Prayer Journal

Saturday, November 18, 2000
323/43
Read the Bible through in OneYear

"Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." James 5:17,18

How would you describe "earnest" prayer? Scripture tells us that Jesus offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears. (Heb 5:7) All the gospel accounts tell us that our Lord prayed in the garden before his crucifixion. Luke, however, adds that his prayer on the Mount of Olives had such intensity that his tears resembled sweat drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44) There is no greater example of praying with earnest than that of our Lord Jesus.

Some believe that the outward display of intense prayer alone is an indicator of a person praying in earnest. But most would agree that in this age of radio and television religion, a "Will Pray for Food" attitude is far too prevalent and pretentious. Everywhere we look, we see someone like Simon the Magician, who "seeks to barter on the open market that power which cannot be bought or sold". (1)

E.M. Bounds wrote, "Many private prayers must be short. Public prayers, as a rule, ought to be short and condensed. And there is often need for spontaneous, exclamatory prayer. However, in our private communions with God, time is essential to the value of the prayer. Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying." (2)

If our brother is correct, and I think he is, a person who is earnest in prayer will also display other identifying characteristics:

  1. They constantly work to avoid and remove those things which create a barrier between themselves and God.
  2. They spend much private time with God which is evidenced by an outward display of holy living.
  3. They are totally absorbed in God's Word and identify with it.
  4. They are prepared in season and out, to meet prayer needs with immediate promises from God's word.
  5. They exhibit a willingness, rather than an eagerness, to intercede for others as God directs.
  6. They avoid recognition and tend to move away from the spotlight when it moves toward them, not toward it.
  7. Elijah prayed and it didn't rain for 3-1/2 years. We can't escape the obvious. A person who prays in earnest also is known by the visible answered prayer in their life.

I like the statement; "Elijah was a man just like us". So, how do you rate yourself by these seven characteristics. Note, that each characteristic (except #7) is under your personal control. Earnest praying then, is a matter of personal choice, not divine calling. What would Jesus Do if He were you?     Just Thinkin'.. WebServant

 

(1) The Church Triumphant, by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
(2) Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds(c) 1982 Whitaker House. All Rights Reserved
(3) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(4) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.

Prayertower