What are you willing to do for a more vibrant prayer life?
Get up at 5 AM every morning to pray?
Make an extensive prayer journal?
Read the Bible more often?
Schedule times to pray with others?
Study various prayers in the Bible?
Fasting twice a week with prayer?
Read other books on prayer, E.M. Bounds or Andrew Murray?
None of these options are necessarily bad choices. Good cases could be made for each of them. However, I would like us to consider what we often do not consider when it comes to our prayer life. We must pursue genuine, thriving relationship with God to experience a vibrant prayer life!
There is a stirring story told by our Lord in this passage. Take a moment and read Luke 11:5-8.
What is the key to the illustration that the Lord gives here in Luke 11? It is in one word – importunity. This word means PERSISTENT and EXPECTANT. Some commentators point out that the word could also mean “shamelessness.” Therefore, some would say this passage means that the man will give his neighbor some bread, so he is not perceived as inhospitable. Regardless, the importunity of the man asking for bread is the key.
How can I come to the Lord to ask for such things when I have already received more than I ever deserved? Such importunity in the believer is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ -- it’s not because of me that I can come to the Lord, but it is because of the Lord I can come to the Lord! It is because of the relationship that God initiated with me!
All the way back in Genesis 3, God pointed to His redemptive plan.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied in chapter 53 of God’s coming sacrifice for our redemption.
In Matthew 1 and Luke 2, we are told the prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus.
In John 1, John the Baptist calls Jesus the “Lamb of God!” A lamb was well known as the required sacrifice one’s own sin.
The gospels record for us God’s immense love for each of us -- before, during, and after His crucifixion.
II Corinthians 5:21 tells us Jesus was made sin for US, that we might be made the righteousness of God.
It is clear! God loves YOU! He sought YOU out before we ever desired a relationship with Him (I John 4:10, 19). He went to great extremes for YOU. He made it possible for you and me to appear righteous before God the Father – and approach the holy God in prayer!
So, if a neighbor who doesn’t want to get up – “gets up” – how much more will God – who wants to “get up” – meet the need of the importunate one! (v. 13)
How do we know this for sure? The scriptures tell us so in the next few verses! (Luke 11: 9-10)
Keep on asking…
Keep on seeking…
Keep on knocking…
With these truths from Luke 11 in mind, consider with me …
4 Targets for a Vibrant Prayer Life
1. Focus on the primary goal.
Prayer is about relationship with God. The target is not my physical need. The target I must aim to hit is “closer relationship with Jesus” (James 4:8; I John 4:19) …to know Him more…to glorify the One true God. (“Hallowed be thy name”) (I Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17, 23)
Relationship also needs to be in good standing. Refusing to confess and forsake my own sin will devastatingly hinder my prayers (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:13; I John 1:9)!
2. Release control and depend heavily on God.
I cannot be my own God – that would be disastrous! I need daily dependence on Him (“give us this day our daily bread”). Waiting is hard for everyone, but remember, God is good. I have trusted Him for eternal life as a Christian. Can I not trust Him for daily life? (Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 26:3-4; Romans 6:13)
3. Assess your debt ledger.
Is everything “paid in full?” Are you still holding over someone their transgression against you – but they have already asked for forgiveness? Are you struggling with forgiveness? Okay. Stop for a moment and write down the sin or sins that come to mind that you can’t seem to forgive. Now, in a column next to that list, write down the sins God has forgiven you…write the times God has shown you great mercy…write down the sins you haven’t even spoken out loud to another, except God Himself. Every one of us has received God’s great mercy – even more than we can enumerate. What keeps you from showing such mercy to one who asks for your forgiveness? (Luke 6:36; Ephesians 4:32)
4. Dig in and stay at His throne with faith, believing.
Luke 11:9-10. Keep on praying -- even after it feels too long, too hard, and too much (Matt. 7:7-8). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” -- Isaiah 55:8. So, your prayers may not be answered in the exact way you have imagined…but they will be answered in ways that are best for you to become more like Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
Do not grow weary because of the delay in the answer to your petitions to the almighty God.
Delay doesn’t mean disinterest or desertion of your God!
His way is perfect – Isaiah 26:3-4 – trust ye in the Lord forever!