(Mark 14:32-42)
Every occasion when we know we should pray but choose not to, we sin.
A. Prayerlessness is sin
a. Jesus expected / expects his disciples to pray. (He warned his disciples “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” – Mark 14:38 NIV)
b. The Bible time and again teaches us to pray. Our lack of prayer is not just a weakness; it is disobedience to God’s clear commands. Sometimes our neglect of prayer is part of our rebellion against God and his ways. (As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. – 1 Samuel 12:23 NIV)
c. James, in his letter, teaches us that to know we ought to do something good and yet not do it is sin. (If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. – James 4:17 NIV)
B. Prayerlessness manifests itself in a number of different ways, usually involving some aspect of neglect or disobedience.
a. Disobedience of specific commands of Scripture
i. We are instructed to pray for the authorities. (I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. - 1 Timothy 2:1-2)
ii. Jesus asked his disciples to pray for more labourers to be sent into the harvest field. (And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. – Luke 10:2 ESV)
iii. The Lord’s prayer – the pattern of prayer Jesus taught his disciples – places the concern for God’s glory and for his Kingdom front and centre. (“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:9-10 NIV)
b. Neglect of opportunities to pray for specific needs
i. Prayer for those who ask to pray for them – those who are sick, or in some other need. Parents or grandparents concerned for their children’s salvation and welfare. Missionaries and other workers on the mission field. Pastors and staff in churches; denominational leaders; etc.
ii. Prayer for those we have some measure of responsibility for. Immediate family – spouse, children, grandchildren. Employees, coworkers and teammates. For their welfare and salvation.
iii. Prayer for our sister congregations and partner organisations.
iv. Prayer for those whose trouble or need we become aware of, especially the persecuted church worldwide.
C. Prayerlessness robs us of the opportunity to live and work in close friendship and partnership with God.
a. We have been given entrance into the throne room of heaven. Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for the church and we are invited, as his friends, to join him in this ministry of intercessory prayer. God tells his friends, his servants, what his plans and purposes are.
i. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21 NIV)
ii. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:6 NIV)
iii. …how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17 NIV)
iv. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)
v. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (John 15:14-16 NIV)
vi. Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan (his secret counsel) to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7 NIV)
b. We have been given entrance into the mission field of the earth.
i. Living and working out our restored authority on earth as God’s representatives and stewards. While we can and do engage in programmes and projects in obedience to the ‘cultural’ mandate, our primary calling is to pray. Prayer is the work!
ii. Making disciples through Christ’s delegated authority (Matthew 28:18-20). Once again, while we do engage in evangelism, discipleship and missions, our primary calling is to pray. Prayer is the work!
D. APPLICATION
a. Foundational Lesson: A life of prayer can only be built upon the foundation of deep desire for God. Nothing less than a renewed relationship with Jesus will suffice.
b. Actions: i) Pray – do it; ii) Pray together with others; and iii) Pray with fasting.