Faith's Cheif Action

Says Charles Hodge, the late, great Princeton theologian, in his Systematic Theology,

"Prayer is the converse of the soul with God. Therein we manifest or express to Him our reverence, and love for his divine perfection, our gratitude for all His mercies, our penitence for our sins, our hope in his forgiving love, our submission to his authority, our confidence in his care, our desires for his favour, and for the providential and spiritual blessings needed for ourselves and others."

He goes on to say,

"A prayerless man is...thoroughly irreligious. There can be no life without activity. As the body is dead when it ceases to act, so the should that goes not forth in its actions towards God, that lives as though there were no God, is spiritually dead."

Let me have a swing at it: When God is real to you, you can't help but pray.

Some men do not pray because their gods are not worthy of prayer. Of what benefit has it been? What power does it posses? What love has it displayed?

The one who has experienced true conversion, encountered the Almighty, been brought to the foot of the cross, whisked into the holy presence of God, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, cannot help but pray. As his heart beats, so his eyes are lifted heavenward.

Yet, I think that Christianity must be dead. For where are the prayers in the churches? The people gather for a worship service, but no one comes before God with supplications. No one boldly comes before the throne with adoration and praise or racing to the throne of grace in repentance.

I do think that most sanctuaries are filled with ailing people each Lord's Day because there is no prayer in the services. Grace is with held because prayer is non-existent. "You do not have because you do not ask." This is your own judgement.

I once heard a story about a group of elders who were having a terrible time with their church members. There were problems at every turn. Elder board meetings would last for 3-4 hours to deal with all of the problems.

At last they began to dedicate 1 full hour of their meeting to prayer. Their meeting time was cut in half: One hour for prayer, one hour for business.

What if churches prayed? Would not their sick get better? Would not their pews be filled? Would not the erring brother return? Wouldn't there be more unity, fellowship and love among the congregation? Would not the pastor preach better!!?

Oh, God. Teach us to pray.