Prayer and Promises

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, writes, “I am absolutely convinced that the number one reason that Christians today don’t pray more is because we do not grasp the connection between prayer and the promises of God. We are trying as individuals and churches to pray “because we are supposed to” without a living faith in the promises of God concerning prayer. No prayer life of any significance can be maintained by this “ought-to” approach. There must be faith in God at the bottom.” Cymbala hit the nail on the head! First, I have seen many who claim the promises of God and when the promises fail to appear, their faith is weakened, never thinking of asking for those promises. Some seem to take the approach that God owes us the promises made in his word. Secondly, any time we do something because we “ought to” and our heart is not in it, we will fail. Also, legalism is not far behind. Soon we will “have to” do it, and then we will have to do it a certain way. One of the great and difficult attributes of God is that he wants us to engage him and will not force us to engage him. Do you believe God wants to keep any of the numerous promises made to believers? Then we ought to be on our knees seeking the fulfillment of that promise with prayer.