Thank you for this reminder. Prayer is a wonderful gift of God that we greatly neglect. Would we be able to enter into a direct discussion with the President of this nation, or even the Governor of our individual states, most likely not. Yet, we have the priviledge of entering the throne room of God, the creator of all that is, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords and have an intimate discussion with Him thru the work of His son, Jesus. Let's not take this honor for granted and make sure we are taking time throughout each day to communicate with the God of the universe. Not only does He grant us time, but He desires to hear from us individually. He longs to communicate with each of us.

That is a great article!

Thank you very much for sharing this to us. I very much agree with what Bro. Troy comment. Prayer, likewise, is declaring our dependency on HIM who knows everything, presence everywhere, and all mighty in every way. It is also confessing our foolishness before the GOD of mercy and grace. It is HIS mercy that we need, and HIS grace that we should have. Prayer is acknowledging GOD's greatness over our weaknesses and HIS holiness over our wickedness. It is seeing myself as nothing that needed the fullness of GOD; seeing myself as broken that needed the perfectness of GOD; and seeing myself as filthy rag that needed the cleansing power of GOD. Prayer is a lifestyle and a relationship, not a duty or obligation.

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When I first discovered the writings of John Charles Ryle a few years ago, it was this portion on "Do You Pray?" [taken from Ryle's book Practical Religion] that moved my heart like no other author had done. It was convicting and encouraging at the same time. Ryle has such an incredible writing style; it's as if he's talking directly to YOU.

I've recently put together a website dedicated to the quotes of J.C. Ryle @ http://jcrylequotes.com/

I pray this site will continue to encourage those who have read Ryle in the past, as well as, those who are exposed to Ryle for the first time.

Thanks again for this solid reminder by Ryle on prayer.

Soli Deo Gloria.

~ Erik Kowalker
http://jcrylequotes.com/

I needed this today. Painfully convicting, but leads to healing.

So, I know we should pray, so I guess we can just really just pray what Jesus did, (That your kingdom come, lead us not into temptation etc one.) Really, anything asking for God really won't work anyway. Cause here's the thing, what we ask for may not be what God intended, so really there's no need to ask right?!
My point is, God has plan A and nothing we do can change His plan A to B. And even if we do change it to plan B, it's His purpose anyway. Think Hezekiah, that dumbo who asked for 15 more years of his life back in the OT, if he didn't ask for that, then there won't be a Mannaseh evil son who was 13 years old when reigned. So back to the example of God asking Abraham to pray for Abimelech, it's His will anyway. And He commands us to pray. So what I'm saying is, don't be too hyped about all this. Just pray those sentences Jesus gave, pass 60%, your good.

Kenny, you're right that God has determined the end. However, we must understand that He also has determined the means to that end. Many times, His ends are brought about by prayer, because He has determined that it should be the case. Using the example that you mentioned in Genesis 20, read it again and notice that the text does not state anything about God asking Abraham to pray for Abimelech. God only revealed to Abimelech that He (God) would spare Abimelech's life as a result of Abraham's life. When Abraham actually prayed, he was just doing what he wanted to do, having no idea that God was going to to use that prayer to spare Abimelech's life. Also, in verse 7, God told Abimelech to restore Abraham's wife. What do you think would have happened if Abimelech had reasoned like this: "Well, God already said that He's going to spare my life. Therefore, I don't have to restore Abraham's wife." The same verse gives the answer, which is that God would have killed him. My point in all of this is that our actions, including prayer, should never be approached thinking that they have no benefit. God Himself makes it clear that we are not to separate His means from His end. Although we know that God has determined to save His people, faith is the means by which that happens. Prayerfully, no one will reason that since God has determined who He will save, no one needs to believe.

In the fourth sentence above, I meant to write that God would spare Abimelech's life as a result of Abraham's "prayer", not life.

