What is a Prayer-less Christian?

Tip! If we, God's people expect to carry out the works of Christ that will glorify our Father, then we must believe in Him for the very work's sake, and pray fervently in His Name.

Surely there is nothing as absolutely astonishing as a practically prayer-less Christian? These are eventful and threatening days. In fact, there are many evidences that these are "the last days" in which God promised to pour out His Spirit - the Spirit of prayer - upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). Yet the vast majority of professing Christians scarcely know what "supplication" means; and very many of our churches not only have no prayer-meeting, and sometimes without embarrassment condemn such meetings, and even ridicule them.

There are a few Churches that still recognizing the importance of worship and prayer. Some expect her clergy to read prayers in Church every morning and evening. But when this is done, is it not often to an empty church? And are not the prayers frequently raced through at a pace which precludes real worship? "Common prayer," too, often must necessarily be rather vague and indefinite.

And what of those churches where the old-fashioned weekly prayer-meeting is retained? Would not "weakly" be the more appropriate word? C. H. Spurgeon had the joy of being able to say that he conducted a prayer-meeting every Monday night "which scarcely ever numbers less than from a thousand to twelve hundred attendants."

My brothers and sisters, have we ceased to believe in prayer? If you still hold your weekly gathering for prayer, is it not a fact that the very great majority of your church members never come near it? Yes, and never even think of coming near it. Why is this? Whose fault is it? "It's only a prayer-meeting" - how often we have heard that said! How many of those reading these words really enjoy a prayer-meeting? Is it a joy or just a duty?

Tip! 'Asking of God/ and /receiving' from the Lord - direct request to God, immediate connection with God - that is true prayer.

Please forgive me for asking so many questions and for pointing out what appears to be a perilous weakness and a lamentable shortcoming in our churches. I am not out to criticize - far less to condemn. Anybody can do that. My desire is to stir up Christians "to take hold of" God, as never before. I wish to encourage you, to enlighten and to uplift you.

We are never as high as when we are down on our knees before Christ.