Andrew Murray describes prayer as “the link that connects us to God.” If it is true that “saints have failed to pray”, as brother L. O. Sanderson observed in his timeless song about prayer, then we have one reason why so many feel so religiously disconnected. While the benefits of prayer are widely-heralded, the actual number of people who consistently practice meaningful and vibrant prayer may be significantly smaller than what we care to imagine.
Effective prayer is a blessing available for those who abide in Christ and His word (Jn. 15:7). Devotion to prayer reveals an underlying connectedness to God. Neglecting prayer stifles spiritual growth and results in an unfruitful life, isolated from the Lord (Jn. 15:2, 4).
“But prayer” can make all the difference because it is our link to God. So often the reason we “do have not” is because “we do not ask” or “ask with wrong motives” (Jas. 4:2-3). But when we connect with God in prayer, amazing results are possible, not only in meeting specific needs but also in drawing us closer to Him. Remember that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…” (Eph. 3:20).
This promise is illustrated by what happened following the death of James, the apostle. Herod put James to death by the sword and when “he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also” who was delivered over to “four squads of soldiers to guard him” (Acts 12:3, 4). This, no doubt, was a very troubling time for the early church. It was likely Herod’s intent to keep Peter in prison until the next day when he would be brought out before the people and executed in a similar manner as James, the brother of John (Acts 12:4-5).
“But prayer” are the two words that describe the force which changed the course of human events on that occasion. The inspired account says, “but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God” (Acts 12:5). In response to their prayers, God sent an angel who delivered Peter out of prison. The disciples could hardly believe that Peter was the one who had been knocking at the door where they had gathered for prayer! (vss. 13-16). This was no happy coincidence. Fervent prayer was the link that connected the disciples to the limitless power of God. Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is Jesus who says that “at all times” we “ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Lk. 18:1).