THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
Thus far we have looked in-depth at a pattern of “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much.” But before we proceed on to pray we need to understand a major fundamental truth which must always be the basis and the focus of our prayer as righteous people. Otherwise, we might be in a great confusion and distress of heart if after we think we have prayed all manners of prayers and the heaven still remain closed to our prayers. Why did Elijah pray and why did God of heaven have to honour his prayer with such an incredible answer?
The answer lies in the purpose for which Elijah prayed. “And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth…And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim” (2Kings 18:1; 17-18).
Prior to the prayer of Elijah, majority of the children of Israel had turned back from following after God. They had backslidden from the way of true religion unto following after the gods of the heathen most especially Baalim which was being worshipped as the god of fertility and fruitfulness. They have forgotten the God who brought them out of the land of captivity into the land flowing with milk and honey according to the promise made to their fathers. Now they ascribed the glory due to the God of heaven unto Baalim the idol of the heathen. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.” (Rom 1:21-23).
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God…
These people knew God as their Maker and Sustainer; they knew Him as the great Deliverer Who brought them up out of the Egyptian captivity. They knew that every good and perfect gift (including rain the fruits of the land) comes from the Father above. But now they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful… They chose to divert the blessings of God into serving the devil and servicing the ego of their sinful pleasure. They refuse to honour God with their substances which in the first place belong to God. Rather than giving God the glory due to His holy name, they ascribed the glory unto Baalim-the idol of the heathen. Sad enough, it was a national affair!
These people knew God as their Maker and Sustainer; they knew Him as the great Deliverer Who brought them up out of the Egyptian captivity. They knew that every good and perfect gift (including rain the fruits of the land) comes from the Father above. But now they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful… They chose to divert the blessings of God into serving the devil and servicing the ego of their sinful pleasure. They refuse to honour God with their substances which in the first place belong to God. Rather than giving God the glory due to His holy name, they ascribed the glory unto Baalim-the idol of the heathen. Sad enough, it was a national affair!
This became a matter to Elijah. He had the passion to see His people return to God and serve Him only. He wanted restoration and revival. He desired above every other thing that God should be glorified as God in the land. But at the same time he also knew that the ONLY way he could bring that to reality was through the avenue of prayer- inviting God’s intervention to our lives and situations. Hence, Elijah prayed that there would be no rain so that the children of Israel might know that God is the true Source of every blessing.
So then, Elijah did not pray out of a share desire to boast or to advertise himself as one big man of God in town who can actually pray. No, he prayed to seek the glory of God and the establishment of God’s kingdom. His prayer was God-centered. Consequently, the result of his prayer brought his people to confess “The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God!” in the same vein, God expects us to “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” even in our prayers so that every other thing which we may not even ask for can also be added to us.
It is sad to know that behind several “serious prayer and fasting” people do today which they spend all their time and energy on are prayers done just to satisfy a sensual desire to boast. All such prayers do not fit into God’s purpose and have no reward. And since they will not in any way contribute to the extension of the kingdom of God and the advancement of His glory, God will not answer! “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lust” (James 4:3).
Our motives matter a lot in praying. The Pharisees prayed much but received nothing from God. Hypocrisy hindered answers to many of their prayers. “They love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.” They were anxious and ambitious to be seen and praised for praying. Their desire was to be seen praying by others. When they prayed, they ensured that they stood in conspicuous places so that others would see them. In calling attention to themselves, their motive for praying was wrong. Whether in private praying or in public praying in the congregation, the desire to impress people with our prayers is wrong. Praying is a great privilege with great potentials but wrong motives, hypocrisy and unrighteousness will render it useless and unprofitable.
When you pray, check your motive for praying that prayer. Is it for self-pleasure, pride or vain glory? Is it to consume the result upon your lust? Such prayers will not be answered. One’s motive in prayer therefore determines whether it will be answered or not, even if the prayer is according to the will of God. God’s blessings are not without reason and purpose. It is that He might be glorified by it. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that my Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).
A particular minister was praying with his wife as they were going for a crusade. Harry Greenwood (of blesses memory) prayed, ‘O Lord, we are going for the crusade, send souls today’ and then he added something, ‘that everybody may know that you are using Harry Greenwood mightily.’ The wife stopped him and said ‘Why did you say that? We want God to save souls. But we don’t want him to do it so people will know that God is using us; that’s not the purpose.’
