The Resource Of Prayer

Feature 1 – November 2017 — Grace & Truth Magazine

The Resource Of Prayer

Much of Micah’s prophecy may be difficult for us to understand, but one statement recorded in Micah 7 gives great practical encouragement for our day. The prophet declared, “Therefore I will look unto the L ORD ; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (v.7 KJV ).

Micah lived in a day very much like our own. According to this chapter righteous people were few (v.2), corruption abounded (v.3), and it seemed nobody could be trusted (v.5). Family breakdown was commonplace, and you could not count on the loyalty of those who were closest to you (v.6). In circumstances like this, what can be done? Who can we trust when all seems hopeless?

The answer given by Micah is both concise and compelling. In spite of such things – indeed, because of such things Micah would look to the LORD. When human help fails, this is what we must do. We need to realize that the Lord will never fail us. We must look to Him in faith, day by day. Patience is needed too – and this is something Micah expressed in his next statement: “I will wait for the God of my salvation.” If we have been born again, the One who has saved us is “the God of our salvation.” He is still “able to deliver” those who trust in Him – as Daniel’s three friends proved (Dan. 3:17). Our Savior-God is also coming again from heaven. Perhaps His coming is very near – but He is able to deliver us now from the trials and difficulties we encounter, if that is His will. Patiently we must wait for Him to work in our circumstances in His own time and way.

The believer’s greatest resource is prayer. Micah knew the value of this too as, with confidence, he affirmed, “My God will hear me.” How good it is for us to know that our God hears the prayers of His children whenever they call on Him. Like Micah, we may feel that we are living in a corrupt society. In many countries political leaders scheme and appear determined to silence the message of the Bible. Godly men and women seem few and are greatly outnumbered by the godless. In such conditions we must look only to the Lord and be patient. Continue in prayer: divine intervention may be nearer than we think.

An Invitation And Promise
The Lord Jesus addressed His disciples shortly before His death. He had spoken about leaving them and returning to His Father in heaven, but He would not leave them alone. After His departure the Holy Spirit would be sent to abide with them and to exercise His ministry as the Comforter (Jn. 14:16). But another great resource was promised to these disciples – the resource of prayer. The Lord Jesus promised, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (v.13).

In this one verse we are told a great deal about prayer. The first thing to notice is its vast scope. Just as the gospel invitation is addressed to “whosoever will” (Mk. 8:34), so prayer has its equivalent “whatsoever.” There is no subject too complex to pray about, nor is there anything too insignificant to bring to God. We may pray about matters involving thousands of other people, and we may pray about concerns that are intensely personal and known to nobody else. How wonderful to know that prayer topics are unrestricted as we come before our God!

Another thing we learn from our Savior is that we must pray in His name. This does not mean simply tagging His name onto the end of our prayers. Our requests must meet with His divine approval and must not be motivated by selfish interests. The Lord Jesus never sought His own will but that of His Father. In the same way He promises that if we ask in His name He will answer our requests.

We must also notice why we are given this instruction to pray. It is “that the Father may be glorified in the Son” through those prayers being answered. Our praying should not be to gratify our own desires but to glorify our Father in heaven. He is glorified through His Son: that is why our prayers are to be in His name.

For the believer, prayer is a great privilege. Those who are unsaved know nothing about it. Let us avail ourselves of this God-given opportunity, as Micah did, each day – our desire always being “that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

By Martin Girard, adapted, with permission, from material published by www.skywaymessages.co.uk