"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1
“Prayer changes things.” You find that quote in houses, on throw pillows, bumper stickers, and such like. Indeed, it does change things, and it changes you. Prayer brings us closer to the heart of God and brings the heart of God closer to us. Through it we petition Him to help, heal, guide, instruction and of course change. Furthermore, through prayer we can come to know the will of God and even influence the will of God. Prayer grants us access to Almighty God; no wonder the disciples said “Lord, teach us to pray.”
It wouldn’t take much to convince me that we know so very little about this medium of prayer. I freely confess I know little, but desire as the disciples to be thought to pray. Satan does not tempt me for one second to believe that when Jesus prayed it was anything like the grandstanding preachers or those heretics on television. I believe that when Christ prayed it blurred the lines between temporal and spiritual. Brought them into the throne room, and though the trees, the dirt, and the rocks stayed as they were, when he prayed you felt as though you were in the presence of Almighty God. As Moses when he begged of God “show me your glory.” When Jesus prayed you could experience a touch of God's glory. In doing so it brought an understanding of His great power, and with the key of faith Christ could unlock the storehouses of God. When he did, he healed the sick, raised the dead, and ran off the devils of Satan. I wish to God we could do the same. The devils of depression, of racism, prejudice, drugs, and violence. Jesus shared with Peter: “Satan desired to have that he may sift you as wheat.” Then Christ said, “but I have prayed for you.” I believe that put Peter’s heart at ease, because he knew firsthand the power of Christ’s prayers. Today there is so much emphasis on the mediums with which we can get the gospel out and thank God for it; but let us once again explore that divine medium of prayer. A medium with which we can access a power that will amplify the gospel we aim to publish. A Spirit which will accompany the preaching we press to the lost. With this marriage of prayer and preaching we will no doubt find that a final more is needed. Consecration.
Christ taught them to pray, told them to preach, but he could not teach them to consecrate. That final ingredient had to be added by the disciples alone. They themselves had to submit their lives to the will of God. Through prayer they could learn the heart of God, and by the Spirit they preached the Word of God, but they alone had to leave off the world and obey. When they did, when they married these principles: a consecrated life to Christ, Spirit lead preaching of Christ, and prayer charged life for Christ; it changed the world. What are we to do? How do we reach this awful sinful world? If it is any device of man, it will fail. Any policy or program it will come to naught. What can we say but: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Prayer changes things.
