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Prayerlessness Due to a Lack of Benefits?

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

In the previous post we considered how for many Christians prayerlessness isn’t due to ignorance. We know we should pray, that God commands it. Could it be because we don’t think it’s beneficial?

Can We Really Claim Prayerlessness is Due to a Lack of Benefits?

If we don’t pray because we fail to see its value, or benefit, then we have to reconcile the following:

Prayerlessness Not Due to Lack of Benefits in Praying — (Click to enlarge image in Pinterest & repin.)

1) God’s Word clearly promotes the benefits of praying.

Read the following verses for just a few of the many specific benefits of praying we find in Scripture:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Ps. 34:4)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 … even more in verses 13-18)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

Some of the benefits will be outward demonstrations of God’s power and grace. Others, equally if not more potent, may be internal results affecting our heart attitudes and perspective. There’s definitely something beneficial about prayer if we have a God who keeps His promises.

2) Many believers testify of answers to prayers, attesting to the benefits of praying.

Read through the Psalms for the psalmist’s testimony of God responding to his cries. Listen to fellow believers who have personally experienced God not only hearing but responding to their prayers (Jn. 14:13; 1 Jn. 5:14). There must be something beneficial about prayer or these people are either liars or the exception.

3) Even non-believers seem to value people praying for them.

If nothing else, many non-believers derive comfort and encouragement, a blessing, when a Christian says they will pray for them. There must be something beneficial about prayer for that to happen.

Perhaps rather than claiming a lack of benefits in praying, we must admit our failure to tap into those benefits due to prayerlessness. Surely, then, there must be other reasons why we don’t pray. We’ll look further in the next couple of posts.

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GO TO: More on Prayer

Prayerlessness Due to Ignorance?

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

To be sure, we live in a Bible illiterate world. Even many Christians lack a good or thorough knowledge of God’s Word. Yet, for many believers, prayerlessness is not due to ignorance. Most of us concur with the importance of prayer and the need to make it a priority. Even unbelievers tend to appreciate prayer offered on their behalf, particularly when going through crisis.

Prayerlessss Due to Ignorance of God’s Commands to Pray?

Verses like the following, written as commands rather than suggestions, exhort us to make prayer a constant priority in our lives:

God Commands Us to Pray, Prayerlessness not an Option Devote yourselves to prayer. (Col. 4:2)

Pray continually. (1 Thess. 5:17)

Always keep on praying for all the saints. (Eph. 6:18)

Prayerlessss Due to Ignorance of what to pray?

Many Christians at least know what has come to be known as the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11:1-5, a pattern Jesus provided in response to the disciples’ request for Him to teach them to pray.

But, prayer really isn’t complicated. Simply “pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Ps. 62:8). Jesus stressed how praying isn’t to be about the quantity of our words or eloquence in how we speak but merely being real with God (Matt. 6:1-8).

We don’t need a degree in theology to pray. We don’t have to be “spiritual giants” to pray. Even new believers who know very little about God and His Word can pray.

So, if for many or most of us, prayerlessness isn’t due to ignorance, then why don’t we pray? In the next three posts we’ll continue to respond to that question. Subscribe to receive e-mail notice of new posts.

Check out this Resource: Prayer Bits: Small Bits But Big Truths on Prayer Devotional

Wisdom’s Outcomes Contrasted

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We know we need wisdom to navigate today’s world, to make the most of every opportunity. But, there’s a big difference at their very core between spiritual wisdom versus earthly wisdom. A faulty or weak foundation leads to unsatisfactory, even devastating, results. The bad outcome may not evidence itself immediately, perhaps not until far into the future, but ultimately a poor foundation fails to hold up.

The Immediate Outcome of Spiritual Wisdom Contrasted with Earthly Wisdom

When we try to live the Christian life using earthly wisdom, or when we try to operate the church on the basis on earthly wisdom, we usually end up with duty … regulations that “have the appearance of wisdom” but lack power and prudence to protect us from sin (Col. 2:20-23). We put undue burdens on ourselves that pull us down rather than lift us up.

But, when we look to the Lord for wisdom and walk in His ways personally and as a church, we end up with delight … for His wisdom is “like honey for you”, sweet to your soul, and “there is a future hope for you” (Prov. 10:23; 24:14) which results in an ability to thrive even in difficult circumstances.

Applying God’s wisdom in life may not always produce pleasant results right now because we live in a fallen world that opposes God and His ways. But, regardless of the immediate consequences that come from decisions based on spiritual wisdom, we have the peace, comfort, and hope needed to make it. We can face a lot of negativity and adversity when it is well with our souls.

Think about it: Which is better — internal or external results?

The Long Term Outcomes of Spiritual Wisdom Contrasted with Earthly Wisdom

We might struggle to apply spiritual wisdom rather than earthly wisdom because of the immediate outcome. Sometimes decisions born out of spiritual wisdom don’t always produce the immediate results we want whereas earthly wisdom might. We can regain perspective if we look at the long term outcomes.

The long-term outcome of spiritual wisdom? — deliverance (Prov. 2:12; 4:6; 28:26)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Pet. 5:10)

The long-term outcome of earthly wisdom? — destruction (Prov. 10:14; 14:11-12)

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (Prov. 14:12)

Think about it: Which is better — temporal or eternal results?