Interesting that this is brought up. Pulpit did a series on this not too long ago, called Why Pray if God is Sovereign. It was a four part series. Some may be interested: http://www.sfpulpit.com/2009/01/22/if-god-is-sovereign-why-pray/

Hey, thanks for the answer, it cleared up a bit of my thoughts.
Btw, yes, that's why I'm in shephersfellowship website, cause I read that 4 part series and it didn't answer my questions and there's a blog that said "we've moved."

You know, Marlon and Michael,
I gotta have to tell you guys something. To be honest with you, back to Abimelech, I really don't think he would've died even if he didn't give sarah back. Since Abraham was still this passive fellow who tells others his wife is really his sister, it really was Abraham who sinned first, by lying. And why would Abraham lie? Cause he's afraid of Abimelech king of Gurr, he's afraid this king is going to have his soldiers kill him. So really, Mr. Abimelech really could say "yo Abraham, pray for me." and He would get both his life, and a beautiful concubine named Sarah.

But of course, both you and I, we're going guessing, no one really knows the answer, but one story that could support my point of view will have to be Jonah, while I was reading. Jonah just wouldn't tell the city it has time to repent, so he goes on a ship and gets swallowed by a whale and ends up doing it anyway. So I'm just saying, whatever you want to be, really, God has planned it anyway, there's really no need to try at all. It's either going to happen, or it's not. So yes, we should pray and try to spread the gospel cause we're supposed to, we should work hard at our job whatever that may be, but really, that american idol dream? well, it's only going to be God who determines if your going to be the next american idol, if He determines so, you can sing horribly and still make it to #1. If fact, if He determines it, you don't have to do jack, He'll make your friends apply to the show for you, and get you a free taxi to the try-outs and make all 4 judges fall for you and millions of people fall for your voice. Btw, I'm just using american idol as an example, not that I really want to be american idol you know.

You know, ephesians 2, about how God gives you the grace and the faith, and everything really is up to God, so that really means, whether you become a Christian or not, go to Heaven or not, it really is already determined by God.

So yeah, all of us, just do our white collar or blue collar jobs and stop dreaming about becoming a celebrity or the next bill gates, cause if it's going to happen, it's going to happen, if it's not, no matter how hard you try, it's not going to happen. There's this kid called Nick, who has no arms and legs, that came to talk at my church a few weeks ago, he's saying that even him, who has no arms and legs can swim and do all sorts of stuff, think of how us, who actually have arms and legs, how much potential we have. Well, God is fair, I didn't get a chance to talk to that fellow, but I really wanna say, us, with arms and legs, we do the same stuff you no arms and legs do, we get a gf, we buy them dinner and give them compliments, and unable to have sex with them before marraige, and they cheat on us before marriage happens and we end up a bit poorer in material and heart. But if think of it another way, we can sleep around and prob get STDs and die and go to hell. It is a lose lose situation here. So I guess the only thing worth looking forward to, is death, and hopefully heaven after death eh?!

Kenny,

I think you misunderstand God's absolute, and even determinative, sovereignty. It's not true that since God will work out everything according to His good pleasure (which He has decreed from before the foundation of the world) that we can just sit back and be passive and watch it happen. It's not true, simply because that's not how God has determined to act. As Marlon mentioned, He has decreed the ends and the means to get to those ends.

We agree on the sovereignty of God in election. But we as Christians don't just evangelize because it's our duty. We do it because it is by the preaching of the Word by "earthen vessels" that God works this miracle of the new birth. Could everybody just get ::zap:: saved!? Sure, if God designed the world that way. But He didn't. He created reality such that there are means to achieving His determined ends. It doesn't mean that we can foil His plans by resisting. That's thinking about this from the entirely wrong angle. It means that we get to participate in His plan by joyfully (not just dutifully) obeying.

And the same is true with prayer, in relation to everything that happens. The truth of election and divine sovereignty in salvation doesn't make us slack or apathetic in evangelizing, because evangelizing is the God-ordained means to accomplishing His ends. In the same way, the truth of divine sovereignty in every area of life shouldn't make us slack or apathetic in praying for people and circumstances, because prayer is the God-ordained means to accomplishing His ends.

