“Failure” in Prayer - 2 Cor 12.7
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
The believer rightfully turns to God in prayer because he is invited to do so. There are many such invitations in Scripture. Jesus encouraged his disciples to pray by promising them that their prayers would be heard and answered. Following his instructions on prayer in Luke 11 Jesus said, “I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11.9-13). Confidence in prayer is based on the believer’s new relationship with God though the agency of his own intercession (Romans 8.15-16; 2 Timothy 2.5; Hebrews 2.14-18). At the close of his public ministry Jesus comforted his disciples by assuring them that he would not abandon them, but would send his Holy Spirit to aid and comfort them (John 16.7). Moreover, they now had a new power in prayer because they could pray in his name, Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full (John 16.23-24). The efficacy of such prayers is aided by his intercession (cp. Hebrews 7.25). The invitation to pray is equally inviting in the Old Testament. For example, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes” … (Jeremiah 29.12); also, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7.14; cp. Isaiah 55.6; Hosea 6.3). Of course, there are numerous other Scriptures that encourage believers to pray believing that God will supply all their needs (e.g., Matthew 6.26-33; Philippians 4.6; 1 Peter 5.6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24).
Yet, for all the promises of a believer’s prayers being met with success, there are many times when the end results are less than desirable. Effectual prayer is not an easy craft to master; indeed, I do not believe it to be a craft at all, rather, it is a life to be lived in response to a love that has been received. There are a variety of reasons that communications between the believer and God breakdown, but it is never a failure of prayer though it may be a failure in prayer, either through a lack of faith or through a lack of obedience. James writes, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1.5-8). There are a variety of other reasons that prayer fails to achieve its desired result and appears go unanswered. The most obvious cause is that prayer originates from wrong motives: You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (James 4.2-4). James makes his point forcefully because in prayer there can be no compromise. Prayer is the chief activity of God’s kingdom. Thus, the invitation to petition for one’s daily bread is not carte blanche for selfish desires. Those who know the Lord best, desire the glory of the Lord most. Biblical prayer focuses on the glory of God and advancement of his kingdom. It delights in Christ being manifest: I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12.9-10).
When prayer is conceived as a means to manipulate God or as a shamanic tool to control unseen forces, it will certainly fail. When the “success” of prayer is measured by its control over the behavior of ungodly people it will inevitably falter. When petitions are made that countermand God’s grace they will be denied. When God says, “No!,” a prayer is answered – though the Christian may not immediately understand why. The prayers of a rebellious heart cannot hope to gain God’s favor. Persevering obedience to God’s command is a necessary prerequisite to enjoying his continued blessing. One cannot hope to enjoy God’s favor based on some previous spiritual victory; one must consistently live under the Holy Spirit’s control to enjoy the promises of God.
Moral Failure and Prayer (Hebrews 12.14-17)
God is able and willing to answer prayer. He desires to rescue all those who call upon him. However, there is this caveat: unrepentant sin is an insurmountable barrier between the sinner and God (Isaiah 59.1-2; cp. Deuteronomy 32.29-22; Psalm 66.18; Proverbs 15.29; Jeremiah 5.25). The early years of Asa’s life illustrate God’s willingness to bless the life of a repentant sinner. The latter years of Asa’s life illustrate God’s judgment on the willful heart. Asa’s began his reign as king of Judah with a humble response to Azariah’s challenging words: Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you (2 Chronicles 15.2). Asa took the words to heart, repented of Judah’s sin and the Lord gave the southern tribes peace for the next 35 years. Hoping to be saved from the threat of the ten northern tribes in Israel, Asa’s made a military alliance with the pagan king Ben-hadad of Syria. After 36 years of faithful service to the Lord he turned his back on God. Hanani voiced God’s judgment on Asa for his lack of faith, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. … For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars. Rather than repenting of his sin, Asa imprisoned Hanani for his effrontery. Subsequently, Asa was afflicted with a wasting disease in his feet and he stubbornly continued to neglect the Lord, seeking only the care of physicians. Though Asa started well he ended poorly. A proud heart has no access to the mercy of God (Deuteronomy 8.14; Psalm 101.5; Proverbs 16.5). That is why James tells us, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you (James 4.6-10).
