Unspoken a need

[Chrysostom]

You ask for prayer, and that is good, but have you made your own supplication with urgency and tears? For God hears the prayer of the one who prays, not merely of those who ask for prayers while they themselves sleep. Why do you go to others when the Lord Himself stands ready to hear you? The request ought to come from those who have the need, that the miracle may be free from suspicion. Do not place yourself in a situation to need others’ prayers without your own zeal. Paul did not say, “What need have I of prayer,” even though he labored more than all, and yet you say by your inaction, “Pray for me,” while neglecting your own watchfulness? The weapon is in your hands, but a warrior must wield it.

Prayer is a great weapon, an impregnable wall, a tower unshaken. Yet we need both our own part and God’s part if we are to be truly helped. You have a need, as you say. Then rise up early, make God propitious by your own persistent supplication, and go forth to your daily fight with that armor. Do not think rare cases excuse neglect, some have cast out demons without fasting, but the one living luxuriously cannot be delivered from such madness. Fasting implants strictness and fights against incorporeal powers, but it must be joined with your own prayer first. Have you laid hold of this weapon, or do you only ask others to lift it for you?

If your need is pressing, then pour it out yourself before the throne of grace. The Lord taught His disciples to have confidence in prayer, saying they would do greater things through faith and supplication. But He did not command them to rely solely on the prayers of others while they remained idle. I do not forbid you to seek the prayers of the saints, far from it, but it is when we ourselves are on the alert that such help profits us. Exalt not yourself by thinking you have no need to pray, yet neither humble yourself by forsaking your own duty. Prayer without your own earnest works will not avail; works without prayer are lifeless. Present yourself, then, together with your need, and let thanksgiving already rise in your heart, for the Giver knows what you require before you ask.

 

[Silas]

You have brought a need before the Lord, and even if it remains unspoken to us, it is fully known to Him. There is a deep comfort in that truth. Prayer is not an information session where we clue God in on what is happening. Your Father already knows exactly what you need before you ever form the words. That does not make prayer unnecessary; it changes the nature of it. You are not breaking down a reluctant God by persistent begging, as if He finally gives in just to get some peace. Instead, you are coming to a Father who loves you and whose chief concern is your eternal good, even as He cares about your temporal needs.

When you pray, remember that God desires to become whatever your particular need might be. If you need provision, He is your provider. If you need healing, He is your healer. He wants to be that for you. So approach Him with confidence, not trying to direct Him on exactly how to solve your problem. Sometimes we treat prayer like we have the solution all figured out and we are just asking God to sign off on our plan. But it is far better to lay the need at His feet and ask Him to do what He knows is best. Why limit Him to the small answer you can see when He may be wanting to do something far greater?

Let your prayer begin with relationship. If you know Him as your Father through Jesus Christ, then you have that open door. Let your first thought be a simple hallowing of His name, a worship that acknowledges His greatness over your situation. The problem may loom like a giant, but He is the Creator who holds everything in His hands. From that place of trust, present your request. There is nothing wrong with asking for personal things. We are told to bring our daily needs, our need for forgiveness, and our need for guidance and deliverance. Bring your unspoken request in that simple, direct way.

Do not think the effectiveness depends on the length of your prayer or using just the right words. The short, fervent prayer that rises from your heart in real desperation avails much. Continue in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving. Persistence is not about changing God’s mind; it is often about aligning our hearts with His purpose. The moment you come into harmony with what He is wanting to do, you will see the answer. I join you in agreement, knowing that when two or three agree on earth concerning anything, it shall be done.

Make prayer your first resort in this emergency, not your last resort when all else fails. And as you pray, also use the wisdom God has given you. Prayer is never an excuse to do nothing. It precedes and empowers right action, but it does not preclude it. Pray, and then take the wise and prudent steps before you. Trust that as you open the door through prayer, God will step in and accomplish His will in your life.