By Elmer Morgan, preacher
Now deceased, used to preach at Military Parkway in Dallas when we lived
there. He was in my opinion one of the most insightful, spiritually
discerning man I have ever known. He wrote other books, but to me, this was
the best!
INTRODUCTION
Had I walked with Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry as one of His
disciples, I would have been charmed with His ability to heal the sick, make
the deaf hear, the blind see, walk on the water, feed the hungry, etc.
Most Christians regard prayer as of great value, but many do not use it as
they should. Some of the severest critics of prayer include those who
profess religion but find no place for prayer because they do not believe
that God intervenes directly in the affairs of men. Years ago when the
United Nations was formed in San Francisco, the opening session was
commenced with silent prayer. Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Jew,
Mohammedan, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Shintoist, and Confucianist bowed
together. Had they not believed that God could and would hear, why would
they pray?
If the naturalist is right, then prayer is useless. If the natural laws that
rule the universe cannot be broken, not even by the God who made them, then
the notion of miracle or supernatural is foolishness. The naturalist insists
that the dead cannot rise. But God intervened and raised Jesus from the
dead. God can, if He chooses, override natural causes and rain where there
is no natural cause, or He can cause a virgin to become pregnant and give
birth to a child (having never known a man). God does intervene in the
natural order in response to prayer.
We, who believe in the power of prayer and pray because Christ told us to
and taught us how, will continue and never be surprised or overwhelmed at
His answers. The enjoyment and the benefits of prayer are essential to the
spiritual well-being of any Christian. Some Christians believe more in
counterfeit prayer, declaring such a prayer never gets as high as the
ceiling. I think it is better to leave it to God as to whom He hears and
does not hear. Belief in prayer is a far cry from effectiveness in prayer.
Those who confess they believe in the value of prayer, however, may not
practice it.
There is much confusion in the Christian world about prayer. One prays that
her son will return from the war, and he is killed. Another prays that her
son will return, and he does. Another does not believe in God or prays, and
her son comes home safe and sound. One man prays that today it will not rain
because he is having a golf party. Another prays for rain on the crop he is
depending on for a living. This complexity of prayers may explain why so
many refuse to get very much involved with any kind of prayer life. To
wrestle with the problem is sure to help us grow in the Lord and to better
understand what the Lord was trying to teach His disciples. That is the
purpose of this little book. We all need to get beyond the infant stage of
spiritual development. Glowing platitudes and unfounded assertions are not
the signs of maturity in one's prayer life. I have found it much easier to
teach the one who knows he does not know how to pray than to help the one
who thinks he knows it all. Unfortunately, prayer does not reduce itself to
an either/or; it is neither black nor white. What is in the heart of the one
doing the praying may very well make the difference in the sight of God.
To question in regard to prayer may very well be a healthy experience, but
the questions should be mature in understanding, such questions like "Did I
lack faith to believe?" "Was there sin in my heart?" "Was my prayer not in
accord with the will of God?" "Is this designed to bring me closer to God or
to teach me some other lesson?" One writer has stated that the Christian can
ask "When?" "Where?" " How long?" and "What?" but he cannot ask "Why?" There
is no Biblical basis for such a statement. Why can't I ask why? The answer
may be the very therapeutic agent needed for the moment to help me keep my
sanity.
With all this in mind, the purpose of this book is to throw some light on
the dark places of prayer and to help us grow a little in the Lord in this
matter. The subject is vast.In my study are many books on prayer, all of
which I use in growing. Their influence in my life has been a real blessing,
and now, after years of study and experience, it is time for me to make my
contribution to my friends and brethren whose lives I might touch through
this means.
The pilgrim who walks through the world that is not his final home needs all
the help he can get. God in His love and wisdom has provided many kinds of
help, but one of the prayers, there will be no answers. If you sow no seed,
there will be no harvest. If you send no ships out, there will be no
greatest blessings is the gift of prayer. If your ships to come in. Ask, and
it shall be given unto you. Come, let us study together that we might learn
the things of God which will make life better on the earth here and now, and
assure us of an eternal home in heaven after a while.
