Heed The Watchmen

Conditions of Prevailing Prayer

            As I have mentioned numerous times of late, the Lord has led me into a deep study of the life of George Müller of Bristol (England—1805-1898). With him I have found great unity from the Holy Ghost; though at times being strongly convicted, by that same Spirit, of things which have been unclean before God in our lives.

            The great unity comes from our mutual assent that God’s Word must be the true Christian’s final authority in all matters of faith and practice. While I have already presented my own article about prayer (Spiritual Warfare), I believe it worthwhile to share also what the Holy Spirit taught George Müller on the subject. In truth, I am humbled by the simplicity and forthright nature of this revelation to Mr. Müller. But please remember, the Lord did not “drop this in his lap;” instead, it came from years of experience, and by practically applying God’s Holy Word.

            George Müller calls these;

            The Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer

1) Entire dependence on the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, the only ground on which to claim blessing.

2) Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us—it would be approving sin.

3) Faith in God’s Word as His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him a liar and perjurer.

4) Asking God’s will; our motives must be godly. We must not seek a gift from God to consume it upon our lusts.

5) Persistence in asking. There must be waiting on God and for Him, as the husbandman has patience to wait for the harvest.

            Now we will look at those five conditions in a bit more depth, with support from God’s Word (KJV).

1) As believers, we realize that our sins’ atonement was bought through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6). No other “god” can save; neither can we save ourselves. We must be humble enough to realize this! Our own works of merit do not impress God that He should hear us, nor will a favorable standing with our fellow men.

            Yet I believe that still more of us wonder why God should even listen to us—let alone answer our prayers. The answer to that is through God’s love. God loves His creation and wants fellowship with us as would a father with his children. When we receive God’s own son, Jesus Christ, we then stand on the merits of Christ. We then can come boldly before the throne of grace, expecting our prayers to be heard (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus has unlimited credit with God; and we stand on the rock of that credit.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:31-34

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; I Timothy 2:5

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. John 14:13,14

2) Many times, sin comes between us and the Lord. Even when we mean well in our hearts, at times the corruption goes so deep that we are not aware of it. We must seek the Lord diligently to examine our hearts, to expose these shortcomings to us. Some think it unfair—but God wants us to be holy, and He will not bless us in contradiction to His Word.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139 23,24

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psalms 66:18

Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. Leviticus 26:24

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1,2

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

3) Every word of God is pure and true (Psalms 12:6-7). Do you believe it? Did you ever think that if you disbelieve the Word of God, you are calling God a liar? You may not understand why a certain prayer seems not to have been answered (the way you want it), but God is true to His Word! Seek the Lord—study His Word. Believer Him, and pray, pray, pray. Even as we do not give our children all that they ask for, so it is with our Heavenly Father. Ask the Lord to help you to pray as you should, according to the entire Word of God.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Number 23:19

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. II Corinthians 1:20

If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. II Timothy 2:13

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. I John 2:27

4) The motives which drive our prayers are vital. The closer that we walk with Christ, the more our concerns and desires will directly reflect His. Yet we need to humbly seek the Lord as to our motives (which are often quite hidden), and be pleased to pray according to God’s will (Luke 22:42, Matthew 6:10). Don’t be afraid to first go to God in prayer, asking if it is well to pray for a certain thing. Be patient to wait for His answer, and search the Bible for support; sometimes our own feelings are so strong, it is difficult to see past them.

If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles…For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God…Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Job 22:23…26…28

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalms 37:4

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalms 91:14,15

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James 4:3

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. I John 5:14,15

5) In general, we want what we pray for right away. This is not always what is best in God’s eyes, or even necessary. When something is truly needful immediately, cry out to God in faith, and He will grant it.

            Yet if it does not come right away, we must continue praying in faith for the answer. Do examine yourself before the Lord regarding the previous four conditions; but when finished with that, continue on. When pressed to reveal Himself, Jesus replied “My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready.”—see John 7:6. God will answer your prayers according to His own perfect timing. Only too many today get lazy; they offer up a few prayers on a matter, and when beholding no quick results, rationalize that it isn’t “God’s will.” God wants our joy to be full by answering our prayers (John 16:24)! What God isn’t, however, is a genie!

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Luke 11:5-10

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Psalms 145:14,15

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:35,36

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh…Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James 5:7,8…11

            A final, parting thought for all of you; praying does not come easily or naturally to anyone, because of our sinful natures. It actually takes work and effort! And we must earnestly pray, to learn to pray! Don’t give up—God knows our frailty, and has long patience with us. Just don’t throw away your efforts due to stumbling. Remember that no chastening for the moment seems joyous (Hebrews 12:11), but grievous. The Lord will quicken you for the road ahead!