It just doesn’t make sense to trust in ourselves or to walk in the ways of the world (earthly wisdom) when God’s ways (spiritual wisdom) ultimately lead to the right outcome. Let’s not be deceived into missing out on God’s best because of shortsightedness. Remember God’s word in Isaiah 55:9 — “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Resources on Wisdom:

Wisdom’s Foundation Contrasted

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

In the previous post we considered how we need wisdom to make it in today’s world. The Source of that wisdom matters. We all can look around us and see where earthly wisdom gets us.

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. (Prov. 14:12)

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. (Prov. 28:26)

While foolishness may guise itself as wisdom, the contrast between earthly and spiritual wisdom becomes evident in its outcome — the topic of the next post. Here we want to contrast the foundations on which earthly versus spiritual wisdom are based due to their effect on the outcome.

Foundation of Spiritual Wisdom Contrasted with Earthly Wisdom

For each point listed below you will see the contrast of spiritual versus earthly wisdom. It shouldn’t take long to grasp how the source of wisdom truly does matter.

1) The source of wisdom determines its trustworthiness and reliability.

The source of spiritual wisdom: Divine (God)
Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 1 Cor. 2:10-16
The source of earthly wisdom: Devil (Satan)
James 3:13-15

— In whom does it make the most sense to put your trust?

2) The source of wisdom determines the foundation upon which all else is built.

The basis of spiritual wisdom: discernment (because God Himself is wise)
Ps. 90:12; Prov. 8:12; 10:13; 14:6, 8; 1 Cor. 2:14-15
The basis of earthly wisdom: deception (because Satan is a deceiver)
Prov. 14:8; 1 Cor. 3:18-19

— On what does it make the most sense to base your decisions?

The parable of the wise man building his house on the rock and the foolish man on the sand brings home this reality. (Take some time to read Matt. 7:24-27.) — The foundation matters. The wisdom we need for everyday living must originate from the right source if we want to see the right outcomes.

Wisdom Needed

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Who can dispute our need for wisdom in today’s world? We need wisdom for how to . . .

manage money (or lack of it)
raise today’s children and teens
keep marriages from falling apart
gracefully cope with aging
deal with moral decline
wisdom for how to . . . fill in the blank . . .

Wisdom Always Needed

Though our world is far different than it used to be, our need for wisdom to cope with life hasn’t changed. King Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs, addressed issues similar to those listed above. The book begins,

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; or giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance … (Prov. 1:1-5)

The book continues with nuggets of wisdom pertaining to everyday living still relevant today.

Wisdom Needed Today from the Same Source as Then

Though we experience a far different world than it used to be, our source of wisdom hasn’t changed. King Solomon continued,

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge … (Prov. 1:7)

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 2:6)

Depth of God's Wisdom Needed Today We can’t begin to fully understand and tap into the wisdom of God (Rom. 11:33).

By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. (Prov. 3:19-20)

Yet, we have His assurance that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). So, it only makes sense to “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Check out this Devotional Guide Based on Proverbs: Walk the Walk in Wisdom

Struggle to Walk the Walk?

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Ministry Tools Resource Center

Walking the Walk Devotionals — (Click on image for devotionals about Walking the Walk.)

Previously we compared the Christian life to a walk — a process involving steady movement forward.

But, for some, the Christian walk seems to be more like one step forward and two steps back — a real struggle. Others seem to keep losing their balance and often fall — a life filled with ups and downs.

Why is walking the walk a struggle?

Continuing to liken the Christian walk to physical walking, we can find a few reasons walking the walk might be a struggle.

Maturity: You are either a new Christian or haven’t sufficiently matured.

Newborns haven’t developed the muscle strength to hold themselves up. Even with assistance, they just don’t have the ability to walk. As children grow and get stronger, they need to learn to walk. At first they must really focus or concentrate on each step, overcoming fears and insecurities. They fall but get up and try again until eventually they don’t have to concentrate near so much and they become steadier and steadier as they walk.

The Need for Walking Spiritually: Grow and keep growing through the study of God’s Word so you develop spiritual muscles (Heb. 5:14; Phil. 3:12-14).

Blockage or Disease Affecting the Brain: Sin is blocking fellowship or communication with the Head, affecting your ability to walk. (Isa. 59:1-2)

Since the brain controls our movement, anything preventing proper communication between the brain and our legs will affect our ability to walk.

The Need for Christian Walk: Apply God’s RX: Repent, confess your sin (1 Jn. 1:5-7) and then grab hold of God’s grace and power to rid yourself of sin (Rom. 6:11-18; Titus 2:11-12).

Heart Problems: An divided heart can cause problems. (Ps. 86:11; 1 Kings 8:58)

Physically, a bad heart can cause us to get out of breath as we walk. Such difficulties can make walking difficult. Yet, walking can actually strengthen the heart and as it does, it becomes less of a struggle, if we persevere.

The Need for Walking the Walk as Christians: Pay attention to the condition of your heart above external conformity. Ask God to teach you and turn your heart wholeheartedly toward Him (1 Kings 8:58; Ps. 86:11). Above all, guard your heart (Prov. 4:23).