Effective Praying

Jonathan Edwards' resolutions are challenging and instructive, and are worth reading one at a time. Resolution #29 serves as a sifter separating empty words from real prayers: "Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept."

My thoughts and practice of prayer have been challenged by reading the life of George Muller, a man who saw God answer countless prayers with specific provision and delicate timing. What about Muller's prayers were so effective? How can it be that he would see so many prayers answered with such frequency and accuracy that it would embarrass one who called it coincidence?

I think Muller would first respond by saying something of the nature of God rather than of his prayers. Muller's prayers were firmly founded on the faithfulness of God to His Word. For Muller, doubting God's response to the prayer of faith was calling a God a liar. He was occasionally asked what his response would be if God failed to hear his prayers for provision, leaving him and the orphans with no food or clothing. Muller always responded, "Such a failure on God's part is inconceivable, and must therefore be put among the impossibilities."

Muller would also acknowledge, as Edwards does in resolution 29, that one should not assume that all words uttered as a prayer should be considered prayers God would answer. A.T. Pierson says that "five grand conditions of prevailing prayer were ever before [Muller's] mind." I hope that you will consider with me Muller's conditions of prevailing prayer, with the expectation that as we grow in our understanding and practice of prayer as it is taught in the Bible, we will experience the joy and confidence of biblical communion with the prayer hearing God.

Here are Muller's five grand conditions of prevailing prayer:

1. Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing. (John 14:13,14; 15:16ff.)

2. Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin. (Psalm 66:18)

3. Faith in God’s word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer. (Hebrews 11:6; 6:13-20)

4. Asking according with His will. Our motives must be godly: we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our own lusts. (I John 5:13; James 4:3)

5. Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest. (James 5:7; Luke 18:1-10)