Such a gloomy admonition about humility and self-abasement is not in keeping with popular teaching about prayer, but Scripture is replete with examples of the efficacy of humility. Answers to prayer are preceded by humility and eschewing self-reliance. Those who consider the things of God to be of the greatest value can be assured that he will hear their petitions and respond to their intercessions. The author of Hebrews reminds us of the ill-spent life of Esau. As misspent as we may believe Jacob’s actions to have been, his brother Esau’s distain for God’s blessing and family honor are even more offensive. The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews may have been Jewish Christians who were being forcefully compelled for political reasons to return to Judaism. Like Esau, they may have been ready to trade their long-term blessing in Christ for an immediate relief from suffering. The example of Esau serves as a warning to all who would exchange the eternal blessing of God for temporal pleasures. So the author of Hebrews writes: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears (Hebrews 12.14-17). The prayers of unfaithful people are exercises in failure.
Failure to Execute God’s Command (Numbers 20.10-13)
Sometimes believers fail to obey God. They know what they ought to do but they have a variety of excuses why these particular demands do not apply to them. However the lack of strict obedience to the known will of God may have dire consequences. There are many examples of this in Scripture. Surprisingly, some of them come from unexpected sources, though others are easy to identify. You can see it coming with Samson who was seduced by his passions (you can read about him in Judges 13-16). As a Nazarite three things were forbidden to him: he was not permitted to touch anything dead, the fruits of a viniculture (grapes) were under ban, and he was not to cut his hair. Samson’s strong passions dominated his life and his lack of personal restraint resulted in his violating every one of these restrictions. Because he failed to obey every aspect of God’s directives for his life he lost his extraordinary strength and for a time was marginalized as a judge and deliverer of Israel. One of the saddest commentaries in Scripture is made about Samson’s disobedience. When Delilah woke him from his sleep Samson thought, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free. ” But he did not know that the LORD had left him (Judges 16.20).
Unlike Samson, Josiah is an exemplary model of godly living (2 Chronicles 34.2). There are few examples in Scripture of a person who is portrayed as more devoted to doing what pleased God than Josiah. So heartfelt was Josiah’s repentance and faithfulness that God forestalled his judgment on Judah until after his death: Huldah the prophetess told Hilkiah to inform king Josiah: ... because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants (2 Chronicles 34.27-28). Therefore it catches the reader by surprise that later in his life he disobeyed an oracle of the Lord and as a result died in battle. He opposed Neco king of Egypt, who was looking to pass through Judah on his way to fight the Babylonians at Carchemish (at the northern tip of the fertile crescent). Perhaps it was Josiah’s distain of the Assyrians that prompted him to intercept the Egyptians; possibly he feared an Egyptian incursion into Palestine; whatever the reason, he fought the Egyptians despite a command from the Lord not to do so and it resulted in his death (cp. 2 Chronicles 35.21; Jeremiah 22.10-16).
Moses is our final illustration of the importance of prayer and obedience. At Meribah the Israelites were once again opposing Moses and murmuring against the Lord. They were complaining that there was no water. In response to their criticisms Moses turned to the Lord in prayer. In response to his intercession, Moses received these explicit instructions, Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle (Numbers 20.6-8). However, Moses allowed his frustration and anger to get the better of him, “hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice (20.10-11). Although the water came out of the rock the effect of Moses’ disobedience was significant: And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them” (20.12). Though the Lord later permitted Moses to see the land from a distance he was never allowed to enter it (cp. Deuteronomy 3.23-28; 32.48-52). God held Moses responsible for his behavior at Meribah.
There is a truth and sublimity to Scripture that no thoughtful person can deny. More than that, there is within the pages of Scripture a disclosure of the nature and personhood of the tri-personal God. When by the agency of the Holy Spirit an individual trusts in the efficacy of Jesus’ atonement (cf. Romans 3.21-26), the resulting relationship with God radically alters his life. Prior to his rebirth (cf. John 3.3, 16-17) he was alienated from God (Ephesians 2.11-13) but the Spirit works in the believer’s heart to bring him to God: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4.4-6). Now the believer has access to God through the intercession of Christ: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4.14-16). If the author of Hebrews is right, then it is incumbent on every Christian to quash any obstacle that hinders his communication with his heavenly Father. It is God’s desire that every believer enjoy a life of godliness with unrestricted access to him: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Peter 1.3-4).
