Part 4 (1/2)

We are comforted by the fact that ”the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not how to pray as we ought” (Rom. viii. 26) How does the Spirit ”help” us, teach us, if not by example as well as by precept? How does the Spirit ”pray”? ”The Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom. viii. 26). Does the Spirit ”agonize” in prayer as the Son did in Gethsemane?

If the Spirit prays in us, shall we not share His ”groanings” in prayer? And if our agonizing in prayer weakens our body at the time, will angels come to strengthen us, as they did our Lord? (Luke xxii. 43.) We may, perhaps, like Nehemiah, weep, and mourn, and fast when we pray before G.o.d (Neh. i. 4).

”But,” one asks, ”may not a G.o.dly sorrow for sin and a yearning desire for the salvation of others induce in us an agonizing which is unnecessary, and dishonoring to G.o.d?”

May it not reveal a lack of faith in G.o.d's promises? Perhaps it may do so. But there is little doubt that St. Paul regarded prayer --at least sometimes --as a conflict (see Rom. xv. 30). In writing to the Colossian Christians he says: ”I would have you know how greatly I strive for you . . . and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts may be comforted” (Col. ii. 1, 2). Undoubtedly he refers to his prayers for them.

Again, he speaks of Epaphras as one who is ”always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect, and fully a.s.sured in all the will of G.o.d” (Col. iv. 12).

The word for ”strive” is our word ”agonize,” the very word used of our Lord being ”in an agony” when praying Himself (Luke xxii. 44).

The apostle says again, Epaphras ”hath much labor for you,” that is, in his prayers. St. Paul saw him praying there in prison, and witnessed his intense striving as he engaged in a long, indefatigable effort on behalf of the Colossians. How the Praetorian guard to whom St. Paul was chained must have wondered --yes, and have been deeply touched --to see these men at their prayers. Their agitation, their tears, their earnest supplications as they lifted up chained hands in prayer must have been a revelation to him! What would they think of our prayers?

No doubt St. Paul was speaking of his own custom when he urged the Ephesian Christians and others ”to stand,” ”with all prayer and supplication, praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and on my behalf . . . an amba.s.sador in chains.” (Eph. vi. 18-20). That is a picture of his own prayer-life, we may be sure.

So then prayer meets with obstacles, which must be prayed away. That is what men mean when they talk about praying through. We must wrestle with the machinations of Satan. It may be bodily weariness or pain, or the insistent claims of other thoughts, or doubt, or the direct a.s.saults of spiritual hosts of wickedness. With us, as with St. Paul, prayer is something of a ”conflict,” a ”wrestle,” at least sometimes, which compels us to ”stir” ourselves up ”to lay hold on G.o.d” (Isa. Ixiv. 7). Should we be wrong if we ventured to suggest that very few people ever wrestle in prayer? Do we? But let us never doubt our Lord's power and the riches of His grace.

The author of The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life told a little circle of friends, just before her death, of an incident in her own life. Perhaps I may be allowed to tell it abroad. A lady friend who occasionally paid her a visit for two or three days was always a great trial, a veritable tax upon her temper and her patience. Every such visit demanded much prayer-preparation. The time came when this ”critical Christian” planned a visit for a whole week! She felt that nothing but a whole night of prayer could fortify her for this great testing. So, providing herself with a little plate of biscuits, she retired in good time to her bedroom, to spend the night on her knees before G.o.d, to beseech Him to give her grace to keep sweet and loving during the impending visit. No sooner had she knelt beside her bed than there flashed into her mind the words of Phil. iv. 19: ”G.o.d shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Her fears vanished. She said, ”When I realized that, I gave Him thanks and praised Him for His goodness. Then I jumped into bed and slept the night through. My guest arrived the next day, and I quite enjoyed her visit.

