The following is part 2 from a blog series based on R.A. Torrey’s classicThe Power of Prayer. R.A. Torrey (1856-1928) was an American evangelist, professor, pastor, and author. He is one of the three editors of The Fundamentals, an early 20th century defense of orthodox Protestant beliefs. Find more from R.A. Torrey at the BLB.
Ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2 KJV).
These seven words contain the secret of the poverty and powerlessness of the average Christian, of the average minister, and of the average church. “Why is it,” many a Christian is asking, “that I make such poor progress in my Christian life? Why do I have so little victory over sin? Why do I win so few souls to Christ? Why do I grow so slowly into the likeness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” And God answers in the words of the text: “Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not.”
“Why is it,” many a minister is asking, “that I see so little fruit from my ministry? Why are there so few conversions? Why does my church grow so slowly? Why are the members of my church so little helped by my ministry, and built up so little in Christian knowledge and life?” And again God replies: “Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not.”
“Why is it,” both ministers and churches are asking, “that the church of Jesus Christ is making such slow progress in the world today? Why does it make so little headway against sin, against unbelief, against error in all its forms? Why does it have so little victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil? Why is the average church member living on such a low plane of Christian living? Why does the Lord Jesus Christ get so little honor from the state of the church today?” And, again, God replies: “Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not.”
steve morrow says
July 19, 2012 at 7:53 amJames 4:3
You ask and receive not because you ask amiss that you may consume it upon your own lusts
James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways
James 1:7
For let not that man think he shall receive any thing from the LORD
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence we have in HIM that —-IF—-we ask anything according to HIS will HE heareth us
1 John 5:15
And if we know that HE hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM
HELP US LORD JESUS THAT WE WOULD NOT BE —-PROUD—ARROGANT—
AND HUNG UP WITH OUR OWN OPINIONS HELP US LOSE OURSELVES FOR YOU AND FOR THE GOSPEL THAT WE MIGHT BE SAVED AND HELP US TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND OF THE GOSPEL
WE —ASK— JESUS IN YOUR NAME THAT THE FATHER MAY HEAR US AMEN
Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding
but delights in airing his own opinions
Matthew 15:8
THIS PEOPLE DRAWETH NIGH UNTO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH AND HONORETH WITH ME WITH THEIR LIPS BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME
Mark 7:6
HE answered and said unto them
Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites
as it is written THIS PEOPLE HONORETH ME WITH THEIR LIPS BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME
Mark 7:7
HOWBEIT IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME
TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN
Romans 3:12
THEY ARE ALL GONE OUT OF THE WAY THEY ARE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD NO NOT ONE
Romans 3:13
THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN SEPULCHRE WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE USED DECEIT THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS
1 Thessalonians 2:10
You are witnesses and GOD also how holily and justly and unblameable we behaved ourselves among you that believe
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me even as I also am of CHRIST
1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY
HELP US LORD JESUS TO FOLLOW YOUR EXAMPLE AND THAT OF PAUL YOUR SERVANT WHO—WAS—AT ONE TIME THE CHIEFEST AMONG SINNERS CLEANSE US LORD WE PRAY THAT WE WOULD BE PURE FOR YOU IN YOUR NAME
LOVING THE LORD
Daniel says
July 22, 2012 at 5:20 amI personaly want to give all glory and honor to our Lord and Saviour Jesus our Christ. Without his Holy Spirit and his Holy Word, we would not have the victory daily over sin. Yes intercessory prayer is and can only be #1 of our strengths to maintain what God has given to us all on the cross of Calvery with his shed blood of his Son Jesus for my sins or temptations and the temptations of the world that the Devil brings into our view daily.
We as believers in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and not to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof. Romans 13:14. We must put on the whole armour of God, daily and stay prayed up, or pray without ceasing so that we are able to speak Gods Holy Word as we ought to speak, and not to be a forgetful hearer; Ephesians 6:10-17, 18-20, James 1:12-17.
My opinion only based on Gods Word. The church is not stable because of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life that comes from the pulpit, and filters through the congregation. 2 Timothy 3:1-5,6-7. For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7; The church is fearful and wavering because our so called mega church leaders are not standing true to the Word of God, but they have sold out to the world or the love of money to keep those monuments that they have built, that are now becoming great machines for the masses, that will soon just become a memory of a movement. God has prophesied it and it is here.
The church needs to go back to the simple things of soul winning, and teaching the pure sincere word of God, and discipling its sheep without being wolves in sheeps clothing, fleesing the flocks. Pray for me that God will us me, more to do his will and not my own.
steve morrow says
July 22, 2012 at 10:41 amLORD JESUS if we have your truth is it not therefore truth and not opinion
HELP US O LORD TO BE AMBASSADORS OF TRUTH AND NOT OF OPINION THAT WE MAY HONOR AND GLORIFY YOU AND THE FATHER AND NOT OURSELVES
1 Peter 4:11
IF ANY MAN SPEAK LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD
if any man minister let him do it of the ability which GOD giveth that GOD in all things may be glorified through JESUS CHRIST to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever AMEN
1 John 2:27&28
But the anointing which you have received of HIM abideth in you
AND YOU NEED NOT THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU
but as the anointing teacheth you of all things
—-AND IS TRUTH—-AND IS NO LIE—-and even as it hath taught you you shall abide in HIM
(28) And now little children abide in HIM
that when HE shall appear we may have confidence
and not be ashamed at HIS coming
Matthew 23:10
But be not called Rabbi for one is your master even CHRIST and all ye are brethren
Luke 8:21
And HE answered and said unto them
My mother and my brethren are these which
HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND DO IT
Matthew 23:10
Neither be ye called masters for one is your master even CHRIST
Ecclesiastes 12:11
The words of the wise are as goads and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies
WHICH ARE GIVEN FROM ONE SHEPARD
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want
John 5:34
But I receive not testimony from man
BUT THESE THINGS I SAY THAT YOU MIGHT BE SAVED
John 5:43&44
I am come in my FATHERS name and you receive ME not
If another come in his own name him you will receive
(44)How can you believe which receive honor from one of another
and seek not the honor that cometh from GOD only
LOVING THE LORD
naomi says
July 24, 2012 at 10:28 pmI loved your comments and Scriptures, especially Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. How true and what valuable wisdom
jhnsn d-s says
July 20, 2012 at 11:18 amThe conclusion that religions failures are a result of lack of prayer is questionable since prayer may not always be recognized.
“[This is] what occurred as the word of[yhwh]…to Jeremiah concerning the matters of the droughts:” “On account of the soil that has been shattered because there has occurred no downpour upon the land, the farmers have become ashamed; they have covered their head.” Jeremiah 14
Back in the days of jereimah unfaithfulness would cause prayer to be unheard or not answered.
The poor corn Farmers in the midwestern states are experince drought which is no secret and will effect not only their live stock food supplys but maybe even China because they not to long ago, made future large purchases of corn.