“But the end of all things is at Hand”...the Wayfarer 3/6/14

“But the end of all things is at Hand”
  3/6/14

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.”

(1 Peter 4:7)

As the days grow ever shorter allotted to mankind, whether as individual, or as inhabitants of a world that may expect a fore promised tribulation, and the final judgment to come at the end of that tribulation, the importance of real and abiding prayer grows ever more needful.

Prayer is best defined, by this old preacher, not any dictionary, or other means of definition, as the communication of man with God. This communication is individual, and may be amplified by those seeking a common blessing that lies within the will of God, while remaining still, individual communication with God.

It is not communication between men. It is not intended to glorify man, nor any individual offering that prayer, but solely for the glorification of God, and His power and mercy for us, alone.

That communication comes in many forms and in many places, yet remains what it must be, to be sincere, communication between man and God, not man and man.

The first prerequisite for any effectiveness of prayer must be that one recognizes the fact that God is God, and man is not.

Failing to address prayer to any, other than God, is to communicate with whatever other is addressed, in His stead.

Along with that recognition of God being God, something else must also be realized, just how insignificant, and impotent the one doing that communication is, without that communication, with the One who has the power, and deserves the Glory and praises of all mankind.

Being born a sinful creature, that sinful creature must first address the fact of that sinfulness and ineptitude of self alone.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

(Luke 18:13)    

Prayer may be offered to effect change in the world, change in individual, change in nation and change in the behavior of this corrupt race, as long as that prayer remains sincere, private communication with God.

Communal prayer is an extension of this private communication, and to be effective, must meet the same criteria as that of individuals praying alone.

It must be offered in the unity and sincerity of Spirit of those gathered, with common pleas being offered. in true sincerity, and while remembering to seek only the will and glorification of God, not the accolades of those gathered.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be ye not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”

(Matthew 6:5-7)

Prayer has been commanded of us, it is an absolute necessity to continue in Christ while still imprisoned in this corrupt body.

Prayer must not be an occasional thing, but constant, in the prayerful, contrite, and, humble attitude that it necessitates, to remain within the confines of what Christ gave us, what He taught us, what He promised us, and what we are to EXPECT to be fulfilled by Him for us through that prayer.

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.”

(Isaiah 55:6)

The time has come for many, that through the persecution of those denying God, they are no longer allowed to assemble together to worship, praise and glorify Him. To do so is to risk life, of both themselves and family, because the world so hates the light given us by our Lord.

Those few places where those gatherings are allowed to exist sometimes fail to first seek the Lord, merely going through the motions and giving lip service alone to God.

The freest of these places often have gatherings that meet only for self-adulation and self-glorification, clinging to the heathen concepts of what is loud, long, and showy, is what will be heard, failing to ever get a single point that might actually be needed to be brought before God, to come to His ear, because they refuse to meet the requirements set forth for that hearing.

Matthew 7: 7 and 8 is one of my absolute favorite passages of scripture, words given by Jesus himself that defines an unbreakable promise, if the prerequisites for being heard are first met.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

These two verses are not only a promise that prayer will be heard, but a command that it be given as well; and the means to have that hearing both desired and needed.

In order to be heard, we must first seek God, through meeting those prerequisites already outlined to let God know that we know who He is, and who we are in His sight.

Having done this, we may then expect the doorway to be opened.

 Christ himself is that doorway!

It is through that door that any effectual prayer must come, as any attempting entry through any other means, except by that door, is only a thief and robber, come to steal and kill.

All prayer must be given through the name of Christ Jesus, that door, to be heard by the Father, no other way exists; no other name may be used in substitution.

 

“At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the father for you:

 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”

(John 16:26 &27)

Prayer will be heard, if offered through Christ Jesus, and meeting the requirement given by him to:

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

That requirement means stripping ourselves of vanity, and trading it for humility, and a heart that is open to give that prayer in such a way that is acceptable to God.

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.”

(Isaiah 58:9)

The time is coming, and in many instances, has already come, when prayer is no longer allowed, no longer socially acceptable. Wasting that opportunity that still exists is an abomination to God, whether wasted by the absence of prayer, or by the means of mouthing mere words and displaying a righteousness not held by man that belongs to God himself alone.

The time is coming that there will be a dearth of even hearing the Word of God, as it will continue to be refused by those who hear without opening their ears, see only that which they wish to because their eyes are blinded to what was and is expected of us by Christ, and whose hearts are too full of self to allow the indwelling of Christ Jesus that may only come through the humility and understanding that God is God. Man is not. God deserves our praise and glorification. Man does not.

The time is now more than ever the time in which, earnest, sincere and devout prayer, is most needed.

Christ gave us a model to use for acceptable prayer, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. It is given in Matthew through the following:

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever, Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

The emphasis given here, on God being the one to Whom the kingdom belongs, to Whose will it is necessary to recognize, and Whose name is to be glorified is my own, given only to those who would otherwise fail to pay attention to those small words that mean so very much.

Pray. Pray constantly. Pray in a manner acceptable to God for those things that lie within his will, not our own.

Pray to forgive, so that we may be forgiven, one of the most difficult pieces of the formula for effective prayer, yet still required. Pray until you are able to give that forgiveness, and be actually heard by God.

Communicate with the Father, as is demanded, through Christ.

Listen closely for the answers, then accept those answers, whether you like them or not, as it is God’s will that matters, not man’s.

Once more I come to a close in hopes that though imperfect and inadequate, my prayers for God’s people be heard, that the reachable be reached and the teachable be taught while we are still allowed to do so.

I remain only that which I am, simple sinner saved by grace through faith in my God and His son, without whom I could have no hope, could remain only a self-seeking sinner, unable to forgive or be forgiven, could only be a poser instead of that which I try so hard to be, His servant, soldier in His service, giving all glory and honor to Him, asking none for myself, seeking nothing more than to accomplish the task He set before me when he called me to this field of battle that often wearies and exhausts me, but may  never defeat me, as long as He remains my commander, and I follow His orders instead of those given by man, and the devious use of man by His adversary, daily attempting to wear me to the point of a defeat that can never come. The victory is assured, the war is already decided, the winner is Jesus and those who cling to Him and endure, through prayer and willingness to listen to, and accept His answers.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 Amen and Amen.
the Wayfarer