Jacob – The hindrance of Unresolved Conflict (Genesis 32.22-32)
Of course, there are many impediments to living a holy life characterized by prayer. Daniel was such a person: he was faithful at the beginning of his life and he ended it as a faithful man of prayer. However, Jacob’s life is characteristic of the kinds of struggles many Christians experience. Spiritually speaking, Jacob experienced many ups and downs. He learned his lessons the hard way and he learned them slowly. Early on he became estranged from his brother when he inveigled his birthright away from him. It is not surprising that Esau was thereafter bitter towards his brother, even threatening to kill him. After this incident, Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s home in Paddan-aram to seek a wife. After about twenty years, Jacob succeeded in alienating himself from his father-in-law. His options were increasingly limited. Thankfully the Lord made it clear that he should return to Canaan. However, the prospect of confronting his angry brother loomed on the horizon. He spent the night before that fateful encounter in a spiritual struggle with God (Genesis 32.24-28; cp. Hosea 12.3). In his struggle with God Jacob understood that he must atone in some way for what he had done to his brother.
Just as Jacob’s relationship with God was hindered by a poor relationship with his family, so it is for everyone who calls upon the Lord: no one can hope to have a right relationship with God when he has poor relationships with others: So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5.23-24). The “Lord’s prayer” sets this command as a principle of forgiveness, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6.12). The ability to forgive others is seldom easy but it is prescribed as proper behavior for believers and without it one’s prayer will be severely hampered.
Circumstantial Failure - Persistence in Prayer (1 Samuel 12.23-24)
I love the character of Samuel. It is very possible that, like Samson, he was a Nazarite from birth (cp. 1 Samuel 1.11, 22). However, unlike Samson he was a faithful servant of Yahweh. While still a boy the Lord appeared to him in a dream (1 Samuel 3.11-14) and told him that he was going to judge the house of Eli for its blasphemous behavior. This was the first of many occasions in which Samuel was to serve as a messenger of the Lord. Throughout the course of his long life he served as an arbiter of justice for Israel and prophet from the Lord. As a priest he served as an intercessor between God and Israel. Sadly, Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abijah, proved to be corrupt. The prospect of having a corrupt judge succeed Samuel prompted the Israelites to request that Samuel step aside for a king. The rejection of the office of judge was a tremendous disappointment to Samuel, but the Lord directed him to comply with their demands. At Mizpah he presided over the casting of lots for the new king. The lot fell to Saul whom Samuel anointed as the first king of Israel. What is so striking about the life of Samuel is the grace with which he accepted his forced “retirement.” His ministry in Israel had been marked by considerable success and it was widely acknowledged that he was a powerful intercessor in prayer: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3.19; cp. 7.5-9). Though he approached his “twilight years” as a displaced prophet, his sense of call toward God and Israel remained unshakeable. He continued to speak the truth to Israel and he continued in intercession on its behalf: “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you (1 Samuel 12.20-24).
There are no guarantees that a holy life and consistency in faithful intercession will result in personal prosperity and peace. Indeed, if such was not the case for Jesus and most certainly for his immediate disciples, it is hardly likely that we should expect anything different (cp. Matthew 5.10-12; Philippians 1.29; 1 Peter 4.12-14). Other than the sovereignty of God there is no explanation as to why one person is granted an extension on his life, along with peace and prosperity (Hezekiah – Isaiah 38.1-6), and another person’s life ends abruptly with a violent death (James – Acts 12.1-5). The American theologian Jonathan Edwards was the pastor of the congregational church in Northhampton Massachusetts between 1727 and 1750. Some have said that Edwards is one of the most profound theological and philosophical minds America has ever produced. After six years of relative obscurity, Edwards became very popular during the mid-1730s, but eventually his church fired him and he was thereafter banished to a small Indian outpost in Stockbridge (1751-57). Shortly after he was called to be the new president of Princeton College he had a fatal reaction to a smallpox vaccination. Even though the majority of his life was lived in comparative anonymity, the Lord used him to shape the philosophical and theological landscape of America for the next 100 years. For additional information on the sovereignty of God and his providence, see my sermon notes on “Eternal Decrees” (May 12, 2002) and “Providence and Evil” (October 27, 2002).
