Prayerlessness

Is not praying a sin, or is it just a weakness? We have so many excuses for not praying. We are so busy, there just isn’t time, and then there are so many distractions in our lives, not to mention the interruptions that happen. We can come up with all kinds of reasons for neglecting fellowship with our Lord.

If friends come, we will stop everything to visit and talk to them. Scriptures tell us that Jesus is a friend who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). We have time for our friends and everything that interests us. Shouldn’t we treat Jesus at least the way we would our friends? Don’t we dishonor God when we ignore Him?

Andrew Murray points out the seriousness of prayerlessness. “What a reproach it is to God. The holy and most glorious God invites us to come to Him, to speak with Him and hear from Him, to ask from Him such things as we need, and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with Him. He has created us in His own image and redeemed us by His own Son, so that in communing with Him we might find our highest glory and salvation.

What use do we make of this heavenly privilege? How many there are who take only five minutes for prayer! It is not that they absolutely do not pray; they may pray every day – but they have no joy in prayer; and joy in prayer is a sign of communion with God that shows that God is everything to them.”

Satan knows that through prayer we receive the power to resist him as well as become closer to God and His blessings. God’s children can conquer anything through prayer. Therefore, is it any wonder that Satan will do anything to distract us and keep us from talking to our Lord?

In Ephesians, we are told to put on the armor of God in order to resist the devil’s schemes and the forces of darkness. After all the parts of the armor have been named, Paul adds that we should then pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). Without prayer, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word, have no power. It all depends on prayer!

The first true sign of spiritual life, prayer, is also the means of maintaining it. Man can as well live physically without breathing, as he can spiritually without praying.

One cannot overemphasize the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian. Our prayer life determines the closeness of our walk with the Lord.  

Prayer is indeed the very pulse of our spiritual life. It is the great means of bringing to the Christian the blessing and the power of heaven. Persevering and believing prayer makes for a strong and abundant spiritual life.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Books by Jerry, many of which you may read for free on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Blount/author/B06XK4GJT1

1. Things You Probably Didn’t Learn in Church
2. Basic Christianity: Living a Joy-Filled Life and Making a Difference
3. The End Times: Signs and Prophecy
4. Noah and the Great Flood: Proof and Effects
5. Following Jesus and Fishing Along the Way: Stories of God’s Great Outdoors
6. The Rapture: Coming Soon
7. Delighting in the Lord: Enjoying a Close Walk with Jesus