Samuel at Gilgal

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3 ESV)

Prayer is a vital necessity for the Christian life. If we possess little of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – it is generally because we have petitioned for too little. The promises of God are so excellent, should they not inspire us to pray without ceasing? A consistent prayer life eventually aligns our motivation with God’s purpose.

Yet, many want to be friends with God and the sinful pleasures of this world system at the same time. This is impossible because you cannot be a friend of God and live in rebellion against Him. We pray self-centered prayers to gratify our desires and wonder that our prayers have no effect. We actually want God to be our servant. Such a prayer life leads only to frustration and spiritual emptiness.

Do not allow your prayer life to become like a barren wasteland. Go to your Father in heaven as befits a son or daughter. Through the blood of Jesus, enter into the Holy of Holies to approach the throne of grace with the boldness of a child. According to John Owen, your prayers are “a holy practice”. Pray for your personal gospel progress that you may grow in sanctification. When the righteous pray, God hears and answers. (Psalm 34:17 ESV)

Filed under: Bible, Prayer, Samuel A. Cain | Tagged: Prayer Life |