No one can lay down hard and fast rules of prayer, even for himself. G.o.d's gracious Holy Spirit alone can direct us moment by moment. There, however, we must leave the matter. G.o.d is our judge and our Guide. But let us remember that prayer is a many-sided thing. As Bishop Moule says, ”True prayer can be uttered under innumerable circ.u.mstances.” Very often Prayer is the burden of a sigh The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye When none but G.o.d is near.

It may be just letting your request be made known unto G.o.d (Phil. iv. 6). We cannot think that prayer need always be a conflict and a wrestle. For if it were, many of us would soon become physical wrecks, suffering from nervous breakdown, and coming to an early grave.

And with many it is a physical impossibility to stay any length of time in a posture of prayer. Dr. Moule says: ”Prayer, genuine and victorious, is continually offered without the least physical effort or disturbance. It is often in the deepest stillness of soul and body that it wins its longest way. But there is another side of the matter. Prayer is never meant to be indolently easy, however simple and reliant it may be. It is meant to be an infinitely important transaction between man and G.o.d. And therefore, very often . . . it has to be viewed as a work involving labor, persistence, conflict, if it would be prayer indeed.”

No one can prescribe for another. Let each be persuaded in his own mind how to pray, and the Holy Spirit will inspire us and guide us how long to pray. And let us all be so full of the love of G.o.d our Savior that prayer, at all times and in all places, may be a joy as well as a means of grace.

Shepherd Divine, our wants relieve In this and every day; To all Thy tempted followers give The power, to watch and pray.

The spirit of interceding grace Give us the faith to claim; To wrestle till we see Thy face And know Thy hidden Name.

Chapter 8: DOES G.o.d ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER?.

WE now come to one of the most important questions that any man can ask. Very much depends upon the answer we are led to give. Let us not shrink from facing the question fairly and honestly. Does G.o.d always answer prayer?

Of course, we all grant that He does answer prayer --some prayers, and sometimes. But does He always answer true prayer. Some so-called prayers He does not answer, because He does not hear them. When His people were rebellious, He said, ”When ye make many prayers, I will not hear” (Isa. i. 15).

But a child of G.o.d ought to expect answers to prayer. G.o.d means every prayer to have an answer; and not a single real prayer can fail of its effect in heaven.

And yet that wonderful declaration of St. Paul: ”All things are yours, for ye are Christ's” (I Cor. iii. 21), seems so plainly and so tragically untrue for most Christians. Yet it is not so. They are ours, but so many of us do not possess our possessions. The owners of Mount Morgan, in Queensland, toiled arduously for years on its barren slopes, eking out a miserable existence, never knowing that under their feet was one of the richest sources of gold the world has ever known. There was wealth, vast, undreamt of, yet unimagined and unrealized. It was ”theirs,” yet not theirs.

The Christian, however, knows of the riches of G.o.d in glory in Christ Jesus, but he does not seem to know how to get them.

Now, our Lord tells us that they are to be had for the asking. May He indeed give us all a right judgment in ”prayer-things.” When we say that no true prayer goes unanswered we are not claiming that G.o.d always gives just what we ask for. Have you ever met a parent so foolish as to treat his child like that? We do not give our child a red-hot poker because he clamors for it!

Wealthy people are the most careful not to allow their children much pocketmoney.

Why, if G.o.d gave us all we prayed for, we should rule the world, and not He!

And surely we would all confess that we are not capable of doing that. Moreover, more than one ruler of the world is an absolute impossibility!

G.o.d's answer to prayer may be ”Yes,” or it may be ”No.” It may be ”Wait,” for it may be that He plans a much larger blessing than we imagined, and one which involves other lives as well as our own.

G.o.d's answer is sometimes ”No.” But this is not necessarily a proof of known and wilful sin in the life of the suppliant, although there may be sins of ignorance. He said ”No” to St. Paul sometimes (II Cor. xii. 8, 9). More often than not the refusal is due to our ignorance or selfishness in asking. ”For we know not how to pray as we ought” (Rom. viii. 26). That was what was wrong with the mother of Zebedee's children. She came and wors.h.i.+pped our Lord and prayed to Him. He quickly replied, ”Ye know not what ye ask” (Matt. xx. 22). Elijah, a great man of prayer, sometimes had ”No” for an answer. But when he was swept up to glory in a chariot of fire, did he regret that G.o.d said ”No” when he cried out ”O Lord, take away my life”?

