A Theology of Prayer - Struggles in Prayer

Study 13

Text: Psalm 4

PERSEVERING IN PRAYER

Success in prayer is not impossible. Nevertheless, the prayer warrior must understand that it would take great perseverance before he can hope to succeed! (The psalms represent the prayer efforts of the psalmists! All know this vital truth! There must be perseverance if one is to succeed in prayer).

A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

Prayer is much more than mere utterance of words of petition to God. The psalms display an important fact. The psalmists appear to have had a deep knowledge of God. Let us consider the following text as an example.

"Hear me, when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer…
But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him."
Psalm 4:1, 3

1. Knowledge of God drawn from experiences in life

God had heard the many cries of David in the past! Answered prayers form a rich source of knowledge concerning the character of God!

a) "God of my righteousness"

David knew that God was characterized by righteousness! Thus He was diametrically opposite to those who bent on unrighteous activities!

b) "The Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly"

The believer need not fear that God would turn a deaf ear to his pleas. The Lord has in fact set aside those who are godly for Himself. These are called His "elect." They are His people to whom He has committed Himself to caring for them!

c) "The Lord will hear when I call to Him"

Such was the confidence that David had in the Lord! His knowledge of God led him to believe that his prayers would never be in vain! Thus there must be every encouragement to pray with great perseverance.

2. Pleading the Mercies of the Lord

There are some who teach that one must "claim" God's promises! This understanding of prayer is based on a faulty application of the Lord and the Scriptures! Instead of "claiming promises" the psalmist pleaded the mercies of the Lord! He was right!

A PARTICULAR REASON WHY PERSEVERANCE MUST BE EXERCISED

There are many reasons why perseverance must be practised. Evil will never yield easily. It will resist in every way possible! If evil is to be defeated, there must be a strong spirit of perseverance!

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~