"Watch thou in all things"

II Tim. 4:5

Intro: One of the most important areas in our Christian life that we should carefully "watch" is the ministry of prayer. When an essential element in a believer’s life goes by the wayside, the first element that is generally deleted or dropped is prayer. Prayer has been called "the golden key that unlocks the treasury of God and brings the blessing of the skies to the soul." Therefore it is imperative that the believer’s prayer life be carefully guarded against all fleshly and satanic attempts to derail it.

I GUARDING AGAINST INTERRUPTIONS IN PRAYER—Matt. 6:6. There is no effectual ministry where the believer is challenged more by human interruptions than the divine vocation of prayer. Satan’s guns are especially targeted on prayer, therefore believers must take special precautions to insure a private "closet" place and time for regular prayer.

While Prayer has no circumstantial limitations concerning time or place, God’s saints need to come aside regularly and meet God alone apart from the presence of other individuals, without interruptions. Jesus called this "closet" praying in Matt. 6:6. In his book, Gems of Truth, W.G. Ketcherson notes that "The secret prayer chamber is indispensable; where we are shut up with God. It cannot be fruitless and the results will be manifested openly."

While there will sometimes be both divine and human disruptions, private communion with God is an imperative necessity in Christian living and ministry. No believer can spiritually succeed without regular seasons of "closet" praying.

II GUARDING AGAINST INDIFFERENCE IN PRAYER—Matt. 6:6. This writer is not referring here to neglect of prayer, but careless attitudes and meaningless affirmations in prayer. In this instructive segment that precedes the "Model Prayer," [sometimes erroneously called the "Lord’s Prayer." The "Lord’s Prayer is in John 17, not Matt. 6.] Christ warned his disciples about "vain repetition" in prayer, by which He meant phrases/words carelessly uttered without sincere heart concern; that is, words that are carelessly and indifferently invoked.

God’s name should be not used merely as a "pause" in prayer and a chance to catch one’s breath. Prayer involves intimate divine communion with the infinite God of glory, the believer’s creator, clothier, caretaker, chastener, counselor, comforter, compensator and a host of other divine appellations. For believing saints, prayer should never be considered as just a casual meeting, but a divine encounter.

III GUARDING AGAINST INGRATITUDE IN PRAYER—Phil 4:6-7. According to this passage, our supplications to our Heavenly Father must always accompanied by a heart filled with thanksgiving. A well-known Christian leader was correct when he aptly stated that "when gratitude dies on the altar of a Christian’s heart, that believer is well nigh hopeless."

The book of Psalms is saturated with renditions of praise and thanksgiving to God for His numerous blessings. In Ps. 103:2, the psalmist exhorted God’s saints to "bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits." God’s blessings come refreshingly new every day and they should never be taken for granted. It must not be forgotten, too, that the grateful heart is always the joyful heart, Phil. 4:4.

IV GUARDING AGAINST IGNORANCE IN PRAYER—I Cor. 14:15. Ignorance of one’s true spiritual condition is not a spiritual virtue, neither is ignorance of those things for which the believer needs to pray some kind of a spiritual premium. While it is true that due to our human sinful infirmities, we do not always know how to pray and for what we should pray (Rom. 8:26), and that in such cases, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Rom. 8:27), this fact does not excuse general or specific ignorance about matters for which we should be regularly interceding.

The more we become acquainted with God via a teachable spirit through His inerrant Word, the more knowledgeable we will become regarding those vital concerns and issues for which we should pray. The more we know the Word, the more enlightened we will become concerning the great needs of our own soul and the essential needs of others.

V GUARDING AGAINST INFIDELITY IN PRAYER—Heb. 11:6. Genuine prayer is really the plea of a helpless soul coming to God. In his classic treatise on prayer, the Swedish Fundamentalist pastor, O. Hallesby defines prayer as a "coming to Jesus with our helplessness." This verse makes it plain that we cannot please God apart from the vital element of faith.

In Matt. 21:22, Jesus said that "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." Christ’s classic treatise in John 14 not only concerns (a) Heavenly Destiny—14:1-6, (b) Holy Spirit Dwelling—14:16-17, but also (c) Honorable Desires—16:13-14. In Luke 9:23, Jesus declared that "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

VI GUARDING AGAINST IMPOSSIBILITIES IN PRAYER—Ps. 66:18. This verse is clear in its divine instruction that "if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." We cannot continuously commit sin, without genuine repentance and expect answers to prayer. Prov. 28:13 says that "He that covereth his sin shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

God’s saints must be in harmony with the Will of God—I John 2:17 and the Word of God—Joshua 1:8 for prayer to be answered. God never acts contrary to His inspired and His inerrant Word. To pray for God’s blessing on that which God has prohibited in His Word is not only asking "amiss"—James 4:3, but such praying also maligns God’s divine nature.

VII GUARDING AGAINST IMPOTENCY IN PRAYER—Acts 4:31. Prayer without power is like a light bulb with no electricity. There will be no energy apart from proper connection to the harnessing source. In this text in Acts 4, the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer are inextricably linked together. The book of Acts has been aptly subtly subtitled, "The Acts of the Holy Spirit."

The potent results of the early Christians/churches in Acts are closely tied to the numerous prayers/praying recorded in the book’s 28 chapters. While the mighty acts recorded Pentecost came in answer to Bible prophecy, the prayer preparations of Acts 1:14 cannot be overlooked as a major contributing factor.

Conclusion: While "guarding" is a defensive action, it paves the way for positive results before God’s throne. Believers who carefully guard their prayer lives will experience the fullness of God’s blessings and joys—John 16:24.

Thought: "Guarding in prayer will result in gaining in prayer."

Note: These "Studies in the School of Prayer" were delivered several years ago during a three-year series on this vital theme in mid-week services at a church where yours truly served as pastor. They are being occasionally reprinted in F.D. issues, with plans for eventual publication in a book, along with additional prayer outlines, prayer quotes and brief sermonic capsules by deceased authors on this theme after the studies are all re-worked and reprinted.