12Feb 09
The Fight Against Prayerlessness!
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“The Greatest stumbling block in the way of victory over prayerlessness is the secret feeling that we will never obtain the blessing of being delivered from it.” By Andrew Murray
I have been greatly encouraged by a book called Prayer by Andrew Murray. It is a book that has compiled 6 of his books into one!
The book with in the book 
that I have been reading lately is “The Prayer Life” How convicting, thought provoking and motivating it has been.
We as American Christians don’t understand prayer. We look at it as a time waster instead of a time well spent. A question that Andrew Murray encouraged every follower of Christ to ask oneself is “What is the cause of my prayerlessness, of my powerlessness to effect any change in the matter? Here I live in the Spirit, I have been born again, but I do not walk after the Spirit– the flesh lords over me!”
The enemy will use all his power to lead us to neglect prayer. How does Satan do this? He brings on wandering thoughts, discouragement over our attempts, feelings of hopelessness, and despair. Tempting us to put it off. And the list could go on and on.
“As soon as the Christian becomes convinced of his sin in this matter of lack of prayer, his first thought is that he must begin to strive, with God’s help, to gain the victory over it. But alas, he soon experiences that his striving is worth little, and the discouraging thought comes over him, like a wave, that such a life is not for him – he cannot continue faithfully!” Have you ever experienced such thoughts and emotions? I know I have.
Andrew Murray shared two key ways to fighting against prayerlessness.
The first being when you seek to conquer prayerlessness in your own strength and ability it is then you must recognize it and turn your restlessness and effort over to Christ. We must fall helpless at the feet of the Lord Jesus and open up our hearts before him (Luke 11:1).
Matthew 11:29-30
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Second being, we must realize that this is but the beginning. To fight against prayerlessness it will require deep earnestness, the exercise of all your power and a watchfulness of the entire heart. You must be eager to detect the slightest backsliding of your heart. Confessing of your sins and sharing your burdens must be precious to you. Not because you always enjoy it but because you know it is so key in keep yourself pure and close to your Savior (James 5:16).
Let nothing between your soul and the Savior. Jesus alone can subdue the flesh and the devil! It is so key that we keep coming to Christ. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” If you truly desire a prayer life with the Lord that goes beyond words of description, it will require a surrender of something else. If you are not willing to forgive and to confess your sins then you will not be able to enter into and fully enjoy that closeness with your Lord and Savior
What is it that is holding you back from communing with God? A life of self-sacrifice is what God really wants, but are you willing to give up all for Christ?
Jennifer, I appreciate these words that do indeed, “provoke one another to love and good works.” Prayer is truly essential. And what an inspiration it has been to me, to have heard many over the recent weeks share how important it is for the Christian to be continuing instant in prayer….especially in tims like these!
This was a good book report. I hope I can find it at the library. I really would like to read it now.
Thanks for the review.
Thank you for posting that Jenny! This very morning I read an excerpt from Murray on prayerlessness. It was powerful. Let me add to your statement that prayer is not a time-waster and say that prayer is truly a time-saver! There are many cares, distractions, “good ideas”, plans and burdens that don’t really need to keep us from the simple service of Christ.
Excellent reminder Jennifer. It is one I need continuously. God is faithful to those He has called to allow situations and circumstances into their lives that have as there only solution, prayer. So even though I may sometimes be remiss in praying God is faithful to get me on my knees. Praise be to Him.
Yes prayer is so important. Thank you Jennifer for propounding this point. Excellent post!
Amen
I really appreciate the post on prayer. It is an excellent reminder of the importance of prayer.
Wow. I am really looking forward to my next quiet time with the Lord more than I was just five minutes ago! But this is so easy to forget. That is why we need reminders like this!
Wonderful exhortation Jennifer! One thing that has been an encouragement to me in this area is forming a prayer team with someone else of like heart and meeting together on a regular basis for prayer.