able to accept God's will for us as we do... we need the courage necessary to drink from the cup.
This morning when we pray, let's seek God's will for us, let's ask him for a deep and abiding faith, let's ask Him for persistence in our faith and prayers, and let's ask Him for the courage that it will ultimately take to do His will. I will pray for you in this regard and I ask that you do the same for me. May God give us the courage we need to accept and obey His will.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the faith it takes to pray as we should, and thank you also for the strength and courage you give us as we pray that your will be done, when in fact it is our own will that represents the easiest path for us. Thank you for your Holy Spirit Father as he leads us from words of fear and trembling to those of strength, faith, and belief, all in one short, but righteous prayer. Thank you for the courage you give us so that we can utter the same faithful words that Jesus did… “Not my will but yours be done.” All the while knowing the pain, suffering, and rough road that lies ahead when we do. Help us Lord God to step fully into your will and to courageously accept it in place of our own timid way. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was, and is, and is to come, and holy are you who walks with us in your will as we face all the difficulties and pain that it involves. Our prayers build the faith we need to courageously face the trials that we will ultimately face, and to believe firmly that they will always work together for good if we will only step courageously into them. Mothers pray for the lives of their dying children, but sometimes one mother must give up her child that the children of others might not have to do so. Mary gave her son Jesus unto suffering and death that my mother, and so many others, could see their children live eternally in your presence. Yet even in the hardships and suffering we might experience while doing your will, you will bless us... just as Jesus said as He taught…“blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” He taught us a lesson in each of the beatitudes Father, and we pray for the strength and courage needed to believe that those same lessons are true for us today, and made complete in you as we obey your will. Merciful and full of grace are you whose hand is on us always, and whose will for us is forever good. In you we believe, and in your Son Jesus our faith gathers its strength and the courage to live as He lived, and love you as He loves you. Guide us as we pray Abba, and hold our hand through every trial we face so that we know that what we are doing is what you desire of us. Forgive us as we forgive those who have hurt us, betrayed us, and caused us to suffer, just as Jesus forgave, and when we have walked your will to completion, then smile upon us and say “this is my child in whom I am well pleased.” And, welcome us home to eternal peace and joy in you. We pray that praise will be on our lips and in our hearts for you, and that all of heaven will hear us as we give you all the glory in that moment of rapture and quickening faith.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! to our one true God, and the Lord of all who gives us courage in prayer and faith, and whose will it is that blesses us.
And Jesus said…
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Matthew 5:3-11 ESV
Amen!
Rich Forbes