G.o.d's answer is sometimes ”Wait.” He may delay the answer because we are not yet fit to receive the gift we crave --as with wrestling Jacob. Do you remember the famous prayer of Augustine --”O G.o.d, make me pure, but not now”? Are not our prayers sometimes like that? Are we always really willing to ”drink the cup” --to pay the price of answered prayer? Sometimes He delays so that greater glory may be brought to Himself.

G.o.d's delays are not denials. We do not know why He sometimes delays the answer and at other times answers ”before we call” (Isa. lxv. 24). George Muller, one of the greatest men of prayer of all time, had to pray over a period of more than sixty-three years for the conversion of a friend! Who can tell why? ”The great point is never to give up until the answer comes,” said Muller. ”I have been praying for sixty-three years and eight months for one man's conversion. He is not converted yet, but he will be! How can it be otherwise? There is the unchanging promise of Jehovah, and on that I rest.” Was this delay due to some persistent hindrance from the devil? (Dan. x. 13). Was it a mighty and prolonged effort on the part of Satan to shake or break Muller's faith? For no sooner was Muller dead than his friend was converted --even before the funeral.

Yes, his prayer was granted, though the answer tarried long in coming. So many of George Muller's pet.i.tions were granted him that it is no wonder that he once exclaimed, ”Oh, how good, kind, gracious and condescending is the One with Whom we have to do! I am only a poor, frail, sinful man, but He has heard my prayers ten thousands of times.”

Perhaps some are asking, How can I discover whether G.o.d's answer is ”No” or ”Wait”? We may rest a.s.sured that He will not let us pray sixty-three years to get a ”No”! Muller's prayer, so long repeated, was based upon the knowledge that G.o.d ”willeth not the death of a sinner”; ”He would have all men to be saved” (I Tim. ii. 4).

Even as I write, the postman brings me an ill.u.s.tration of this. A letter comes from one who very rarely writes me, and did not even know my address --one whose name is known to every Christian worker in England. A loved one was stricken down with illness. Is he to continue to pray for her recovery? Is G.o.d's answer ”No,” or is it, ”Go on praying --wait”? My friend writes: ”I had distinct guidance from G.o.d regarding my beloved . . . that it was the will of G.o.d she should be taken . . . I retired into the rest of surrender and submission to His will. I have much to praise G.o.d for.” A few hours later G.o.d took that loved one to be with Him in glory.

Again may we urge our readers to hold on to this truth: true prayer never goes unanswered.

If we only gave more thought to our prayers we should pray more intelligently. That sounds like a truism. But we say it because some dear Christian people seem to lay their common sense and reason aside before they pray. A little reflection would show that G.o.d cannot grant some prayers. During the war every nation prayed for victory. Yet it is perfectly obvious that all countries could not be victorious. Two men living together might pray, the one for rain and the other for fine weather. G.o.d cannot give both these things at the same time in the same place!

But the truthfulness of G.o.d is at stake in this matter of prayer. We have all been reading again those marvelous prayer-promises of our Lord, and have almost staggered at those promises --the wideness of their scope, the fullness of their intent, the largeness of the one word ”Whatsoever.” Very well!

”Let G.o.d be found true” (Rom. iii. 4). He certainly will always be ”found true.”

Do not stop to ask the writer if G.o.d has granted all his prayers. He has not. To have said ”Yes” to some of them would have spelt curse instead of blessing. To have answered others was, alas! a spiritual impossibility --he was not worthy of the gifts he sought. The granting, of some of them would but have fostered spiritual pride and self-satisfaction. How plain all these things seem now, in the fuller light of G.o.d's Holy Spirit!

