Disciplined Prayer

Ezra 8:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:3-18 (NAS)
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, Feb. 8

There are some things that only God can do. There are some things that God only does as the result of prayer. There are some things that God only does as the result of persistent, confident prayer. There are some things that God only does as the result of confident prayer that is rooted in fasting. No matter how you say it or how you do it, the Bible is clear that a connection exists between what God does and what God’s people ask Him to do. That connection may be hard to pin down at times, but the connection is there and God expects His people to make it.

Take Ezra, for example. He was certain that God wanted His people to exit Babylon and return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah made that clear (see Jer. 29), and Zerubbabel had already led a group of nearly 50,000 exiles back to their homeland. Ezra was also certain that God wanted the safe return of His people to Jerusalem (8:22). In fact, so confident was Ezra in what God wanted that he openly stated in the presence of King Artaxerxes that the returning remnant of Israelites needed no military protection along the 900 mile journey home, though the journey would be fraught with danger. Yet, Ezra did not take the will and the ability of God for granted. He did not merely assume that all would go well.

Ezra recognized that there is a connection between what God will do and what God’s people ask Him to do. Consequently, prior to beginning their long trek, Ezra called the returnees to fasting and prayer (8:21). We are not told how long they fasted or in what manner they fasted (One meal? One day? One meal each day for several days? Did they pray individually, by families, or in larger groups?), but we know two things at least. One, they sought God before they began their four-month venture, and two, fasting was included as part of their prayer vigil. The praying is understandable, but why the fasting? The fasting accomplished three things. One, it added urgency to their prayers. Two, it more sharply focused their prayers. Three, it demonstrated their deep dependency on the Lord as they prayed.

Is fasting always necessary as part of one’s prayer life? No, but there are times when the immensity of the task and the depth of personal inadequacy seem to demand it. God gives us a sense when fasting belongs in the prayer equation, and Ezra definitely sensed the need for fasting in this instance.

Someone may ask, But what if I’ve never sensed the need to pray “and fast?” Does that mean I’m not spiritual? No, but it might mean that you’ve never faced an obstacle or a difficulty of such colossal proportions that you knew you’d fail if God did not intervene. In fact, that is probably why most people pray very little, and give themselves to fasting even less. They simply are not involved in the attempt and achievement of things beyond their perceived ability.

Like Ezra, James encouraged his readers to pray. Many of those who first received his letter were in the throws of suffering (5:13), a term that refers to misfortune and trouble. Others were sick (5:14). Still others had been engulfed by sin (5:15-16), and perhaps in some cases, the sickness and the sin were related.

Interestingly, each time James urged his readers to pray (5:13, 14, 16) he used the imperative form of the verb. Thus, he commanded them to pray! It’s almost as if he knew that his audience would be resistant to prayer. If it’s true that some people fail to pray because they aren’t desperate enough, it may also be true that some people fail to pray because they aren’t disciplined enough. Simply said, they are too lazy to pray! Can you imagine spending a lifetime never experiencing the power of God for no other reason than laziness?

James wants us to know that prayer makes a wonderful difference in the way our lives are played out, especially when our prayers are lifted up to God in faith (5:15). What is faith? Faith is absolute confidence that God will one, respond to the prayers of His children (Heb. 11:6), and two, do what is right and best in a particular situation (II Cor. 12:7-10).

Does confident praying mean that God is obligated to give precisely what we ask? I don’t think so. Please note that the prayer offered in faith (5:15) is tempered by the name of the Lord (5:14). What does that mean? It means that God’s precise will takes precedence over our precise requests (John 14:13-14; James 4:3). That includes requests for physical healing, as in 5:14-15. Yet, how often have we not received some great thing from God because we simply did not ask (4:2:c) or because we lacked confidence in God’s generosity (1:6)? Again, what God will do and wants to do is connected to what His people will ask Him to do.

¡ike Ezra and James, Paul believed in the impact of prayer on everyday life Ð to pray without ceasing (I Thess. 4:17). Various translations say to never give up praying; pray constantly; be unceasing in prayer – praying perseveringly. As with James, Paul’s admonition is weighted with an imperative connotation, thus, Paul gave his readers no option. He commanded them to pray, as did James. The idea behind the words without ceasing is that of something done continually, repeatedly, and without interruption.

Does Paul literally mean that we are to pray every waking moment? I don’t think so. That would be as impractical as it would be impossible. Paul is telling us that prayer is to be a rhythmic part of our lives. We are not to go too far down the road each day or week without seeking the face of God. Daniel set aside three times a day for prayer (Dan. 6:10). As the second most powerful man in the world, surely he was pressed for time. Even so, Daniel made sure that he prayed. The Psalmist did the same thing (Psalm 55:17). Luke tells us that Jesus often slipped away to a private place for the purpose of praying (Lk. 5:17).

Of course, it’s right to pray in moments when the mood strikes or when the Spirit leads. However, those most powerful for the Lord discipline themselves to pray. Cut it anyway you want, power is linked to prayer. God wants to do wonderful things for those who follow Him, and He will – if we ask; if we ask in faith; if we ask in the midst of fasting (should the situation call for it). It’s not always easy. It’s not always convenient. Yet, plan to pray. Then work your plan. As Nike might say, Just do it!