That was a picture of correct prayer which was actually according to the will of God but with a wrong motive and a purpose that was not focused on the glory of God. There are many people today who are praying and asking only to get popularity and fame for themselves; neglecting God’s glory, kingdom and righteousness. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who is the Author and Finisher of our Faith has left us an example to follow even in prayer. In the Lord’s Prayer, He has taught us and given us the pattern or model of God-honouring prayer. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven…For thine is Thy kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen” (Matt 6:9-13).
Starting with God’s praise and priority and ending with God’s power, and pre-eminence, with everything within the prayer, this model prayer concentrates and focuses on God. God’s honour and glory has always been the concern and focus of true believers in prayer. When Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah, the righteousness and the glory of God was his focus.
In the prayers of Moses for Israel, pleading for His mercy on the Nation, the honour and glory of God’s name before all other nations was the central and strong point in his plea. As Joshua prayed with great burden and fervency, his heart was focused on God’s glory. Hear him as he prayed: “O Lord, what shall I say…and what
will Thou do unto Thy great name?” David likewise strongly desired God’s glory in presenting his personal requests before God. “And now, O LORD God,…do as Thou has said and let Thy Name be magnified forever” ( II Samuel 7:18-26). Elijah’s notable prayer was a self-effacing prayer, for God’s glory and exaltation only. “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD GOD” (I King 18:37). The Lord, Jesus Christ, is our model and perfect Example. In all things and in particular in prayer, the glory of God was His aim, goal and desire. Even when He was in deep sorrow, His mind was fixed on God’s glory in prayer. “Now is my soul troubled Father, glorify Thy Name” (John 12:27-30).
will Thou do unto Thy great name?” David likewise strongly desired God’s glory in presenting his personal requests before God. “And now, O LORD God,…do as Thou has said and let Thy Name be magnified forever” ( II Samuel 7:18-26). Elijah’s notable prayer was a self-effacing prayer, for God’s glory and exaltation only. “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD GOD” (I King 18:37). The Lord, Jesus Christ, is our model and perfect Example. In all things and in particular in prayer, the glory of God was His aim, goal and desire. Even when He was in deep sorrow, His mind was fixed on God’s glory in prayer. “Now is my soul troubled Father, glorify Thy Name” (John 12:27-30).
In the time of Hannah, the Levitical order had been desecrated and the worship of God was also polluted. People were beginning to abhor the worship of God… At that time God needed a man child on earth that would bring honour to the Priesthood, restore order to Levitical ministry, repair the broken alter of worship and bridge the gap between Divinity and humanity. At the same time Hannah also needed a man child for which she had been making request every year in Shiloh. But not until the purpose of her request came to align with the purpose of God before God could release Samuel! “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but will give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life… ” Immediately Hannah reached this critical point in her prayer, heaven responded instantaneously! And that teaches us that there are some important blessings- blessings that have both national and global impact, which God will not release into our hands until we understand the purpose of such blessings! What a matter to my own very heart now! Great things will always happen whenever men’s requests meet the purpose of God.
So then, God is expecting us to ask in prayer so that He might be glorified by it. Let it be that your prayers and petitions are borne out of a heart to glorify God. Let it not be that you are asking for the anointing of the Holy Spirit so that you too can become another one ‘big’ man of God in town. Take heed that you are not asking for money and prosperity so that you too can say like the rich fool: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.” We need to understand that all we have, own and become in life must be a platform for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom on earth.
Are you seeking the glory of God in your prayers? Check your heart and motive today. God also knows the thought and the intents of your heart. He is the God of all knowledge; by Him all actions (including prayers) are weighed! Can God trust you with the unrighteous mammon? Should God open His heaven over your head, will you still remain simple, teachable, with bridled appetite and seeking His glory alone? There are some today over whose lives heaven is regretting and lamenting. Why? Because they forgot God of their help and have become abusers of divine resources and defaulters of God’s unmerited grace and favours.
Therefore, as you seek God in prayer, let your heart be correct and your priority right. Things that disqualify a man from divine outpouring are not only things of the moment; God also looks at inner tendencies and inclinations that can breed pride and arrogances in the days to come. Is your heart right with God? “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (II Chronicles 16:9). There is no limit to what God can do if our prayers are set on His glory and His glory alone!
Having understood this very important truth, I think we can now draw near God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, believing and trusting that the God of the hour of prayer will not let us down. It is time to pray!
