While we celebrate Independence Day, commemorating the Declaration of Independence, I am reminded of those who fought to provide freedom for all Americans. Included in those freedoms is the First Amendment, which among other things, protects freedom of speech. As we’ve been exploring how to “fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 6:12), which consists of staying faithful to Jesus despite trials, tribulations, and difficulties by holding fast to God, battling against temptation, and striving to love God and others, I remember our Savior who gave His life that we would have access through Him to have ultimate freedom. In Christ, we have been offered abundant life everlasting. I am mindful of the brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us, laying the foundation, sometimes with their very lives, to pave the way for the gospel to come to you and me. One aspect of the believer’s ultimate freedom in the Lord is the privilege of prayer, which Christians throughout the ages have modeled.
As a citizen of our country, I want to exercise my freedom of speech. But, more so, as a believer, I want to exercise my freedom to pray. As we examine how to fight the good fight, we have come to realize that firstly, we fight the good fight by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit (see: Zechariah 4:6). Our salvation and sanctification (becoming more like Christ in character, love, and on mission with Him) is made a reality in us through coming to the Lord and cooperating with His Spirit’s workings in and through our lives. Secondly, we fight the good fight by remaining committed to Christ. The key is to place Christ at the center of our lives, giving Him control rather than trying to go it alone. Thirdly, we fight the good fight by being sustained by God’s Word. As we surrender to the Spirit’s workings and leading in our lives, He uses Scripture to form us into the image of Christ in our thinking and actions (Romans 12:2). Then, fourthly, we fight the good fight by being sustained by prayer.
James teaches, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). A believer who has been made right with God through Jesus Christ, through prayer, prevails in much. For instance, prayer helps us grow closer to God. Prayer helps us align with God’s will. It gives us strength, hope, peace, comfort, wisdom, and guidance. Further, prayer increases our faith as we experience the Lord’s power, miraculous workings, and breakthroughs. The faithful missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, wrote, “When you work, you work. But when you pray, God works.”
How does prayer work? Or, how does God work as we pray? First, we need to understand that prayer is a conversation with God. Therefore, prayer occurs whenever we speak to God through thought or voice. It’s not a monotonous monologue but a dynamic dialogue. God is always listening and willing to lead and talk to us, which primarily occurs through His Spirit using Scripture. Prayer is inviting God to be a part of our lives by opening our hearts and minds to Him. In short, prayer is direct communication with the Lord. In prayer, we declare our commitment to the Lord, praise Him, offer thanksgiving for who He is and what He’s done, commit our lives to Him, and ask Him to meet the needs of ourselves and others.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” The privilege to pray has been offered to us by God. Through prayer, we can prevail in much. In fact, prayer sustains us. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!