Midway Church of Christ

God does not give us everything for which we pray. Sometimes it is because we have not prayed properly. But how may we know how to pray — what to ask for? We may never learn everything we should not pray for, but we can know some definite things for which we should pray. The key is found in the writing of James 1:5. Here he tells us to pray for wisdom. Then in chapter 3 he tells us what kind of wisdom he means. He calls it “wisdom from above” and contrasts it with wisdom that is “earthy, unspiritual, devilish.”

“Devilish wisdom” is characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition, and results in “disorder” and every “vile practice.” But the “wisdom from above” shows itself in a life that is pure, peaceable, gentile, open to reason, full of mercy and kindly action, and free of hypocrisy.

We shall never ask amiss if we ask God to give us such gifts as purity, gentleness, mercy, honesty, open to reason, and a peace-loving nature. It is hard to use such gifts selfishly. They equip us to live for God by serving others.

The writer James says that if we resist the devil he will flee from us. He flees only until he has a good time to strike again. His likeness to a roaring lion suggests only one form that he takes. He may also appear as the meekest lamb or even as an angel of light. He is the smartest, wiliest enemy; his bag of tricks is inexhaustible and infinitely variable. He has a temptation tailored to every person and situation. He tempts the young with lust, the older with luxury. He tempts the healthy to indulgence, the weak to indolence. He tempts the timid to excuses, and the bold to bigotry.

Every temptation appeals to our selfishness. The key to resisting the devil is the ability to be humble and honest about ourselves, because only by this may we strengthen the points through which he gets to us. Therefore Jesus taught His disciples to watch.

God does not allow Satan to tempt us beyond our power to resist, but He permits Satan to tempt us to improve our will and skill to resist. Therefore Jesus also taught us to pray.

There is an old saying which Jesus used in teaching His disciples. “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”

Many of us are nearly blind. Even those whose eyes have 20/20 vision are limited in sight. We don’t see well. Two men may look at the same scene. One has only partial vision, for he sees what he came to see. The growing soul sees all this but more. He looks for the new, the thus-far-unnoticed. This kind of appreciative seeing always results in bigger men and greater minds.

Having good vision, eyes of the soul, means having an awareness and a deep appreciation of what goes on around us. Someone said that the difference between an optimist and a pessimist is not in what life offers them, but what they choose to see. They look at life differently. With these contrasting views they see a rose bush in bloom. The pessimist complains, “Isn’t it a shame that God placed thorns among roses?” The other responds, “On the contrary, isn’t it wonderful that He placed roses among thorns.” The difference is in the beholder.

Jesus said of those who desired not the truth, “They seeing see not…neither do they understand.”, but of those seeking the truth he said, “Blessed are your eyes for they see.” Attitude makes the difference.

Throughout history there have been noble and courageous men who have made outstanding contributions to their countrymen. There have been men who have lost their lives because they believed in the principle of freedom for all men. There have been men who have given hope and life to others because of their sacrifice.

But there has been one outstanding event in history that overshadows all the rest. Christ, the Son of God,
came into this world, born of a peasant woman. He lived the perfect life. To the Father, He gave perfect obedience. To man He gave love and compassion and teaching and example. Then because sin had man in its power and there was no bope for him, Christ willingly gave His life as a sacrifice, to suffer death for every man that we might have life and hope and salvation. Man, ruined by sin was rescued by Christ.

Matthew Arnold said of the song, “When I survey the Wondrous Cross”, that it contained the finest words in the English language It begins, “When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. My riched gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.” The final line says, “Were the whole realm of nature mine – that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

The instruction from Paul in I Thessalonians 5:17 is simply, “Pray without ceasing.” By this he implies there is a constant need for prayer.

He who meditatively and open-heartedly reads his Bible will inevitably reply unto God, for God’s word will bring conviction, godly sorrow, and confession of sin. The counting of one’s blessings will cause the grateful heart to express its gratitude and joy to the giver of every good gift.

The problems and tragedies of life that come upon us will cause us to cast ourselves upon His loving care and with prayer and supplication seek His comfort and divine aid.

All of this speaking to God will produce the nearness and intimacy which God desires with all men. Let God speak to you through His word, the Bible. Let us speak to God daily through the privilege of prayer.