The Discipline and Power of Prayer

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom 12:12)

In his book, “Celebration of Discipline”, Richard Foster listed out the thirteen spiritual disciplines that constitute the Christian life.  In collaboration with meditation, fasting and study, prayer has been classified as an inward discipline.  The reason is clear. Prayer is essentially an individual affair that involves a lot of soul-searching, listening and learning from the voice of the Spirit. It’s in the quiet moments of prayer that God speaks to us in His still, small voice.

Thousands of books have been written on the topic of prayer and even more have been preached on this discipline.  It is something that can be acquired only through practice and perseverance and not by reading or listening to it.  Because it is a discipline, it needs to be exercised diligently and much effort is required in the process, knowing that our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak.

Great men of faith through the centuries have emphasized the importance and the urgency of prayer.  Jack Hayford* mentioned in his book ‘Prayer Is Invading The Impossible’ that “…prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand-in-hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth.” In other words, we become co-labourers with God when we engage in prayer for His kingdom’s sake.

Even as Christians nationwide observe 40 days of fast and prayer, it is timely as Christians to ask if we have been faithful in our prayer life. We need to examine and discipline ourselves because to excel in prayer can be considered a mark of godliness. William Carey attested to this when he wrote: “Prayer – secret, fervent, believing prayer – lies at the root of all personal godliness.” We need not be like the prophets of old who prayed for God’s judgment upon the people and the land.  Instead, we can be the new “Elijahs” to bring about change because “prayer changes things (and people)”. Let us therefore determine in our hearts to exercise and flex our spiritual muscles in prayer.

“God does nothing but in answer to prayer” – John Wesley

* Jack Hayford is the President of the International Church of the FourSquare Gospel and is the author of more than four dozen books, 600 hymns and choruses. He wrote the highly acclaimed hymn “Majesty” (1978).