The Silience of God – Learning to Pray without Doubt
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for the hard times that lay ahead of them he encouraged them to pray and not lose heart. In difficult times it is hard to believe that a loving God would not want to immediately deliver his children from their distress. Jesus knew his disciples would face temptations and trials that would test their faith. They would need to learn to trust the sovereignty of God’s grace that in everything God would work all things together for their good (cp. Romans 8.26-30). By way of illustration Jesus recounted the parable of the widow who was in search of justice from an unjust judge. Though initially rebuffed, her persistent pestering of this godless man resulted in a fair adjudication of her petition. By way of contrast Jesus says, And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily (Luke 18.7-8). Though Jesus says God will act speedily, he also says they cry to him day and night. Daniel fasted and mourned for three weeks before an angel of the Lord appeared to him with God’s answer to his petition (Daniel 10.1-3). The saints around the throne cry out, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6.10). God’s purposes are not always immediately known, but he always does what is best. After Jesus had withdrawn from the region of Galilee to the district of Tyre and Sidon, he was approached by a Canaanite woman whose daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. In an agitated state she repeatedly shouted out to him, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. Though the woman had no apparent Jewish connections she addressed Jesus as Lord and as the Son of David, which clearly had Messianic overtones. Not only does Jesus not respond to her in any way but his disciples consider the woman a nuisance and ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus responds that his primary mission was to the restore the lost and straying sheep of Israel. Somehow the woman comes to kneel at his feet and pleads once again “Lord, help me.” Again Jesus’ puts her off, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” The rebuff seems harsh and unlike Jesus, but it has a purpose: it is the means whereby the faith of this Gentile woman is displayed in front of everyone. Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” With this declaration of faith Jesus finally answers her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly (Matthew 15.21-28).
Sometimes prayers are met with silence (cp. Psalms 44; 82; 88). After Lazarus died Mary and Martha waited four days before Jesus came to them. Though believers must have prayed for his release, Paul was imprisoned for two years in Jerusalem before he is sent in chains to Rome. The most noteworthy silence in Scripture was the strange silence from the throne of God when his Son cried out from the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? God was not silent at his Son’s baptism, he was not silent at his transfiguration, but at the moment of his greatest agony he was silent (Matthew 27.46; cp. Psalm 22.1). Does the living God not care that his Son is being unjustly executed? Of course, we know that is not the case. The great scheme of God’s salvation plan was being worked out on the cross. Jesus spoke the opening words of Psalm 22 knowing that God’s salvific plan was coming to fruition (cp. Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12). Even as Jesus uttered the words of rejection he must have had the entire Psalm in his heart. The psalmist does not end his song in despair, but in hope: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. … Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it (Psalm 22.29-31).
So too in the life of every believer, the end of life is not despair but hope. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5.16-24).
Yet, for all the promises of a believer’s prayers being met with success, there are many times when the end results are less than desirable. Effectual prayer is not an easy craft to master; indeed, I do not believe it to be a craft at all, rather, it is a life to be lived in response to a love that has been received. There are a variety of reasons that communications between the believer and God breakdown, but it is never a failure of prayer though it may be a failure in prayer, either through a lack of faith or through a lack of obedience. James writes, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1.5-8). There are a variety of other reasons that prayer fails to achieve its desired result and appears go unanswered. The most obvious cause is that prayer originates from wrong motives: You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? (James 4.2-4). James makes his point forcefully because in prayer there can be no compromise. Prayer is the chief activity of God’s kingdom. Thus, the invitation to petition for one’s daily bread is not carte blanche for selfish desires. Those who know the Lord best, desire the glory of the Lord most. Biblical prayer focuses on the glory of God and advancement of his kingdom. It delights in Christ being manifest: I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12.9-10).
When prayer is conceived as a means to manipulate God or as a shamanic tool to control unseen forces, it will certainly fail. When the “success” of prayer is measured by its control over the behavior of ungodly people it will inevitably falter. When petitions are made that countermand God’s grace they will be denied. When God says, “No!,” a prayer is answered – though the Christian may not immediately understand why. The prayers of a rebellious heart cannot hope to gain God’s favor. Persevering obedience to God’s command is a necessary prerequisite to enjoying his continued blessing. One cannot hope to enjoy God’s favor based on some previous spiritual victory; one must consistently live under the Holy Spirit’s control to enjoy the promises of God.
