The Work of Prayer
One of my favorite and simultaneously least favorite things to do is to begin exploring a new hobby because all it takes is one google search to discover that there is a corner of the Internet where whatever hobby or activity is taken truly, truly seriously – where arguments, debates, and experts abound. Who knew there were people so devoted to things like watercolor and bookbinding.
There are so many things to devote ourselves to – so many hobbies and things in life to make our thing. And all of these thoughts were sparked by a simple verse about the early church. What was their thing? What was their life together marked by?
After Jesus ascends, Acts 1:18 says of the disciples, "14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."
My word of exhortation this morning is Christian devote yourself to the work of prayer. What does it mean to devote ourselves to prayer? Colossians 4:2 which translates the same word, devote, slightly differently. It says, "Continue steadfastly in prayer." Other Scripture commands help us too such as the call to be constant in prayer and to not cease in praying.
Even Jesus gave us the parable of the persistent widow because it says in Luke 18:1, "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."
Why the commands to continue steadfastly in prayer? Why a parable to teach us to always pray and not lose heart?
Because we are prone to give up the work of prayer. And we're prone to give up prayer when life gets busy, or the problem seems too great and they crowd out of view of the Lord. Or our problems are too small and we think we can handle them and we shouldn't bother God with things so small. Or we give up prayer when we grow weary in bringing our requests to God, maybe thinking is it even worth it?
Prayerlessness results from reliance on self. It says I can handle this, I can face this, I don't need help. But prayer is what results from reliance on God. Prayer turns us from ourselves to the God who is all-powerful, all-wise, all-knowing, perfectly sovereign, and working for you.
Brothers and sisters, I exhort you to continue steadfastly in the work of prayer. Devote yourself to it. With all the things in life we can pursue and make effort in and devote ourselves to, prayer is worth it.