Stronger Prayer
by Gary Johnson
Technology keeps us continually connected with one another, whether near or far. In an instant, we know what is happening across town or across an ocean in another land. One such piece of news is that a movement of prayer is happening in different parts of the world. In various corners of the globe, God is moving with indescribable power because His people are moving to Him in prevailing prayer.
Yet can the same be said for the Church in America? To what degree are we compelled to move in God’s direction? Do we experience the person and power of God in our midst? Are lives being transformed by being transfixed on pursuing the Lord in fervent prayer – particularly when we pray and fast? What if we took God at His Word and we called to Him? “Call to me and I will answer you. I will show you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jer. 33:3). What if we followed the example of Jesus? We are capable of getting up while it is still dark to go off to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). It is said of the first-century church that “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). If they can devote themselves, we certainly can.
We can – and must – experience stronger prayer.
Think of it this way. Anorexia is a disease in which people think they are extremely overweight when, in reality, they physically waste away, eating very little – or nothing at all. Moreover, three observations stand out about anorexia: it’s serious, impartial, yet curable. Anorexia is so serious that people can die from complications of this disease. It is impartial in that anorexia knows no bounds. Anyone can struggle with anorexia: man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, etc. Yet the good news is that it is entirely curable. With intentional effort over time, people can end their struggle with anorexia.
In my 45 years as a Christ-follower, I have struggled with “anorexia of prayer,” thinking that I have a great prayer life when, in reality, I pray very little or not at all. Have you had the same struggle? If so, we need to understand that anorexia of prayer is serious, impartial, yet curable.
Anorexia of Prayer is Serious
When the prophet Samuel gave his farewell speech to the Israelites, he said, “But as for me, far be it from me, that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:23 emphasis added). Have you considered that a failure to pray is sin before God? We typically think that breaking one of the commands from God’s “top ten list” as being sinful. Thinking we have a great prayer-life when we actually pray little or not at all is sinful – and that makes this spiritual disease very serious.
Anorexia of Prayer is Impartial
Any Christian or congregation is susceptible to this disease. It is not a respecter of any Christian, young or old, a new believer or age-old saint. Any and all congregations can fall prey to anorexia of prayer; from a mega-church to a house-church, from a church merger to a church plant. Any church can become prayerless. The Apostle Paul planted a church that quickly experienced miracles in their midst, and that church was in Ephesus (Acts 19). Yet, soon after Paul left that church having been there for three years, even some of the elders began to teach false doctrine (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Tim 1:3). Not long after, Jesus said of the Church in Ephesus that they had fallen greatly as they had “forsaken their first love” (Rev 2:4). Spiritual apathy can infect any believer and any congregation. A prayerless church is powerless.
Anorexia of Prayer is Curable
Yet the good news is that this spiritual disease is completely curable. With intentional effort over time, anorexia of prayer can be eradicated from our midst. In John 9:1-7, Jesus healed the man born blind. He made some mud, put it in the man’s eyes and then told him to go and wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. He returned to Jesus with his full sight. Similarly, Jesus commanded the ten lepers to “go and show yourselves to the priest, and as they went, they were healed” (Luke 17:14 emphasis added). Jesus could have healed the blind man and the lepers instantly, yet it is important to note that in both instances, Jesus required them to make an effort in order to receive the blessing.
We live in a culture where people want something for nothing, even when it comes to our spirituality. To experience a powerful prayer life, we must make an effort. Jesus did. So did the early believers. So can we.
To experience stronger prayer, consider…
Pausing to pray periodically throughout the day (morning, noon and night). Bookend your day by praying before stepping foot out of bed and when you get into bed before falling asleep.
Start using a prayer list – and make entries for answers to your prayers!
Pray with your spouse before leaving the house for the day; pray with your children before they leave for school.
Pray a verse of Scripture over a situation – or even over a friend or family member. Praying Scripture back to the Speaker of the Word is some of the most powerful praying that we can lift up.
Try a new posture of prayer (on your knees, standing with uplifted hands), or a new place of prayer.
Practice the presence of God, imagining Him to be with you and speak with Him as you would a friend.
Read a book about prayer, such as Prayer and Fasting by David Roadcup and Michael Eagle or Praying Like Monks and Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton.
When the disciples of Jesus failed to heal a boy with a demonic spirit, they asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out? He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:28-29). They failed in ministry because they failed to pray. How many failures have I experienced in life because I have failed to pray? Far too many.
Anorexia of prayer – we think we have a great prayer life when in reality, we pray little or not at all.
Stronger prayer – just do it.
