PRAYERLESSNESS

While Christian churches have shut down their mid-week prayer meetings, and the average Christian typically finds no time to pray, prayerlessness is not the case among Muslims, and in their mosques. By 2020, estimates are that the number of [UK] Muslims attending prayers will reach at least 683,000. The devout Muslim prays five times a day: at dawn (Salat al-Fajr), at noon (Salat al-Zuhr), in the afternoon (Salat al-Asr), at sunset (Salat al-Maghhrib), and at night (Salat al-Isha).  Prayer for the Muslim is his spiritual diet. Sadly, Muslims pray to a false god who can neither hear, nor help them. But Christians who know Christ as their Lord and Savior, have the wonderful privilege of coming to a throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). I am convinced from Scripture that prayerlessness in the Christin life is not a symptom of laziness, or neglect; prayerlessness is symptomatic of an attitude that says, “I can do without the help of God”. Harold Vaughn wrote, “there can be no real prayer without humility. … Prayerlessness is the very first sign of pride. It has been said, “God’s power will never fall until we do.” Proud people don’t pray. In fact, the only people who pray are those who need God, know they need God, and can’t go on without God. Humility is the altar on which God wishes us to offer Him sacrifices. Dear brethren, let us go frequently to the throne of God’s grace in the name of Jesus Christ who delights in our dependence upon him.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:16-18).

God bless,

Pastor Tom