I really think you'd benefit by re-reading Pulpit's final post (here) on this. It really does answer your questions quite well. From that post:

God’s plan is so comprehensive that it not only includes the final destinies of things but also includes the secondary, creaturely processes that work together to accomplish these ends. For instance, God does not simply ordain light to shine on the earth each day; He also employs the sun, the moon, the stars, and countless other things to accomplish that end. God does not merely determine that someone will recover from a disease; He uses doctors and medicine to accomplish the healing. As the playwright of history, God did not simply write an ending for the book of time. He wrote every word on every page so that all events lead to the grand finale. (Richard Pratt, Pray With Your Eyes Open, 109-10)

Kenny, regarding Abimelech, you said,"I really don't think he would've died even if he didn't give sarah back." I think that statement is really an attack on Scripture. The reason I state that is this: In Genesis 20:7, God makes the following statement: "But if you do not restore {her,} know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours." Now that's God speaking. Based on the fact that God's word tells us exactly what would have happened, I have to disagree with your other statement as well. You said, "But of course, both you and I, we're going guessing, no one really knows the answer." I know the answer, because the Bible tells me so. That's the essence of faith...believe what God has said and live in light of what you believe.

Also, since you said that Abimelech would not have died, that puts your assessment of the situation at odds with God's view. Also, essentially you would have told Abimelech, "You surely will not die!" Now, where have we heard that lie before? Try Genesis 3:4.

well well well, Marlon...

what can I say? A little seeking for an answer on prayer, turns out into a debate that smells slightly of gunpowder eh.

fair enough, I will ease this little agitation by first apologizing for my misquote on mr. Abimelech here. "if he doesn't return Sarah, he will die." (paraphrase)

Then I guess we'll beat this to the pulp then, "God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night," told Mr. Abimelech Sarah's married and tell him to return her, or he will die. and that "[Abraham] is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live." That is what I'm talking about. You see how God intervened? Abimelech may not need to return the wife and his household will all die, but God did make it very clear you can choose which ever. I mean, I think with this kind of intervention, anyone's bound to return Sarah. See later, "[Abimelech] told all these things in their hearing and the men were greatly frightened." So technically speaking, I guess yes, you could say that God has given Abimelech a choice. but let's look on.

You may say oh, it's a choice for Abimelech, he can choose to sleep with this "sister" of Abraham's and die forever or he could return her and get spared. Which one would anyone choose? huh? That's what I'm talking about. The choice is just so limited. This choice is so narrow and of unequal balance that it forces Abimelech to return her, look how frightened everyone is. And how does God know that Abraham will pray for him? You see, Abraham was the one wrong at first, and he has to pray for Abimelech for him to live. This is just so much following the playwright!

What's the fun for Abimelech? He basically has to do whatever God says. He even reasons with God in his dream, but still has to return her. And we note that Abraham, did get richer without the need of his wife sleeping with a king, twice.

So instead of putting me next to Satan on ""You surely will not die!" Now, where have we heard that lie before?" Why don't we start focusing on what I really want to say and focus a bit on my examples like Abimelech and Jonah. Oh, and since we're on Abimelech, why don't we read down and see where Isaac was born. So Abraham tried to do things his way by sleeping with Hagar, God said, "no, it's going to come from Sarah." (paraphrase) You see what I mean here? He has his plan. I'm not saying we should all sit back and enjoy the show, but thinking about it, sometimes we should sit back and enjoy the show. Whether we return the wife or not, really isn't up to us. So Marlon, your twisting of my words and comparing me being similiar to Satan is, ... "pre-mature". But then again, your no stranger to that feeling aren't you?

Marlon and Michael,

Well, after a bit of prayer, I guess I want to apologize for what I've said earlier on, I guess I was a bit frustrated and couldn't swallow some of your words. But re-savoring both your words again, I guess that what's brothers in Christ are supposed to do eh, lead each other to the truth.

