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Stoking the Flames of Persistent Prayer

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George Müller was an incredible pastor in Great Britain during the 19th century. Not only did he passionately preach the gospel, but he also lived out a phenomenal example of sacrificial investment in caring for the needs of the poor and the powerless. He led countless souls to the one who can provide rest and healing both spiritually and physically. Any cursory glance at his life reveals the power behind this man’s ministry was his devotion to prayer.

As we consider devotion to prayer, Müller’s life provides a powerful inspiration toward persistent prayer:

“‘In November 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without one single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land or on the sea, and whatever the pressure of my engagements might be.  Eighteen months elapsed before the first of the five was converted. I thanked God, and prayed on  for the others. Five years elapsed, and then the second one was converted. I thanked God for the second, and prayed on for the other three. Day by day I continued to pray for them and six years more passed before the third was converted. I thanks God for the three, and went on praying for the other two. These two remain unconverted. The man to whom God in the riches of His grace has given tens of thousands of answers to prayer, in the self-same hour or day on which they were offered, has been praying day by day for nearly thirty-six years for the conversion of these two individuals, and yet they remain unconverted; for next November it will be thirty-six years since I began to pray for their conversion. But I hope in God, I pray on, and look yet for the answer.’

*One of these persons was converted before Mr Müller’s death, and the other only gave clear evidence of conversion after Mr Müller had passed away.”

-“The Prayer Hearing God” by George Müller

May we all be devoted to prayer with the persistence of Müller.

Two Annoying Aspects of Prayer

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I’ll admit it. Making a bold shameless ask and being persistent in it makes me highly uncomfortable. I’ve never wanted to be perceived as taking advantage of others, overstaying my welcome, or pursuing my own desires over others’. Most likely, I don’t like these things because I find them highly annoying in other people particularly when accompanied by entitlement.

Yet, shamelessness and persistence are two aspects of prayer that Jesus calls us to in the book of Luke.

First, Jesus shares a story of a friend in need:

And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence [bold shamelessness] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” – Luke 11:5-13

Shamelessness flows from childlike faith not entitled pride. The person in the story pursued his friend’s help because he knew his friend’s character: avoiding shame at all costs. As for us, we can boldly and shamelessly ask God for all our needs and desires when we have a childlike faith in His character as our loving, gracious, and merciful heavenly Father. We don’t seek answers because we’ve earned them but because He is gracious.

Prayer is not cashing a paycheck, but trusting in grace.

Second, Jesus shares a story of a persistent widow:

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said,“In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” – Luke 18:1-8

Persistence flows from complete reliance not arrogant manipulation. The widow knew her only hope for justice was to go to the one who had the power to accomplish it. She recognized her powerlessness, embraced it, and relied completely upon the judge. She didn’t persist as some tactic to manipulate him, but out of her need for his grace. The same goes for our prayers to God.

Prayer is not a tool to manipulate God, but an exhibition of faith.

May we come to our heavenly Father as His sons and daughters with bold shamelessness and undying persistence and make our requests known to Him with expectant faith for how He will answer.

Gospel-Centered Prayer for Church-Wide Renewal

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Strategies for church growth and revitalization line the walls of Christian book stores. The methods vary as much as the stories that highlight them. Pragmatism is king in our society, and pastors tend to fall prey to this along with everyone else. Despite this tendency, many of these books are legitimately helpful and provide inspiration and insights for ministry. This post isn’t meant to be a bashing of church growth material, for while the materials can be a mixed bag, much good can be gained when read with discernment. The major problem with church growth material is not the content itself but the reader. Strategies are useful and even needed, but if this is where we begin, we have failed from the outset.

Church revitalization begins on our knees in prayer.

Martin Luther understood this well: “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.”

But we know this not because I say this or Martin Luther claims it, but rather because God promises renewal if we pray.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves,and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

-2 Chronicles 7:14

When our churches fail, when we stumble–even run–into sin, and when we grow cold in our love for Jesus, God calls us not to get to work but to come to Him. Why is it that we point people to grace for salvation and again as they fail individually, but when we are faced with a dying church that we immediately turn to the work we can do? God promises holistic renewal for our churches if we would devote ourselves to prayer not because our labor in prayer is a worthy work, but because prayer is a return to the Gospel.

2 Chronicles 7:14 clearly portrays God’s call to Gospel-centered prayer for the sake of renewal. Each act in this verse finds its beginning in prayer and gives us the clear shape of what our prayers should look like. Humbling ourselves begins with prayer to God exhibiting reliance upon him. Seeking God’s face begins with prayer that seeks a right relationship with God. Finally, turning from our wicked ways begins with prayer that turns our hearts toward God and away from sin.

Prayer is the most fundamental Gospel practice, and it’s the Gospel that is the power of God for salvation. As seen in this passage, prayer is fundamental because it exhibits three primary responses to the Gospel:

  1. Reliance – we admit and seek total reliance upon God.
  2. Right Relationship – we put idols aside and seek the face of God through the work of Christ.
  3. Repentance – we turn from sin by the grace of God.

So why does God call his people to prayer in order to experience renewal? Because biblical prayer drives us to meditate upon, experience, and practice the gospel in our lives.

Church revitalization begins on our knees in prayer. To begin anywhere else is to trust in something other than the Gospel. Will we devote ourselves to prayer or place our hopes in someone else?