Optional Prayer?

Prayer is powerful.

It really is!

But though I say that, does my life reflect that I really and genuinely believe that? Sometimes perhaps, but generally I'd have to confess no. If we say we wholeheartedly believe in that statement 'prayer is powerful', ought not our lives continuously and undeniably be not only interspersed with, but characterised by intimate and faith-filled communion with our heavenly Father?

So is it true that prayer is only for those Christians who have 'more faith'? Those 'spiritual' ones? Well let's hear what God says in His word - the Bible - regarding this matter of prayer. Is it an optional extra to the Christian life?

'Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.' (Col 4:2)

'pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.' (1 Thess 5:17)

'do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.' (Phil 4:6)

'Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chron 16:11)

These verses explain that it's not just what God expects, but what God commands all Christians to do: to seek God and His strength continually instead of walking in our own reliance, wisdom and strength. To pray relentlessly, passionately, regularly, humbly, and with thanksgiving. Wow. My endeavor isn't so much just to grow in prayer for my own gain and benefit - first and foremost it's to grow in obedience to my Lord in prayer. And to conform my life more and more to the image of Christ - who set us the perfect example of one who completely depends on our heavenly Father in prayer and submitted to His will and authority.

Here's our example in devotion to prayer - Jesus...

'And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.' (Mark 1:35)

I wonder how things would look different in our lives, churches, and the world around us - if it were true that Christians everywhere would confidently believe that prayer is powerful, and live out that belief in the pattern of their daily lives? 

It can start with me, and it can start with you.

We've been commanded. Let's pray.  

Good and Wise

God is good.
God is wise.

These are simple statements. But simple statements are often the most amazing and wonderful truths, profound and rich. These are realities that every Christian ought not only declare, but believe wholeheartedly in. And for large periods of our lives, they seemingly aren't a problem to accept. The real crux comes when the follower of Christ comes headlong into times of turbulence, trial, or pain (and if you're one of God's children, these testing times are to be expected - after all, that's how we grow in maturity in our faith and become more like Christ Jesus). When events happen that are difficult to bear, or suffering comes within the sphere of our own lives - will we at that time still confidently believe these statements?

Because He is good, and He is wise. Whatever the circumstances, and whatever the state of the sinful world we live in. How do we know? Because He declares that it is so. God has spoken to us and revealed His character through the pages of the Bible. And time and time again, we see His goodness and wisdom. Read each of these verses (only a small selection) and ask: do I believe what God says about His own nature here or not? Ultimately God is who He is. We can only have a right or wrong understanding of Him. 


 “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 107:1).

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” (Psalm 31:19).

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

“With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding” (Job 12:13).

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33)

“Great is our Lord, and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5).

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him” (Daniel 2:20).

A real test as to whether we do truly believe in God's goodness and wisdom, not only intellectually, but in our hearts (with our whole beings), is when trials come. This demonstrates whether our belief was genuine or not. And we must take a step back and recognise that this faith and settled confidence in God's being is also a gift of God that we can't just muster up ourselves - it is graciously given to us not because of our merit or worth but because of God's mercy and love towards us (Ephesians 2:8-9). In other words: if I believe in God and His goodness and wisdom, it's because He's given me the faith to believe, and opened my eyes to understand the Scriptures and come to a knowledge of Himself. May that be one of our petitions in prayer for those we know who don't presently believe in God. He is all powerful! And desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4)

Trusting in God's goodness and wisdom through all circumstances, on the bright days and the more gloomy, brings such a deep peace and comfort and security - that really defies explanation. It allows us to persevere and continue walking with strength that doesn't come from ourselves. It allows us to have a constant attitude of thanksgiving to God, even when there's seemingly nothing in our outward circumstances that seems worthy of being thankful for (yet there always is, we simply lose focus of spiritual realities). And more importantly, when we're constantly trusting in God's goodness and wisdom, it too brings our heavenly Father great glory. And what a motivation that is! We can rest in confidence that God knows what's best in all situations and occasions, and that His goodness and righteousness remain constant in all He does (even allowing suffering to come for our spiritual growth, out of His Fatherly love - Hebrews 12:3-11). Let's not forget too that God has already shown such goodness, mercy, patience and love toward us in giving His Son to die in our place, bearing our sins in His body (2 Peter 2:24) - this amazing salvation being in the wisdom and eternal plan of God also.

So let this be an encouragement (and perhaps a reminder). May we bring honour to our God, the only God. And may we boldly confess, and have faith in our inner being that:


God is good.
God is wise.