Here on my left hand, around my third finger, is a ring of white gold. How valuable is this ring? The other day my wife looked at it and suggested that it might be difficult to get it off. It would be impossible to take if off – without using some sort of saw. Like wood on the trunk of a tree my finger has grown around it – it is not coming off without a fight. How valuable is this ring? It is made of gold, but what is the quality of that gold – 24 carat; 20 carat; 18??? And what is the price of gold today as compared to what it was two weeks ago? Is gold the REAL value of this ring? What about the artistry used in making it? Nearly all the engraving on it has worn off in the last 45 years. But is the beauty of the ring the measure of its value? No, the value of this ring to me, is it is the relationship that it illustrates between Judy and me. It is the most valuable piece of jewelry that I own. It is the most valuable thing in my possession.
In this ring we see that there are often a number of ways to measure the worth of something. And that applies to our subject for this evening – prayer. What is the value of prayer – in other words – “Why pray?” Do you ever feel that prayer over a matter is NOT really worth the time? Oh, there are certain things which demand prayer – but those things are beyond our control. The things over which we have some power, often don’t require any prayer. Right? And sometimes prayer is definitely a waste of time – that is not just the opinion of another sinner. In the ears of the God, who heareth prayer (Psalm 65:2), prayer is highly valuable. But not if it involves the sacrifice of righteousness. By that I mean, when we “regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us” – so why pray then? When “we turn away our ears from hearing the law, even our prayers are abomination” – Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9.
Assuming sin has not interfered, prayer is an extremely valuable commodity. But how do we measure it?
We can measure that value based upon THE COMMAND of the Lord.
Whether or not you think that my ring is valuable is of no consequence whatsoever. While no one will go to the trouble to cut off my finger in order to steal it, it is valuable to me. Something may be important to one person, but the next person might not agree. This is one of the battlefields that parents often have with their children. Kids in their immature thinking have a different perspective on things than experienced adults might have. And in same manner, adults often look at things more lightly than the Lord does.
Is there any value in obeying and pleasing the Lord? What a silly question! Can we please the Lord without obeying the Lord? Should we expect the Lord’s blessing without our desire to please the Lord? Are the blessings of God valuable?
How does God express His estimation of prayer? He commands it; exhorts us to it; blesses when we pray; praises those who do it. Christ Jesus “spake a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to prayer and not to faint.” “Pray without ceasing.” “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”
Here are half a dozen verses which declare that the Lord thinks prayer is valuable. Unfortunately, this is ONLY the Lord’s opinion and sometimes even Christians ONLY agree with God when they think that it is to their advantage to do so. What about us? Is it to our advantage to pray? Is prayer valuable? Perhaps it depends upon what you happen to be looking for.
Prayer is valuable, because it is vitally connected to “FULNESS OF JOY.”
John 16:24 – “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that you joy may be full.” Is Lord telling us that there are certain things that we cannot have without prayer? Perhaps there are many things, but right here we’re talking here about “the fulness of joy.” If people are satisfied with mediocre joy, then simply being redeemed is good enough. If people are satisfied with worldly joy, then they don’t need to pray. If we are okay with mere happiness, then we can forget about the promises connected with prayer.
But if someone wants “the fulness of joy,” it can only come through prayer – so says God’s Word. But why? Well, I think that goes back to the definition of prayer. What is prayer? It is the communion of our heart with God’s heart. There are a lot of things in this world which I don’t have and never will. But there are things which I possess which no one ever will – Judy Lynn Price for example. The presence of my wife in my life, makes all which I lack in the world – less important. And on a grander scale, the communion with the Lord which comes only through prayer takes joy into the stratosphere – joy into “fulness of Joy.” A person will not have the blessing and comfort of the presence of God, if he neglects prayer to the Lord
Prayer is valuable, because it is the WAY OUT OF ANXIOUS CARE.
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I do not claim to be 100% successful at the business of peace. But, at the same time, I’ve not got high blood pressure, or had any stress-caused heart attacks. I’ve not got ulcers, hives, or even an acid stomach. I have absolutely no trouble falling asleep at night. Yet I have worried a time or two – I am not an expert in the area of peace.
And the reason for my periodic failures must be attributed to weakness in prayer and faith. Worriers may or may not have worts, but they certainly don’t have prayer callouses on their knees. THERE is one physical infirmity that everyone of us should seek to have – “prayer callouses.” Perhaps a sore pitching arm wouldn’t be a bad malady either. Soreness in the shoulder from casting all your care upon Him. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” – Psalm 55:22. I Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Maybe a periodic sore throat wouldn’t be bad either. Psalm 34:6 – “The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.” Prayer has great value as a medical tool for curing anxious care.
Then too, Prayer is the way to HOLY SPIRIT POWER.
I believe that every believer possesses and is possessed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. I also believe that the filling of the Holy Spirit is another matter, painfully absent from the lives of the majority of believers. Acts 1:8 is often preached with an appeal towards missions or evangelism. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses…” Stripping away the obvious reference, doesn’t the verse say that with the Holy Spirit there is power? Power for what? Certainly not for sin. But couldn’t that spiritual strength be apply towards any righteous and God-glorifying endeavor? We need to be filled with the Spirit – we need to be in a usable condition for the Lord.
You husbands and fathers know the importance of kindness and generosity towards your children. “How much MORE shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” The manna we eat day after day, and the unending supply of clothing and shoes…. the drinking water which follows and precedes us throughout our wilderness wanderings… come from the gracious hand of God. But perhaps these things are not as important as pillar of fire presence of the Holy Spirit. We have not because we ask not.
Prayer’s value can be seen in THE EFFECT THAT IT HAS upon the unbeliever.
Answered prayer in our lives gets noticed by the eyes and hearts of others. But how can there be miraculous answered prayers, when there are no prayers to be answered? Answered prayers are the miracles of the 21st century.
Prayer is valuable because it is GOD’S APPOINTED WAY of getting some things done.
What is the meaning of James 4:2? – “ye have not because ye ask not”? What is the best way to learn Calculus? Study it in high school? Study it in college? Study it through correspondence? None of the above – in themselves. The best way to learn calculus is to pray as you study. What is the best way to find a job? Fill out applications, while pleading with the Lord for the job of His choice. What is the best way to grow wheat? Plow, plant and pray. Simply applying all the laws of agronomy will not guarantee a crop. The will of the Lord is the only guarantee.
What is value of prayer? The value of prayer can be measured by the size of the miraculous answer to prayer. The value of prayer is in size and power of the Lord. And our access to the Lord in at least one way is through prayer.