Moral Failure and Prayer (Hebrews 12.14-17)
God is able and willing to answer prayer. He desires to rescue all those who call upon him. However, there is this caveat: unrepentant sin is an insurmountable barrier between the sinner and God (Isaiah 59.1-2; cp. Deuteronomy 32.29-22; Psalm 66.18; Proverbs 15.29; Jeremiah 5.25). The early years of Asa’s life illustrate God’s willingness to bless the life of a repentant sinner. The latter years of Asa’s life illustrate God’s judgment on the willful heart. Asa’s began his reign as king of Judah with a humble response to Azariah’s challenging words: Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you (2 Chronicles 15.2). Asa took the words to heart, repented of Judah’s sin and the Lord gave the southern tribes peace for the next 35 years. Hoping to be saved from the threat of the ten northern tribes in Israel, Asa’s made a military alliance with the pagan king Ben-hadad of Syria. After 36 years of faithful service to the Lord he turned his back on God. Hanani voiced God’s judgment on Asa for his lack of faith, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. … For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars. Rather than repenting of his sin, Asa imprisoned Hanani for his effrontery. Subsequently, Asa was afflicted with a wasting disease in his feet and he stubbornly continued to neglect the Lord, seeking only the care of physicians. Though Asa started well he ended poorly. A proud heart has no access to the mercy of God (Deuteronomy 8.14; Psalm 101.5; Proverbs 16.5). That is why James tells us, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you (James 4.6-10).
Such a gloomy admonition about humility and self-abasement is not in keeping with popular teaching about prayer, but Scripture is replete with examples of the efficacy of humility. Answers to prayer are preceded by humility and eschewing self-reliance. Those who consider the things of God to be of the greatest value can be assured that he will hear their petitions and respond to their intercessions. The author of Hebrews reminds us of the ill-spent life of Esau. As misspent as we may believe Jacob’s actions to have been, his brother Esau’s distain for God’s blessing and family honor are even more offensive. The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews may have been Jewish Christians who were being forcefully compelled for political reasons to return to Judaism. Like Esau, they may have been ready to trade their long-term blessing in Christ for an immediate relief from suffering. The example of Esau serves as a warning to all who would exchange the eternal blessing of God for temporal pleasures. So the author of Hebrews writes: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears (Hebrews 12.14-17). The prayers of unfaithful people are exercises in failure.
Failure to Execute God’s Command (Numbers 20.10-13)
Sometimes believers fail to obey God. They know what they ought to do but they have a variety of excuses why these particular demands do not apply to them. However the lack of strict obedience to the known will of God may have dire consequences. There are many examples of this in Scripture. Surprisingly, some of them come from unexpected sources, though others are easy to identify. You can see it coming with Samson who was seduced by his passions (you can read about him in Judges 13-16). As a Nazarite three things were forbidden to him: he was not permitted to touch anything dead, the fruits of a viniculture (grapes) were under ban, and he was not to cut his hair. Samson’s strong passions dominated his life and his lack of personal restraint resulted in his violating every one of these restrictions. Because he failed to obey every aspect of God’s directives for his life he lost his extraordinary strength and for a time was marginalized as a judge and deliverer of Israel. One of the saddest commentaries in Scripture is made about Samson’s disobedience. When Delilah woke him from his sleep Samson thought, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free. ” But he did not know that the LORD had left him (Judges 16.20).
Unlike Samson, Josiah is an exemplary model of godly living (2 Chronicles 34.2). There are few examples in Scripture of a person who is portrayed as more devoted to doing what pleased God than Josiah. So heartfelt was Josiah’s repentance and faithfulness that God forestalled his judgment on Judah until after his death: Huldah the prophetess told Hilkiah to inform king Josiah: ... because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place and its inhabitants (2 Chronicles 34.27-28). Therefore it catches the reader by surprise that later in his life he disobeyed an oracle of the Lord and as a result died in battle. He opposed Neco king of Egypt, who was looking to pass through Judah on his way to fight the Babylonians at Carchemish (at the northern tip of the fertile crescent). Perhaps it was Josiah’s distain of the Assyrians that prompted him to intercept the Egyptians; possibly he feared an Egyptian incursion into Palestine; whatever the reason, he fought the Egyptians despite a command from the Lord not to do so and it resulted in his death (cp. 2 Chronicles 35.21; Jeremiah 22.10-16).
