One of the first principles taught in Scripture is that when you turn away from the Lord, prayer ceases and the presence of the Holy Spirit departs.
Adam and Eve once "...heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day..." (Genesis 3:8) Yet they listened to satan and "...hid themselves from the presence of the Lord..." (v.8)
What is the smelly result of a prayerless life?
It is more than separation from God -- it results in punishment.
The words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah should give you cause for concern. "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name" (Jeremiah 10:25) It's a sobering thought to know that God will judge the prayerless with the heathen.
Here are six things that will happen to people who do not pray:
1. The good in their lives is replaced with evil.
There are consequences for those who say, "Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?" (Job 21:14-15) The Word says, "Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me." (Job 21:16) But when the Lord is sought by an individual, good will always be the result, and blessings will always follow their footsteps in life.
2. God is no longer their counselor.
When prayer is lacking in the life of a person, it is impossible for that individual to receive guidance from the Lord. In fact that individual often is led into harmful situations and ends up in the world of the ungodly, for only the ungodly refuse the counsel of the Lord. That's why Job 21:16 says, "...the counsel of the wicked is far from me." But if we seek the Lord, we will find His counsel stands sure forever. Psalms 33:11 clearly tells us, "The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever..."
3. Whatever they touch is destroyed.
When prayer is missing, not only do goodness and counsel depart, but sorrow is added. Job 21:17 states, "How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger." Prayerless individuals are destroying everything in their path -- their marriages, their families, and their careers. But when they pray, the results will always be heaven's best.
4. Their life is no longer stable.
Prayer is the anchor that will keep a life grounded. Those without it "...are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away." (Job 21:18) How can an individual expect to build a sturdy, unshakable family without a strong foundation? It's impossible. There is only one way to lay the cornerstone and that is on your knees!
5. Iniquity is brought upon their children.
We read in Job 21:19 that "God layeth up his iniquity for his children." Do you remember what God told the children of Israel? He promised that if they followed His command, the Lord's blessing would be handed down for generations. Yet disobedience would result in the sins of the fathers being visited "Upon the children and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." (Exodus 34:7) When someone stops praying, they run the risk of harming the future of their sons and daughters. If you love your children, stay before the Lord!
6. Their future is harmed.
What does tomorrow hold for the person who does not pray? "His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?" (Job 21:20-21) After a life without God, there is nothing that remains. But what a marvelous life awaits the prayerful believer -- both here and eternally!
Reasons to pray
Why pray? Here are three important reasons:
1. God commands us to pray.
The Lord told Israel there was much He desired for them, yet they needed to ask. For example, the Lord said, "...I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock." (Ezekiel 36:37) Think of it! There would be no increase unless it was requested. God commands us to pray in order to fulfill His will in our lives and pour on us His multiplied blessings.
2. Our prayer moves heaven and earth.
Do you realize that what happens on earth through prayer affects what takes place in heaven? Jesus declared, "...Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)
3. Prayer will turn back our enemies.
Alone, we are not strong enough to stop the onslaught of satan, yet through prayer, God can move mountains. You can stand on the Word that declares: "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back; this I know; for God is for me." (Psalms 56:9) The Lord is ready to pour out a blessing greater than you ever imagined. But first, you need to seek His face in prayer.
The words of Jesus still ring true: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." (John 14:14) Let me encourage you to open your Bible and review what you have learned in context. It is God's desire that His children become men and women of prayer. Next month I will teach on the blessings and the revelation of prayer.
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