February 8 — Disciplined Prayer

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Most of us are familiar with the main kinds of prayers such as praise, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession. In prayers of petition we request God’s favor on behalf of ourselves or someone else. How we pray depends on the nature of the prayer. We limit our study to some general principles.

• The experience of Ezra accentuates a basic principle in prayer, that it is a work of faith (Ezra 8:21-23). Once we know God’s will in a given direction, we must believe not only that God can, but will, answer prayer. In the thought of Watchman Nee, prayer is the act of the believer in working together with God.

Ezra trusted God in a difficult set of circumstances. King Cyrus, who conquered Babylon in 538 BC, followed his policy of allowing captive people to return to their homeland. Zerubbabel and other Jewish leaders began the restoration. Under King Artaxerxes (7:12), Ezra also collected funds to assist in the work. However, though entitled to an armed military escort to go along for protection, he refused. In his words, he was ashamed to request it because he had already assured the King of God’s protection (v. 22). His successful completion of the journey to Jerusalem proved the wisdom of trusting God’s favor (v. 32).

• Second, disciplined prayer is nurtured in a mood of devotion (1 Thess. 5:16-18). As Charles Haddon Spurgeon observed, if we cannot see the hand of God, we can always trust His heart. This loving trust blossoms in a heart filled with rejoicing (v. 16). We rejoice in present blessings and the prospect of future happiness.

In this spirit of devotion, we pray without ceasing (v. 17). Since we cannot continually be physically on our knees before God, prayer becomes the constant awareness of God’s presence throughout the day. It becomes intimate communion rather than the voicing of words. No matter what circumstances life may deal us, we pause to give thanks to God in them (v. 18). Because we are armed with joy, prayer, and thanksgiving, Satan cannot assault us. In joy or in sorrow, in prosperity or adversity, we praise God. That is God’s will in Christ concerning us.

• Disciplined prayer finds a wonderful expression in our communion with other believers (James 5:13-14). The Bible addresses several life situations common to the community of believers. For those suffering hardship, the Scriptures tell them to pray (v. 13a). It prescribes praise for happy people (v. 13b). Yet, others are simply weary and worn down (v. 14), perhaps from afflictions or persecution. They need a healthy dose of support from the elders who come, anoint them in the Lord’s name, and pray for them. Their prayers will help retrieve them from despondency because the Lord will lift them up. If sins have been the cause of the downtrodden condition, the Lord will forgive them (v. 14).

• Finally, in disciplined prayer, believers must never ignore the healing power of confession (vv. 15-18). While all sins have to be confessed to God, others require an additional step, the confession to someone else, as in the case of a person who has been wronged. For example, a Christian who harms the reputation of another by spreading rumors can find no peace in a private confession to Christ. Confession followed by reconciliation is the bare minimal step.

The Bible then illustrates the unrealized power to be released in prayer. Elijah’s prayers stand out. Although he exhibited human failures and weaknesses, at his commands the rains of heaven were closed and subsequently opened again (vv. 17-19).