Moses is our final illustration of the importance of prayer and obedience. At Meribah the Israelites were once again opposing Moses and murmuring against the Lord. They were complaining that there was no water. In response to their criticisms Moses turned to the Lord in prayer. In response to his intercession, Moses received these explicit instructions, Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle (Numbers 20.6-8). However, Moses allowed his frustration and anger to get the better of him, “hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice (20.10-11). Although the water came out of the rock the effect of Moses’ disobedience was significant: And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them” (20.12). Though the Lord later permitted Moses to see the land from a distance he was never allowed to enter it (cp. Deuteronomy 3.23-28; 32.48-52). God held Moses responsible for his behavior at Meribah.
There is a truth and sublimity to Scripture that no thoughtful person can deny. More than that, there is within the pages of Scripture a disclosure of the nature and personhood of the tri-personal God. When by the agency of the Holy Spirit an individual trusts in the efficacy of Jesus’ atonement (cf. Romans 3.21-26), the resulting relationship with God radically alters his life. Prior to his rebirth (cf. John 3.3, 16-17) he was alienated from God (Ephesians 2.11-13) but the Spirit works in the believer’s heart to bring him to God: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4.4-6). Now the believer has access to God through the intercession of Christ: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4.14-16). If the author of Hebrews is right, then it is incumbent on every Christian to quash any obstacle that hinders his communication with his heavenly Father. It is God’s desire that every believer enjoy a life of godliness with unrestricted access to him: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire (2 Peter 1.3-4).
Jacob – The hindrance of Unresolved Conflict (Genesis 32.22-32)
Of course, there are many impediments to living a holy life characterized by prayer. Daniel was such a person: he was faithful at the beginning of his life and he ended it as a faithful man of prayer. However, Jacob’s life is characteristic of the kinds of struggles many Christians experience. Spiritually speaking, Jacob experienced many ups and downs. He learned his lessons the hard way and he learned them slowly. Early on he became estranged from his brother when he inveigled his birthright away from him. It is not surprising that Esau was thereafter bitter towards his brother, even threatening to kill him. After this incident, Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban’s home in Paddan-aram to seek a wife. After about twenty years, Jacob succeeded in alienating himself from his father-in-law. His options were increasingly limited. Thankfully the Lord made it clear that he should return to Canaan. However, the prospect of confronting his angry brother loomed on the horizon. He spent the night before that fateful encounter in a spiritual struggle with God (Genesis 32.24-28; cp. Hosea 12.3). In his struggle with God Jacob understood that he must atone in some way for what he had done to his brother.
Just as Jacob’s relationship with God was hindered by a poor relationship with his family, so it is for everyone who calls upon the Lord: no one can hope to have a right relationship with God when he has poor relationships with others: So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5.23-24). The “Lord’s prayer” sets this command as a principle of forgiveness, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6.12). The ability to forgive others is seldom easy but it is prescribed as proper behavior for believers and without it one’s prayer will be severely hampered.
Circumstantial Failure - Persistence in Prayer (1 Samuel 12.23-24)
I love the character of Samuel. It is very possible that, like Samson, he was a Nazarite from birth (cp. 1 Samuel 1.11, 22). However, unlike Samson he was a faithful servant of Yahweh. While still a boy the Lord appeared to him in a dream (1 Samuel 3.11-14) and told him that he was going to judge the house of Eli for its blasphemous behavior. This was the first of many occasions in which Samuel was to serve as a messenger of the Lord. Throughout the course of his long life he served as an arbiter of justice for Israel and prophet from the Lord. As a priest he served as an intercessor between God and Israel. Sadly, Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abijah, proved to be corrupt. The prospect of having a corrupt judge succeed Samuel prompted the Israelites to request that Samuel step aside for a king. The rejection of the office of judge was a tremendous disappointment to Samuel, but the Lord directed him to comply with their demands. At Mizpah he presided over the casting of lots for the new king. The lot fell to Saul whom Samuel anointed as the first king of Israel. What is so striking about the life of Samuel is the grace with which he accepted his forced “retirement.” His ministry in Israel had been marked by considerable success and it was widely acknowledged that he was a powerful intercessor in prayer: And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3.19; cp. 7.5-9). Though he approached his “twilight years” as a displaced prophet, his sense of call toward God and Israel remained unshakeable. He continued to speak the truth to Israel and he continued in intercession on its behalf: “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you (1 Samuel 12.20-24).
