Why do we make praying so difficult? Let the pastor announce he’s planning to bring a sermon on prayer, and half the congregation looks for reasons to be out that day.
None of us pray all that well, to be sure. Even the best of us. How do I know that? Because the Bible says so–
We do not know how to pray as we should (Romans 8:26).
There it is, in black and white. In the Holy Book itself.
Must be true.
Now, I knew I didn’t know much about prayer. And I sort of figured you have similar problems with praying. But what a surprise to find out the great apostle himself admits to having difficulties praying.
It appears God is asking us to do something none of us do well.
Let’s talk about this. I’m glad to see Scripture actually addresses the matter.
Let’s start with this–
Scripture tells us God has taken all the work out of prayer.
Romans 8 says that–
–Romans 8:26-27 informs us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
–Romans 8:34 says the Lord Jesus is in Heaven interceding for us.
–and Romans 8:31 says God the Father is for us.
We’ve got it made, friend. When we turn to God in prayer, we are not talking to a hostile judge like the widow in Luke 18. That judge was indifferent to her, angry about her interruptions, he despised her, and he finally gave in to her requests only after she made him miserable enough.
The One we address in prayer is not indifferent to us. He is our heavenly Father. And He is on our side.
–On our side? Yes indeed. That’s what John 3:16 is all about. And Romans 5:8. And First John 3:1-3. And the rest of the entire New Testament.
–He has made prayer easy? Sure. What’s hard about entering the presence of our Father to talk about matters?
–In fact, it’s even more than easy. There is a wonderful promise back in the Old Testament that I love. It’s in Isaiah 56.
To the ‘foreigners” and “eunuchs”–two groups excluded from temple worship in OT days– God spoke in Isaiah 56:7. He sees a time in the future–when Jesus comes and the veil of the temple is rent!–when they will be welcome in His house, says the Lord.
In fact, He says, “I will make them joyful in my house of prayer.” That’s the plan.
Don’t rush past that. God wants people to be joyful in His house. Oh, and it’s a house of prayer. (This, you will recall, is where the Lord Jesus got that statement when He cleansed the temple. The first three gospels tell of it. As He drove the money-changers and animal-sellers from the temple, He said, “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations” That’s a direct quotation from Isaiah 56:7. Then He added, But you have made it a den of thieves, a quote from Jeremiah 7:11.)
Question: When was the last time you were joyful in God’s house because of the praying? The Father thought you should be.
Now, the question before us today is IF GOD HAS TAKEN ALL THE WORK OUT OF PRAYER, AND IF GOD THINKS PRAYING TO HIM SHOULD BE JOYFUL, WHY THEN IS PRAYER SO DIFFICULT FOR MANY OF US?
And Romans 8 answers that question.
The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God. For it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so. That’s Romans 8:7.
The next verse goes on to say, Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So that’s the problem.
This explains a thousand things about many of us. It explains why we have to make ourselves read the Bible. Why we give begrudgingly to the Lord’s work. Why we never share our faith with outsiders. Why even going to church is a chore for many of us. And I’m talking about you. People sitting in the pews every Sunday claiming to be born again, assuring the family you are saved, and planning on going to Heaven.
And yet you have to make yourself do godly things.
Something is badly wrong.
What’s wrong is that you and I are still in the flesh. In our natural state, we are carnally minded. And that mind is hostile to the things of God.
Now, I am not saying you are unsaved. That’s a matter between yourself and the Savior. And I am not qualified to judge, and thankful that I don’t have to.
But look at this…
If you then have been raised with Christ, set your affection on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on things on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3).
This scripture refers to a daily choice God’s people should make.
In a wedding ceremony, I will often tell the couple that they should get up tomorrow morning and choose each other all over again. And do the same the next day. Every day.
Likewise, every day of my life, I should get up and choose to live for Christ.
Every day of my life, I should die to self. I die daily, said the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians 15:31.
Every day I should surrender to Jesus.
Every day I should choose joy.
We remember the call of Joshua in Joshua 24:15: Choose you this day whom you shall serve! He was talking to God’s people, not to the pagans.
Every day you should do that.
The mind naturally reverts to a place of unbelief if left alone, my friend. So, we have to reset it every morning when we begin our day.
Have you discovered that you mind is hostile to God? Put it on the cross today. And when the rebellious mindset shows up tomorrow morning, insisting that it does not want to pray or go to church or read God’s word, send it to the cross again. Do it continually.
Perhaps you have discovered this little secret: The old self does not give up finally and throw in the towel. No sirree. It will fight you to the end. I can assure you that the great saints of old–a Martin Luther or Charles Haddon Spurgeon or Dwight L. Moody or Corrie ten Boom–battled the temptations and laziness of the flesh all the way home.
That’s how it’s done, friend.
You live the Christian life one day at a time.
(Editor's Note: This blog was posted first on Dr. McKeever's blog site HERE.)
