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Why
Should Men Pray?
Why should we pray? God
knows all things. He knows what we need without
our telling Him. A child does not beg his father
for food, clothing, and shelter. These are
provided for him as a matter of course. Why
should we beg our Father in heaven for the things
we need, which He knows we need? May we not take
it for granted that God will give us what we need
without having to be coaxed to do so? Why demean
men by requiring them to beg on their knees for
the things the Father should provide?
The answer is that God
does provide for all, whether they pray or not,
and He is no respecter of persons. He sends rain
on the just and the unjust. Matthew 5:45. No one
needs to beg for anything. God provides for all
with strict impartiality. In fact, often the
wicked prosper more than do the righteous.
Doubtless, for good reasons, God permits this. If
He prospered only the righteous, and the wicked
were cursed with poverty, some might turn to God
for no other reason than the hope of reward. This
would merely be a bribe to induce men to accept
God, and such is inconsistent with God’s
plan or practice. God would have men make their
choice for good or ill uninfluenced by hope of
reward or fear of punishment in this life.
Because God treats all
fairly and without bias, we find some men
prospering financially while hating God. On the
other hand, we find seemingly godly men barely
eking out a living. The first work industriously,
take good care of their herds and flocks, and are
diligent in all that they undertake. The second
are lax and careless, pray much and work little,
and feel that God should support them. An
unbelieving surgeon who has prepared well for his
work may be more skillful and successful that the
Christian physician who believes that he need not
make such thorough preparation since god is on
his side and will help him.
Why, then, pray? If God
does not give special help to the one who asks;
if he has to study as hard and prepare as much as
the one who does not pray, why pray? If the
praying farmer must work his field as thoroughly
as does his nonpraying neighbor, of what
advantage is prayer? Why should the medical
student ask God for help when in the end he is
not necessarily a better surgeon than the
agnostic friend?
A
Distorted View of Confession
These questions are all
based on the assumption that prayer is a means of
getting something out of God without having to
work for it. The unbelieving man works for his
success. Can a Christian substitute prayer for
work? Not according to God’s plan. Prayer
definitely is not a substitute for work, or
anything else. Prayer and repentance may effect
forgiveness; but ordinarily they will not change
or even modify the consequences of evil done, nor
will the penalty be remitted. David may confess
and deeply repent of his sin, but the
consequences are not removed. See 2 Samuel
12:13,14. This is a principle that men may forget
and that needs to be called to their attention.
Some years ago there was
a professor telling a story of one of his
students who had been dishonest in an important
examination. He was an average student, but his
examination paper was so good that he was given a
final B. Some time later, his conscience
disturbed him and he wrote a letter of confession
to the professor, deeply regretting that he had
cheated. The professor answered him that he was
glad he had written. The professor accepted the
apology and informed him that he had changed his
grade from a “B” to an “F.”
By return mail the professor received an
indignant protest against what the professor had
done, stating if this is the result of
confession, he would never confess again. Did not
his confession deserve a B? He failed to
understand why the professor could not report a B
for work he had not done, and he failed to see
the confession did not in any way alter the fact
that he had been dishonest and had not done the
work required for a B grade. Had a good grade
been given him as a result of his confession, it
would be inconsistent not to do the same for
others who had also cheated, which would clearly
be unjust to all the other students who had
honestly earned their grades. Confession that is
based on hope of reward is not true confession.
God does not bribe a man
by promising him exemption from the punishment if
he will confess. True, there is a reward for the
obedient, but obedience or confession based on
reward is of doubtful value. In fact, it has no
moral value whatsoever. It is of the same nature
as the obedience of a child based on the promise
of candy if he will behave properly.
It was this
principle that was at stake in the case of Job.
Satan sneeringly asked God, “Doth Job fear
God for nought? Satan insinuated that Job’s
fear of God was motivated by the fact that god
had prospered him, that he was religious because
it paid him rich returns. God had put a hedge
about him so that no evil could touch him; He had
“blessed the work of his hands,” and
increased his substance in the land. Job 1:10.
But if God should turn from him and cease to
bless him with worldly goods, he would curse God
to His face. Verse 11.
God accepted Satan’s
complaint, saying, “Behold, all that he hath
is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth
thine hand.” Verse 12.
In initiating this trial,
God was seeking to disprove Satan’s
contention that Job served God because it paid
him to do so. He wanted to show that there was
one man in the world who served God without
selfish motives, one who would not renounce God
though He removed His favors from him. In this
matter, God depended on Job, though Job was not
aware of how much hung on his decision.
Armed with God’s
permission to deprive Job of his possessions,
Satan took away from Job all he had, even his
children. He did thorough work. The servants
reported one calamity after another.
Stunned as was Job by
these unlooked-for calamities, he calmly
exclaimed, “Naked came I out of my
mother’s womb, and naked shall I return
thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all
this Job sinned not, nor charged God
foolishly.” Verse 21,22.
