What do you pray about–little or much?

In the Bible, we find examples of all kinds of requests made to God. People prayed for themselves, for their loved ones, for their nation and, yes, even for their enemies.

Jesus Christ taught His disciples: “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you'” (John 16:23). We can understand from this that what we ask for should be in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, because we are asking in His name!

If we aren’t careful, though, we may limit ourselves–we simply may not go far enough in our prayers. There is a type of an example of this. The prophet Elisha, who was on his deathbed, told Joash to do something that would have meant the removal of the enemy nation of Syria: “Then he said, ‘Take the arrows’; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, ‘Strike the ground’; so he struck three times, and stopped” (2 Kings 13:18).

However, the king failed to zealously continue to do what he should have done: “And the man of God was angry with him, and said, ‘You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times'” (verse 19).

Do we stop short in our prayers? We have this instruction from Jesus: “‘So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you'” (Luke 11:9).

James addresses the problem in this way: “…you do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). James adds this: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (4:3).

So, what should we pray about? On the one hand, we are taught to be bold and filled with faith when we appear before God in prayer, while, on the other hand, we are cautioned to ask according to God’s will!

The answer is to look to the examples in God’s Word. We see requests made and answers given: the dead were restored to life and the sick healed; individuals and nations were delivered in times of great trials; and those who turned to God in repentance through prayer and obedience received the gift of God’s Holy Spirit–becoming the begotten children of God and destined to receive eternal life!

Jesus prayed fervently and often about events in His own life as well as for those of us who now follow Him (Read His prayer in John 17–specifically verse 20). He asked, and He asked for a lot–and God answered Him! He is our example, so, go ahead, and ASK!

What generally follows an opening statement such as, “Have you heard”? Usually, it is gossip. Most often, it is half-truths missing some important facts! But not always!

Consider the reaction of people who heard Jesus teach: “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). Even those who opposed Jesus were shocked by the message Jesus proclaimed: “Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why have you not brought Him?’ The officers answered, ‘No man ever spoke like this Man!'” (John 7:45-46).

Contrasting the wisdom of men against God’s revealed knowledge, Paul writes: “‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him'” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

In an earlier biblical account, Job admits that what he had heard about God was not even close to the reality of Who God actually is: “‘I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes'” (Job 42:5-6).

It isn’t so different for us, today. We hear things. We form beliefs around our understanding in a matter, and sometimes, not unlike Job and so many others in this deceived world, we are simply wrong! Jesus Christ gives us both a warning and an important key concerning what we hear. Note His statement in Mark 4:24: “‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'”

Over the many years since God created man, the record stands that the vast and overwhelming majority have REFUSED to hear God! Even among those whom God has called, there is the dangerous potential of growing dull of hearing. Paul, in speaking of God’s Church, addresses a problem that would arise in our day: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

The warnings apply to all of us–perhaps right now, as never before! Have you heard?

In spite of our best efforts, problems do arise. There are many issues that are within our control, and it is a point of personal character to be responsible in these areas. For instance, preparation for the future is our duty. If we acquire a good education and career skills, we are able to direct our lives from a position of strength.

Notice how God teaches us in this regard: “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest…” (Proverbs 6:6-8). The lesson here is to be motivated to recognize the need and to be ready.

This same principle applies in our relationship with God. Right now, we who are Christians must be building for the future–both for the events of our own lifetimes and for the opportunities God has promised relative to eternal life. In order to do that, we will need help, and the way for us to prepare is found in James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”

For our part, this kind of relationship with God takes constant effort. It is far too easy for us to get caught up in the moment and to relegate our contact with God to second or third place–or to no place at all! Time passes us by, and we suddenly wake up to the fact that our lives are unraveling with problems on every side.

When things go wrong in our lives, what should we do?

Our answer is to seek God with all of our heart, and to put God first in our lives by turning to Him in humility and repentance! We have the record of nations and individuals who have taken this approach, and we see how merciful and loving God is toward those who obey Him in this way.

We find this assurance from God–a way out for us when things do go wrong: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).