The Necessity of Prayer

Prayer is required. If I am to have a healthy spiritual life, I must pray.

There are several things I can live without. I could stand to miss a meal or two. I don’t have to watch the news or sports. Following Hurricane Katrina, I lived without electricity for several days. However, if I am going to be spiritually strong, I have to pray.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is a requirement for a victorious Christian life.

We discussed the results of neglecting prayer in our last session. As a review, we need to be reminded that shortly before Jesus was arrested and crucified, the Savior predicted Peter would deny him. Peter, confident in his commitment to Jesus, said, “Jesus, you must be crazy. I would never deny you. I would die first.” Later that night Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In Matthew 26:36, we find Jesus saying to Peter and a couple of other disciples “Sit here, while I go and pray.” He returned and the disciples, including Peter, had fallen asleep. He then said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In Matthew 26:43, we find Peter and the others asleep once again.

I don’t believe it is a coincidence that later that night Peter denied even knowing Jesus. He even cursed when he was recognized as a disciple of Christ. He was overconfident in his own spiritual strength. He failed to pray and before he knew what had happened he had done the unthinkable. He acted as if he didn’t even know Jesus.

Prayerlessness is a sin. Hallesby said,

“Neglect Prayer. Neglect God.”

Ole Hallesby, a Norwegian whose work entitled Prayer is considered one of the Christian Classics of the 20th Century, developed a checklist of the dangerous results of prayerlessness:

• We have more “world” in our thoughts.
• We feel farther away from God.
• We have less “God” talk in our conversations with others.
• Slowly an unwilling or rebellious spirit creeps into our personality.
• Sin doesn’t sting as much, because it is less honestly confessed.
• We deal with sin as the world does, by hiding it.

Luis Palau in his book, “Heart After God” wrote:

“Immorality begins with tiny things. Little things. Yet, if you don’t crucify them, if you don’t bring them to judgment, if you don’t face up to them for what they are—sin—they can destroy you. They can blur your moral judgment at a critical, irreversible junction in your life. No one sees the little flaws. But everyone sees the big collapse.”

4 Scriptures that underscore the importance of regular prayer.

1. Proverbs 15:8

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.

2. Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

3. Acts 3:1

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

4. Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Application

Is there a major decision in your life that you have not taken to God in prayer?

What does this statement mean to you? "Neglect Prayer. Neglect God."

Should you pause now and ask God to forgive you for prayerlessness?