Satan stood defeated. He
had claimed that if God would take away from Job
what he had, he would curse God. Instead of this,
Job blessed the name of the Lord. It was a signal
victory for God; for Satan himself had laid down
the conditions of the test, and God had agreed to
them. Job had not failed God. He had proved that
at least one man did not serve God for profit.
Satan was defeated; but
before long, he came back claiming he had lost
because God had not permitted him to touch Job
bodily. If God would permit Satan to
“touch” his bone and his flesh,”
Job would curse God to His face. Job 2:5. God
agreed to change the rules of the test, saying,
“Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his
life.” Verse 6.
Satan now ‘smote Job
with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto
his crown.” Verse 7. Job still did not know
why God permitted this trial, but his faith did
not fail. His wife advised him to curse God and
die; but Job was not moved. “What?” he
asked, “shall we receive good at the hand of
God, and shall we not receive evil?” The
result was the same as in the first test.
“In all this, Job did not sin with his
lips.” Verse 10.
The test was ended. God
had demonstrated that the accusations and claims
of Satan were false. Job had not served God for
reward. In triumphant words, Job gives voice to
his faith: “though He slay me, yet will I
trust in Him.” Job 13:15.
Why
Pray?
When the question is
raised, Why pray? The background of the inquiry
is that some supposed temporal advantage is to be
gained by prayer, and that if there is no such
advantage, there is no reason to pray. This puts
praying on a commercial basis and ignores the
true ground of prayer.
Prayer in essence is
communication with God, conversing with Him as we
would with a friend. Why do we associate and talk
with our friends? Not to get something from them
to enrich ourselves. The very thought of such
considerations is foreign to true friendship or
fellowship. Why do those who love each other like
to associate one with the other, talk together,
and sit together? For the simple reason that,
they love each other. No other explanation is
needed. Any supposed personal gain is far from
their thoughts. Indeed, such a motive would be
fatal to love. Love is based on giving, not
receiving.
Why pray? Why love?
We might as well ask, why breathe? One is as
natural and necessary as the other. Where there
is love, there is communion there is prayer. It
could not be otherwise.
Why pray? Is a strange
question to ask a Christian, for prayer is such a
natural thing to him that he cannot conceive of
life without it? If we should ask a little boy
why he runs to his mother to tell her of his joys
and sorrows, to show her some little treasure he
has found, or tell her an experience he has had,
he would be perplexed and wonder why such a
question should be asked. Where else could he go?
What else could he do? Mother can solve all
problems. She is a source of wisdom. She can kiss
away bruises; she can dry tears. She knows what
to do in every case. Mother understands. At
times, he runs to her just to tell her that he
loves her. The little pat on the cheek, the
loving kiss, the sweet words, “Mamma loves
you, too” – all these explain why he
runs to mother. To him it is a strange and silly
question to inquire why he runs to mother. He
probably concludes that grownups do not know
much. Moreover, he is right.
Likewise, the Christian
wonders how anyone can ask why he prays. He asks
God for daily bread and receives it; but he knows
that his unbelieving neighbor also gets bread
without asking God for it. He knows that God
feeds the ravens and the sparrows and wicked men.
Then why pray? Because with the daily bread he
receives something that the unbeliever does not
receive because he does not ask for it, not being
willing to comply with the conditions upon which
the receiving depends.
As the child grows, the
father knows that his boy will need more than
food, clothing, and daily bread. He will need
companionship and fellowship. He will need the
counsel of understanding father. The son may not
himself realize how much he needs such help; but
the father knows and willingly does his best.
So with the Father in
Heaven. He gives bread for the body to all; and
to those who desire it He gives food for their
soul and mind. He liberally offers to all, but
many accept the temporal food and reject the
spiritual, to their eternal loss. God offers it
to them; He reaches out His hand to them, but
only a few meets the hand of God. What more can
God do? It grieves Him deeply when men reject His
offer.
Why pray? Not primarily
to get something out of God. Nothing is more
worthy of condemnation than cultivating
friendship for personal advantage. A sycophant is
merely a vampire in human form. A friendship must
not be used to extract gain.
Why pray? Because we are
friends of God. There is nothing holier than
friendship grounded in unselfish love. It is a
bit of heaven on earth, a foretaste of the
communion of saints in glory where the loves and
sympathies that God has implanted in the human
breast shall find fullest and freest expression.
Friendship
“Ye are My
friends,” says Christ. “Henceforth I
call you not servants; for the servant knoweth
not what his lord doeth: but I have called you
friends.” John 15:14,15. “Ye are My
friends.” Can anything be more glorious or
wonderful? To have a friend whom you can trust,
to whom you can speak freely, and to whom you can
open the deepest recesses of the heart and know
that he will understand; one who regards your
confidence as a solemn trust not to be divulged;
one to whom you can confide your most sacred
longings and ambitions and who will not in his
heart ridicule or belittle them; one in whose
heart is locked your love and who reciprocates
your feelings; one who will not mistrust you
though he may not understand and who will stand
by you when the world turns against you; one who
will refuse to suspect evil, though appearances
are against you; one who, though absent or far
away, remains the same; one who loves you though
he knows your weaknesses, who will traverse the
continent to be by your side in time of sorrow or
of need; one who will never leave you nor forsake
you – this is the ultimate in human
friendship!
