Few Christians would disagree that faithfulness in personal private prayer (hereafter “PPP”) is probably the most difficult area of living the Christian life. They would also undoubtedly agree that the primary battle with “PPP” is getting to our prayer closets (Matthew 6:5-6), rather than struggling in the act of prayer itself? Why is this so?

Our Lord teaches us that our remaining sin has much to do with it: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” When I say “our remaining sin” I am really describing our sin nature (Ephesians 2:1-3), which is the natural result of our having been conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) and born in sin (Psalm 58:3). Jesus taught us that our spirit is willing “to pray,” but our flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

Further, this fact reminds us that we are so often prayerless, because we have failed to come to grips with the absolute necessity of “PPP” in our lives (Psalm 5:3; 109:4; Luke 18:1). We have failed to see that as breathing is vital to the life of physical man, in like manner, prayer is the breathing of the spiritual man.

We have not taken seriously our natural inclination to neither depend on nor lean upon God in prayer, at all times, about everything (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). This state has resulted from our having neglected to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7).

We have refused to make our bodies our slaves (1Corinthians 9:27; Romans 7:24). We have not striven to put to death the deeds of our bodies (Romans 8:13). So is it any surprise that we do not receive the blessings that could be ours from our heavenly Father when we never bother to Scripturally ask Him (James 4:2)? Should it be shocking to us that more often than we would like to admit, true joy in Christ seems to be a rarity in our daily lives (Psalm 32:3-5)?

A prayerless Christianity is a Christianity without God, or at best, it is a powerless Christianity which promotes a religiosity that is not easily overcome (2 Timothy 3:5).

Our need is a wake-up call to once again enter the secret place so as to commune with the Father (Matthew 6:9-13). Are you a prayerless professing Christian? If so, then I ask you, do you desire to turn from such a sad state of soul? Have you asked God to heal your backsliding heart (Hosea 14:4; Joel 2:25)?

For such a repentant soul there’s forgiveness (Psalm 86:5; 1 John 1:9) from our good and gracious God (Nahum 1:7)! May God’s grace enable us to apply to following words of the apostle Paul to the Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7).

Jerry Marcellino is pastor of Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel. He can be reached by e-mail at pastorjerry@audubonchurch.org.