Practical Religion: IV. Prayer (2) A habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian
Regardless of what our backgrounds are and regardless of whether we are extroverts or introverts we all are given the spirit of dependence on our Father at conversion. The following are summary thoughts from Ryle’s section on prayer in which he states that “a habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.”
From the moment there is any life and reality about their religion, they pray. Just as the first sign of life in an infant when born into the world, is the act of breathing, so the first act of men and women when they are born again, is praying.
This is one of the common marks of all the elect of God: “They cry unto Him day and night.” (Luke 18:1) It is as much a part of their new nature to pray, as it is of a child to cry. A review of those saints in scripture, whom we have recorded for our benefit, shows that a main characteristic of the godly is that “they call on the Father” that “they call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The recorded history of the wicked is that “they call not upon the Lord.” (1 Peter 1:17; 1 Cor. 1:2; Psalm 14:4)
If we were to read about the lives of Christians, who have been on earth since the Bible days, we would find that they all had one thing in common: They have all been men of prayer. Rich or poor, learned and unlearned, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptist or Independent All have this commonality about them. They all prayed! When we study the reports of Missionary Societies in our own times we see with joy heathen men and women are receiving the Gospel in various parts of the globe. There are conversions in Africa, in New Zealand, in Eastern Asia, and in America. The people converted are naturally unlike one another in every respect. But one striking thing we observe at all of the Missionary stations. The converted people always pray!
We don’t deny that a man may pray without heart, and without sincerity. We don’t for a moment pretend to say that the mere fact of a person praying proves anything about his soul. As in every part of religion, so also in this, there is plenty of deception and hypocrisy. But this we are saying – that not praying is a clear proof that a man is not yet a true Christian. He cannot really feel his sins. He cannot love God. He cannot feel himself a debtor to Christ. He cannot long after holiness. He cannot desire heaven. He may boast confidently of election, grace, faith, hope and knowledge, and deceive ignorant people. But rest assured it is all vain talk if he does not pray.
Ryle continues by stating that a real work of the Spirit, a habit of hearty private prayer is one of the most satisfactory experiences that can be named. A man may preach from false motives, and write books and make fine speeches and seem diligent in good works yet be a Judas Iscariot. But a man seldom goes into his closet, and pours out his soul before God in secret unless he is in earnest. The Lord Himself set His stamp on prayer as the best proof of a true conversion. When He sent Ananias to Saul in Damascus, He gave him no other evidence of his change of heart than this — “…for behold, he is praying.” (Acts 9:11)
Your views of doctrine may be correct. Your love for Protestantism may be warm and unmistakable. But still this may be nothing more than head knowledge and party spirit. The great point is this – whether you can speak to God as well as speak about God.
~Mark