If you have such a
friend, hold on to him. Let not storm or tempest,
rain, snow, fire, or water separate you from him;
cling to him in life and death; commune with him;
communicate with him; love him. We have such a
friend in Christ. Never forsake Him. He will not
forsake you.
Fellowship
Prayer is more than
talking with God or talking to Him. It is
fellowship with God, life with God. The highest
joy in fellowship or friendship is not found in
talking, but rather in the communion of spirits,
that transcends words. True friends may spend
precious seasons together without speaking a
word. Two may sit silently by the Oceanside, hand
in hand, and enjoy the sweet communion in
silence. Two may walk together through the woods
and enjoy communion with nature, with God, and
with each other without a word spoken. Two may
kneel in consecration, dedicating themselves to
God and to each other, and there will be perfect
understanding in the soul. There may be communion
of heart and spirit without any outward
recognition. Of words, there may be none; but
love, friendship, allegiance, are there, and
quiet joy and surpassing happiness. Those who
have had such experiences will understand the
story of two lifelong friends who as life’s
shadows were lengthening would sit together of an
afternoon without a word being spoken; and when
evening came, one would express the feeling of
both, “We have had a delightful time this
afternoon.” Those who understand this kind
of friendship will never ask, “Why
pray?”
Life with God may be
experienced here and now. Heaven is not merely a
future possession; it is present reality. My
dearest friends are far away; but I have never
been more conscious of, or rejoiced more in,
their love than at this moment. I know they love
me; I know that they are praying for me. In that
love and knowledge I rest.
There is no more
beautiful expression of the love of God than that
found in Zephaniah 3:17. “The Lord thy God
in the midst of thee is mighty; He will
save… He will rest in His love, He will joy
over thee with singing.” The picture is that
of a mother sitting quietly with her little one,
singing in her joy and resting in her love, while
the little one snuggles close to her breast. A
most beautiful scene of rest, contentment and
love. He is ever thinking of us. As the mother
quietly sings to her little one, so God sings in
His love for us. He rests in His love. It is the
height of peace and contentment for Him, whose
nature is love. How can we help loving Him who
first loved us? How can we help communing with
Him when we get a glimpse of God and the
fathomless love surrounding and enveloping Him?
Prayer is communion; prayer is life; prayer is
love, prayer is the breath of the soul. How can a
Christian live and not pray?
Coming
Home
When we get a clear view
of the great Father ‘s heart of love, we can
nevermore be disheartened or discouraged. God
rejoices over us with singing, eagerly waiting
the time when all the children shall be home.
Even now, He is rejoicing in anticipation of that
which is to come. He is happy in His love, and
preparing for the great event of the ages, the
homecoming of all the children of God in earth
and heaven. Even to God this is a great day.
While we are waiting for Christ to come, God is
waiting for us to come. Moreover, his love and
longing is even greater than ours. He has waited
a long time.
Therefore, we pray
because we need God, need His love and
fellowship, need His care and guidance. We pray
because we love Him who first loved us, and
because we love Him who first loved us, and
because we find in Him a satisfaction of the soul
not obtainable elsewhere. We pray not to get what
we want, but to find out what He
wants. We pray not to get Him to change His mind,
but to have our minds changed. We pray not to
have Him change His plans for us, but to ask Him
to help us willingly to accept His plans. We pray
not primarily to avoid pain, but strength to bear
it. We pray not to be taken out of the world, but
to be kept faithful while in it. We pray not to
escape hardship or trials, but for patience to
endure them. We pray not to escape work, but for
wisdom to know how to do it and do it well. We
pray, first and last, because we love Him who has
so loved us, because we treasure His fellowship
and that of the saints.
It is a sad fact that
many Christians praying is a task that must be
done, something that we ought to do, but
for which we have no true urge, something which
is a duty rather than a privilege. Such an
attitude is not confined to lukewarm Christians.
It is habitual with many persons who may be
considered good Christians. In many cases, this
can be traced to a dim conception of the meaning
of prayer and its possibilities. They say their
prayers; they recite them; they have not learned
to pour out their souls to God, and are getting
only a few crumbs when they might have a full
repast. Let such give study to prayer and its
possibilities. Let them add to their prayers
meditation. Let them learn to talk with God as
with a friend, and they will find reaches of
which they never dreamed.
Memory
Verse:
“Though He slay
me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15.
Questions:
- Love
is based on __________, not
________________________________.
There
is nothing holier than friendship grounded in
_______________________.
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