III. The prayer of faith is possible only on certain conditions of heart
III. The prayer of faith is possible only on certain conditions of heart
1. He who offers it must be righteous
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. God will not trust the gift of prevailing prayer with those who are discreditable in character or superficial in piety. The great men of prayer, from Abraham to William Taylor, have been godly, righteous men.
Indeed, a consciousness of being right with God is an indispensable qualification for successful prayer at all. Hence the apostle says: Whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in his sight.
If religious character is essential on the ordinary plane of prayer, how much more vital in the higher altitudes of supplication? It is only holy men whom God calls up into the mount alone with himself. Peter, James, and John were taken up by the Master to the heights of Tabor to learn the lesson of prevailing prayer, because spiritually eligible for it. A low state of Christian experience and a life of imperfect devotion to God disqualify us completely for becoming recipients of the gift of prayer. Not all who have been noted for piety have been called to be pre-eminent in prayer, but none have been noted for prayer who had not been pre-eminent for piety.
2. He who offers the prayer of faith must have faith in prayer
It is possible for one to be righteous and yet lack a profound faith in prayer itself. There are good men who have no adequate apprehension of the vital relation prayer has to Gods plans and purposes; who are not impressed with its immense worth; who think of it as a mere exercise, useful to the individual, rather than being a principle of the divine government; a law by which God has chosen to effect certain results. Hence they are skeptical of prayer as a real power, and appreciate it only as a gracious movement of the heart toward God. Now, God never bestows, even upon a righteous man, the power of prevailing prayer, who, for any cause, is incredulous respecting the largest possibilities of prayer as being at present available. Faith in prayer is indispensable to praying in faith. The little child that is able to comprehend the simple precepts and promises of Gods Word in respect to prayer may have a faith in prayer which will render it eligible to offer, as many a child has done, the prayer of faith. Indeed, these things are hidden from the wise and prudent, and are revealed unto babes. So the humble go on believing in prayer, and praying, believing, and see wonderful things, while the opinionated, skeptical, wise, good people go on praying, knowing none of these things in respect to prayer.
3.He who offers the prayer of faith must have the spirit of prayer
The habit of prayer, says Mr. Spurgeon truly, is good, but the spirit of prayer is better. This comprises an inclination to pray; a fondness for prayer; a continuous drawing out of the soul in prayer; so that, as one has said, I am not fifteen minutes without supplication rising in my soul to God. It is taking every thing to God in prayer, the soul spontaneously looking to God in care, duty, grief, service. One who has come into the spirit of holy communion with God will be fitted for the descent of the power of prevailing prayer upon him when God may choose to confer it upon him, as he doubtless will, at some times and in some measure. We do not believe any one can long live in the practice and spirit of prayer without sooner or later having imparted to his soul the ability to offer prevailing prayer for results which are beyond the reach of prayer as a gracious exercise. Here is the profession of faith which all devout hearts make that have been baptized with the spirit of prayer.
This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us; and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask we know we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Having such a spirit of prayer, the soul awaits in exultant expectation for God to do for it exceeding abundantly above all it now thinks or asks. That is, that God will both enlarge its asking and its receiving as well. This spirit of prayer is the only soil in which God will plant the gift of faith whence springs the prayer of faith.
Dear reader, may you live in the spirit of grace and supplication, and so be fitted to receive of the Lord the gift of prevailing prayer!