Devoted to prayer

The believers in the early church were of one mind and continually devoted themselves to prayer. Acts 1:14. In the same way, the apostle Paul told the Philippians that he was 'always offering prayer' on their behalf. Phil 1:4. We can learn to pray from the youngest years. Our prayers do not become more effective as we get older and more sophisticated! It is not a question of cognitive or intellectual development. King David instructed his son Solomon to 'know the God of your father and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind'. 1 Chron 28:9.

Statistics say that one in twelve children will break away from the things that they have been raised in. We don’t know at what age Solomon became the king of Israel. But we do know that King David encouraged Solomon to know the God of his father. For this to happen, David would have needed to talk to his son about the Lord. In the book of Deuteronomy, fathers were instructed to diligently teach the ways of the Lord to their children. 'You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.' Deut 6:6-9. Of course, there is no need to force Scripture down our children's necks! We simply need to talk about the Lord and teach children to pray.

David told Solomon that 'the Lord searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts'. 1 Chron 28:9. When we are praying and seeking the Lord, He is searching our heart. Even when we're not doing well and are struggling, when our attitude is not right when our heart is not at peace, He understands all the intent of our thoughts. We can be encouraged that prayer will make the intent of our thoughts pure. We can't continue to pray with an angry or impure heart. We can't pray with hatred in our hearts. When we begin to pray, the Lord will search us and He will plumb the depths of our inward parts. David continued to encourage his son, 'If you seek Him, He will let you find Him'. 1 Chron 28:9. There are definitely seasons in our lives when we find the Lord more readily. We find Him in seasons of adversity and trouble because we give Him our full attention at these times. In the psalms, David encouraged us to pray to the Lord in a time when He may be found. Psa 32:6. The prophet Isaiah said, 'Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near'. Isa 55:6. He is near in our times of trouble and questioning, when there is difficulty at school or work, in relational stress, in financial hardship or in a health crisis. Many of our afflictions are common to man but they will sift and test our hearts to determine what kind of people we are. We come to know the Lord and ourselves through prayer.

Geoff Smith

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Feature Articles
May 2009

Knowing His will

Speaking face to face

They will see and rejoice

A new name

Straight and tall

Abide in Him

Manifold grace

How much does it cost?

Devoted to prayer

Son of my vows