On the front cover of his numerous diaries and journals Wesley wrote: "I resolve to devote an hour morning and evening to private prayer, no pretense, no excuse whatsoever; and to converse face to face with God, no lightness, no facetiousness."
During the 1980’s, more than 17,000 members of a major evangelical denomination were surveyed about their prayer habits while attending seminars on prayer for spiritual awakening. Because they attended this kind of seminar, we can assume these people are above average in their interest in prayer. And yet, the surveys revealed that they pray an average of less than 5 minutes each day. There were two thousand pastors and wives at these same seminars. By their own admission, they pray less than 7 minutes each day.
This may be bold, but there are a couple of things people might lie about when put on the spot, their weight and for Christians, if they pray. I believe very, very few Christians actually pray face to face with God.
Jackie and I pray together for about 15 minutes in the morning. Throughout the day I will talk to God as I encounter people and situations. I wonder what my life would be like if my dedication to prayer resembled Wesley's. God help me!
It is very easy to make people feel guilt about failure in prayer, and that’s not the intent. But we must come to grips with the fact that we must pray.
PRAYER IS EXPECTED
Jesus Expected Us to Pray
Mt 6:5 “And when you pray…”
Mt 6:6 “But when you pray…”
Mt 6:7 “And when you pray…”
Mt 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray…”
Lk 11:9 “Ask…see…knock…”
Lk 18:1 “Then Jesus told his disciples…they should always pray.”
1 Thess “Pray continually.”
“As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.” Martin Luther
Why do so many disciples of Jesus confess that they do not pray as they should?
- A lack of discipline. Not planned, no time allotted. Gets crowded out by things more urgent.
- Doubt it will help
- A lack of sensing the presence of God
- Little awareness of real need
- “…apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
- Have not learned about prayer
PRAYER IS LEARNED
“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
O loving God, my heavenly Father, in this time of prayer come to me. Speak words of life and love into the depths of my being. I love you, my God, Truly I love you!
