"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?" -Corrie Ten Boom
It is always interesting to see how often we call on God when we are in trouble. When difficulties and the trials of this life arise, we are often drawn towards prayer. It is during these circumstances that our prayers are oftentimes fervent and frequent. The prayer closet becomes our second home. Our tears and present affliction always move the heart of our Heavenly Father. Many times He will answer our prayers causing our hearts to be filled with joy and thanksgiving. Yet if we fast forward the timeline of our lives, a few months or even weeks later we will find ourselves going about our daily routine not giving much thought or time to prayer. Prayer will once again slip into the attic of our home only to be used in the case of an emergency.
The children of Israel were no different. The book of Judges shows us an endless cycle of complacency, trouble, prayer, deliverance, devotion, and once again complacency. We consistently see that Israel would only cry out in times of distress. In his mercy, God would raise a judge to deliver them. Israel then experienced the joy and peace of answered prayer which caused them to serve God temporarily only to return to their lifestyle of complacency and sin soon afterwards. This endless cycle continues throughout the whole book. The book of Judges is in fact a picture of the mercy and faithfulness of God as well as the infidelity and fickleness of His people.
Though it is easy for us modern day Christians to read the book of Judges and point the finger on Israel's faults, we must understand that we are no different than they were. Israel is only a type of the average Christian. Our circumstances may be different but the human dispositions have not changed much over the course of thousands of years. Israel reverted to prayer in times of trouble, famine, and persecution. We pray when our marriage is failing, our bills are more than our income, and when our boss at work begins to mistreat us. There is not much difference between Israel and us.
Prayer was never meant to be our life vest when we are drowning. Prayer is meant to be our compass through life.
We will all experience troubles and suffering in this life. Jesus said to His disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In Psalm 34:19, the psalmist writes "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." Tribulation and trials are promised to everyone. No exceptions. Praying in times of trouble is not bad. The Lord wants us to come to Him when we are feeling sad, lonely, and when the troubles of this life become unbearable. While on the Earth Jesus told His followers, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28). That invitation was spoken more than two thousand years ago yet it is still open today for you and me. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 34:18 and it says "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Some of the most intimate and precious times we will spend with the Lord are when our world is caving in and we see no way out. Times of trouble can actually help our Christian walk for it is during these times that we can see Jesus for who He really is. A wonderful and faithful friend.
Jesus becomes much closer to us when we are facing difficulties.
Being in the midst of a fiery furnace is no easy thing to walk through. But I want you to know that you have a friend in Jesus. A friend that is closer than a brother (Prov 18:24). He really does love you. And while He may not always rescue you from the fire, He promises to always be with you in the midst of it. He has not changed. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb 13:8) He will continue to be that fourth man seen in the furnace (Dan 3:25).
So the problem is not that we pray in times of trouble. The issue is when we only pray in times of trouble.
If we only pray in times of trouble, we will never know the true character of God.
This is the real danger of not living a life of prayer: ignorance of God's true character. Every man and woman in the Bible and throughout the ages that modeled the genuine Christian life was well acquainted with God's character. Take Daniel for example. When persecution knocked on his door and he was forbidden to pray, he did not let his current affliction deter him from what he knew to be right. He continued to pray three times a day. Though he was thrown into the lions den, the next morning he was drawn out from it completely unharmed (Dan 6:10-28). Why? Personally I believe that it was Daniel's faith in God and his prayer life that God used to rescue him from the mouth of the lions. Daniel knew God's character and therefore did not allow the king's decree to stop him from praying.
Though we should certainly pray in times of trouble (read James 5:13), we should not only pray in times of trouble. The Scriptures are quite clear on this matter. If we are to pray not only during the difficult seasons of life, then when exactly are we to pray? The short answer is always.
Prayer must become our lifestyle.
I never understood the Scripture found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 which encourages us to "pray without ceasing". I always wondered how this could be possible for anyone, especially modern day Christians. We work, have responsibilities, family, and other factors that fill up our day. How then can we truly pray without ceasing? Not too long ago I was meditating on this Scripture when the Holy Spirit reminded me of a book I read a year ago named "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence. It is a very small yet powerful book which is centered on the subject of prayer. As the Holy Spirit reminded of the book, I remembered reading something quite powerful that this man wrote. Though he lived in a monastery and had specific times of prayer, Brother Lawrence stated that he continued to pray all throughout the day while in the midst of his daily tasks. He had an ongoing conversation with God. I believe this is the true meaning of that Scripture in Thessalonians.
Though we should certainly set aside a specific time to pray, our prayers should not solely be limited to this time slot. We should live in a constant state of communion with God. How you might ask? By maintaining a mental conversation with Him while going about our day. It is doing this that permits us to work, raise a family, and accomplish our daily activities while praying without ceasing. We should never view prayer as a task that we check off our to do list but rather as a discipline that is as regular and constant to us as breathing.
Reader, I want you to know that Jesus really loves you. He does not ask us to pray for appearances, religious rituals, or so that we may gain better access into His presence (this was already accomplished by His precious blood). He invites us into a life of prayer because He loves us. Because He wants to spend time with us and relationships are built over time spent together. God's desire for us is that we would run to Him not only when we are hurting but everyday, whether good or bad, that we might talk to Him and tell Him that we love Him. He loves to hear that. Will you do that this week? While you're at work or feeding your kids or studying for your next exam, will you simply talk to Him? Tell Him how you feel, the things that trouble you, or just take a few seconds and tell Him "Jesus, I love you" and then wait and allow Him to tell you that He loves you too!
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