Without further adieu, I would like to re-focus on what I'm trying to ask and assert here in my posts.

My concern, and question, and worry, is that God has a plan and a will for the whole thing. And we being participants of His will, so are we going to participate freely? or participate in a way He has narrowly determined? (I really don't want to go back to our example, but just to make sure everyone's on the same page, "You can either give Sarah back and live, or not give her back and die.")

You see, God has given me lots of talents and gifts in certain areas of my life. But everytime I'm about to accomplish the mundane, what I'm gifted to do, He stops me. With the weirdest and most absurd way. And it's not once, but like, a zillion times this past year. Yes, this past year has been very weird. Some say God has a great plan for me and stuff like that and that what I wanted to do may harm me and what He wants me to do is what's best for me. Yes, I think that's absolutely correct. But you know, on a bad day, and I'm frequenting bad days these days, what my friends say seems very hard to swallow.

So again, I wanted to point out, that verse "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Yea, but the rule is that our desires has to match His though.

So anyway, that's really what I have to say.

Kenny, I'm sorry that I offended you my with my question "Now, where have we heard that lie before?" My intention was not to offend you. However, I was hoping that you would see that your exact words called into question God's statement to Abimelech and needed to be re-considered. Again, I'm sorry that I offended you, because there is no excuse for it. It should have been laden with grace as Eph 4:29 instructs. Again, I'm sorry.

Regarding your most recent post, I really think you hit it on the nail. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He does give us the desires of our hearts, because our desires will be godly desires. In other words, as we delight in Him, He will plant godly desires in our heart. We begin to love what God loves and hate what He hates (we become more like Christ). So essentially, as Christians we seek to live our lives by running our thoughts and actions through the grid of Scripture and then doing what we want to do. For instance, if I'm choosing between two professions, I shouldn't expect to receive a special voice from heaven. I would have different things to consider (such as time away from family, ministry, distance from home, etc.). Rather than telling us the specifics of where to work, who to marry, where to live, etc., oftentimes we find that God has merely narrowed the playing field for us. That means that we have freedoms within His limits (if that makes sense - LOL). So while God has not told me whether to marry A, B, or C, He did tell me that I am forbidden to marry a non-believer. Also, as you have correctly stated, even if I choose the unbeliever, in some weird way it will prove to have been according to His will (though there would be consequences for my sin). So as it relates to prayer, God has determined to use it as a way to bring glory to Himself. In 2 Cor 9, we learn that when the saints gave money to meet the needs of other saints, it proved to have been an answer to prayer, which caused the recipients to praise God for answered prayer. So I think the main point was that the only reason that we value prayer is because of God's instructions regarding it. Since we know that He has determined to bring about certain things in response to prayer, we gladly do it. One thing it does is keep at the front of or minds how utterly dependent we are of Him.

Kenny, now you know I couldn't resist - how ironic is it that in this discussion on prayer, your most recent post came after you prayed - LOL. Bro, know that your apology is accepted, and I hope you receive my apology to you.

I just wanted to say that I appreciate the HONESTY in all of these posts. I have asked many of these questions before. My best answer is that prayer will note change the Sovereign decree, but it will help us to accept (Matt 26:42) that, My Father, if this acannot pass away unless I drink it, bYour will be done.

Marlon,

Thanks, got it, happy you got mine too.

Well, I guess I got the answers I wanted, the next step will be taking action...funny though, I do pray for each of my posts except the first one.

i love to pray so much

Maybe I missed it, but has the guys at Pulpit gone on hiatus? :) Just miss the postings.

We do not pray to demand but to ask, seek, and knock. We are needy of knowing what is included for us in "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". Too often I wait to get desperate before I earnestly pray and find that it is on my knees that I get assurance of heart and often a more clear sense of direction. "Do You Pray?" is a convicting and important question. Thank you!