As one looks back and compares one's eager, earnest prayers with one's poor, unworthy service and lack of true spirituality, one sees how impossible it was for G.o.d to grant the very things He longed to impart! It was often like asking G.o.d to put the ocean of His love into a thimble-heart! And yet, how G.o.d just yearns to bless us with every spiritual blessing! How the dear Savior cries again and again, ”How often would I . . . but ye would not”! (Matt. xxiii. 37.) The sadness of it all is that we often ask and do not receive because of our unworthiness --and then we complain because G.o.d does not answer our prayers! The Lord Jesus declares that G.o.d gives the Holy Spirit --who teaches us how to pray --just as readily as a father gives good gifts to his children. But no gift is a ”good gift” if the child is not fit to use that gift. G.o.d never gives us something that we cannot, or will not, use for His glory (I am not referring to talents, for we may abuse or ”bury” those, but to spiritual gifts).

Did you ever see a father give his baby boy a razor when he asked for it, because he hoped the boy would grow into a man and then find the razor useful? Does a father never say to his child, ”Wait till you are older, or bigger, or wiser, or better, or stronger”? May not our loving heavenly Father also say to us, ”Wait”? In our ignorance and blindness we must surely sometimes say, In very love refuse Whate'er Thou seest Our weakness would abuse.

Rest a.s.sured that G.o.d never bestows tomorrow's gift today. It is not unwillingness on His part to give. It is not that G.o.d is ever straitened in Himself. His resources are infinite, and His ways are past finding out. It was after bidding His disciples to ask that our Lord goes on to hint not only at His providence, but at His resources. ”Look at the wild birds” (Matt. vi. 26, Moffatt); ”your heavenly Father feedeth them.” How simple it sounds. Yet have you ever reflected that not a single millionaire, the wide world over, is wealthy enough to feed all ”the birds of the air,” even for one day? Your heavenly Father feedeth them every day, and is none the poorer for it. Shall He not much more feed you, clothe you, take care of you?

Oh, let us rely more upon prayer! Do we not know that ”He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”? (Hebrews xi. 6.) The ”oil” of the Holy Spirit will never cease to flow so long as there are empty vessels to receive it (I Kings iv. 6). It is always we who are to blame when the Spirit's work ceases. G.o.d cannot trust some Christians with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. G.o.d cannot trust some workers with definite spiritual results in their labors. They would suffer from pride and vainglory. No! we do not claim that G.o.d grants every Christian everything he prays for.

As we saw in an earlier Chap., there must be purity of heart, purity of motive, purity of desire, if our prayers are to be in His name. G.o.d is greater than His promises, and often gives more than either we desire or deserve --but He does not always do so. So, then, if any specific pet.i.tion is not granted, we may feel sure that G.o.d is calling us to examine our hearts. For He has undertaken to grant every prayer that is truly offered in His name. Let us repeat His blessed words once more --we cannot repeat them too often --”Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, that will I do” (John xiv. 13, 14).

Remember that it was impossible for Christ to offer up any prayer which was not granted. He was G.o.d --He knew the mind of G.o.d --He had the mind of the Holy Spirit.

Does He once say, ”Father, if it be possible, let. . .” as He kneels in agony in Gethsemane's garden, pouring out strong crying and tears? Yes, and ”He was heard for His reverential awe” (Heb. v. 7, Dr. Moule). Surely not the ”agony,” but the son-like fear, gained the answer? Our prayers are heard not so much because they are importunate but because they are filial.

Brother Christian, we cannot fully understand that hallowed scene of dreadful awe and wonder. But this we know --that our Lord never yet made a promise which He cannot keep, or does not mean to fulfil. The Holy Spirit maketh intercession for us (Rom. viii. 26), and G.o.d cannot say Him ”Nay.” The Lord Jesus makes intercession for us (Hebrews vii. 25), and G.o.d cannot say Him ”Nay.” His prayers are worth a thousand of ours, but it is He who bids us pray!