There are no guarantees that a holy life and consistency in faithful intercession will result in personal prosperity and peace. Indeed, if such was not the case for Jesus and most certainly for his immediate disciples, it is hardly likely that we should expect anything different (cp. Matthew 5.10-12; Philippians 1.29; 1 Peter 4.12-14). Other than the sovereignty of God there is no explanation as to why one person is granted an extension on his life, along with peace and prosperity (Hezekiah – Isaiah 38.1-6), and another person’s life ends abruptly with a violent death (James – Acts 12.1-5). The American theologian Jonathan Edwards was the pastor of the congregational church in Northhampton Massachusetts between 1727 and 1750. Some have said that Edwards is one of the most profound theological and philosophical minds America has ever produced. After six years of relative obscurity, Edwards became very popular during the mid-1730s, but eventually his church fired him and he was thereafter banished to a small Indian outpost in Stockbridge (1751-57). Shortly after he was called to be the new president of Princeton College he had a fatal reaction to a smallpox vaccination. Even though the majority of his life was lived in comparative anonymity, the Lord used him to shape the philosophical and theological landscape of America for the next 100 years. For additional information on the sovereignty of God and his providence, see my sermon notes on “Eternal Decrees” (May 12, 2002) and “Providence and Evil” (October 27, 2002).
The Silience of God – Learning to Pray without Doubt
As Jesus was preparing his disciples for the hard times that lay ahead of them he encouraged them to pray and not lose heart. In difficult times it is hard to believe that a loving God would not want to immediately deliver his children from their distress. Jesus knew his disciples would face temptations and trials that would test their faith. They would need to learn to trust the sovereignty of God’s grace that in everything God would work all things together for their good (cp. Romans 8.26-30). By way of illustration Jesus recounted the parable of the widow who was in search of justice from an unjust judge. Though initially rebuffed, her persistent pestering of this godless man resulted in a fair adjudication of her petition. By way of contrast Jesus says, And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily (Luke 18.7-8). Though Jesus says God will act speedily, he also says they cry to him day and night. Daniel fasted and mourned for three weeks before an angel of the Lord appeared to him with God’s answer to his petition (Daniel 10.1-3). The saints around the throne cry out, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6.10). God’s purposes are not always immediately known, but he always does what is best. After Jesus had withdrawn from the region of Galilee to the district of Tyre and Sidon, he was approached by a Canaanite woman whose daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. In an agitated state she repeatedly shouted out to him, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed. Though the woman had no apparent Jewish connections she addressed Jesus as Lord and as the Son of David, which clearly had Messianic overtones. Not only does Jesus not respond to her in any way but his disciples consider the woman a nuisance and ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus responds that his primary mission was to the restore the lost and straying sheep of Israel. Somehow the woman comes to kneel at his feet and pleads once again “Lord, help me.” Again Jesus’ puts her off, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” The rebuff seems harsh and unlike Jesus, but it has a purpose: it is the means whereby the faith of this Gentile woman is displayed in front of everyone. Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” With this declaration of faith Jesus finally answers her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly (Matthew 15.21-28).
Sometimes prayers are met with silence (cp. Psalms 44; 82; 88). After Lazarus died Mary and Martha waited four days before Jesus came to them. Though believers must have prayed for his release, Paul was imprisoned for two years in Jerusalem before he is sent in chains to Rome. The most noteworthy silence in Scripture was the strange silence from the throne of God when his Son cried out from the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? God was not silent at his Son’s baptism, he was not silent at his transfiguration, but at the moment of his greatest agony he was silent (Matthew 27.46; cp. Psalm 22.1). Does the living God not care that his Son is being unjustly executed? Of course, we know that is not the case. The great scheme of God’s salvation plan was being worked out on the cross. Jesus spoke the opening words of Psalm 22 knowing that God’s salvific plan was coming to fruition (cp. Isaiah 52.13 – 53.12). Even as Jesus uttered the words of rejection he must have had the entire Psalm in his heart. The psalmist does not end his song in despair, but in hope: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. … Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it (Psalm 22.29-31).
So too in the life of every believer, the end of life is not despair but hope. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5.16-24).