March 2003
Too Busy To Pray
John Wesley said, “It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone ask Him.”
Our archenemy understands the importance of prayer, and works to distract us. He works to intensify an inappropriate need to please people rather than God driving us to busyness that eats up our time. A need to fix others or a false feeling of responsibility devours our energy, and we have less time to pray.
Satan understands the power of prayer, and plots to keep us too busy to pray studious, reflective, fervent prayers. In The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, Screwtape, an instructor of demons, is training Wormwood, the new recruit, to be an expert tempter.
He writes, “You no longer need a good book, which he really likes, to keep him from his prayers or his work or his sleep; a column of advertisements in yesterday’s paper will do. You can make him waste his time not only in conversation he enjoys with people whom he likes but also in conversations with those he cares nothing about, on subjects that bore him.”
Jesus is Our Example
Jesus was a man of prayer. Most often he prayed alone, and the supernatural pervaded the natural. The heavens opened, and the will of God was revealed as the natural was changed into the supernatural, and the Father was glorified. Obviously, the disciples recognized the importance of prayer. And they must have marveled at his ability to minister to the needs of people they knew and lived with. Their lives were transformed. They never dreamed they would leave their life-long occupations to follow a man from village to village.
They knew about miracles. Their heroes of faith – Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, David accomplished great feats. They knew about supernatural provision, the dead being raised, and lepers healed. The Old Testament prophets performed the miracles Jesus was performing. They asked the Master to teach them to pray!
To know how Jesus prayed we have to review His teachings on prayer. I believe that that in every circumstance He waited on the counsel of the Father. I can imagine them talking about upcoming events and the steps that Jesus would take because He did nothing except the Father directed Him. He said what the Father told Him to say. He approached the Father as a little child. (Matthew 18:3) He asked the Father for what He needed, and He received it with great joy. (John 16:24)
When We Don’t Know
So often our prayer life is directed by circumstances, and we fail to see the core issues. The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how — if we will wait before the Lord in quiet meditation. He will show us things to come. If we ask and listen expectantly, He will give us the wisdom to handle situations correctly. When we’ve made mistakes He will give us the tools for setting things right.
Ask According to His Will
We are instructed to ask according to the will of God. When we don’t know His will, we seek God. When we know His will and obstacles seem to be delaying the answer we knock and keep on knocking. Prayer is not only talking, but also it requires meditation.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is communication between man and God. One writer said, “It is the opening of the skylight of the soul to that which is spiritual and from above.” In the beginning of our walk with God we are usually conscientious about our prayer time. Let us not do as Israel did. They quickly forgot what God had done, and they wouldn’t wait for his counsel! (Psalm 106:13)
Do not allow the enemy to steal your prayer time. If you have been too busy to pray, don’t waste time berating yourself, repent for your prayerlessness, receive your forgiveness and worship the Father. If you simply don’t want to pray, tell Him how you feel and ask Him to draw you to the place of prayer. Prayer is talking with the Father.
Unite with thousands who are praying for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Change begins with us. Our families, our communities and the nations will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord! Purpose to pray prayers that avail much!
Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.