Praying with utter dependence on Christ

Many things have been said about the importance of prayer and rightfully so. In order to review the importance of prayer, I thought it would be helpful to first start at a truth that lays the foundation for prayer. Namely, that we have nothing that we have not received from the Lord.

For an example of this truth, let's go to 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and 4. The situation is this. The Corinthians have apparently been experiencing the blessings of the Lord. At least in some part, the Corinthians have been puffed up by these blessings and it has caused divisions within the body. The body has been split as the individual members find pride in what their supposed group leader has done in the faith. It has gotten to the point where men are boasting over who they follow, whether it be Paul or Apollos.

Obviously, Paul is beside himself over this as both himself and Apollos know that they are nothing apart from Christ. Paul lays out a beautiful truth that as Christians we must constantly be reminded of:

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you
have that you did not receive? (1 Cor 4:7)

These are not trick questions. Paul is just driving it back to the basics. The answer to the first question is Jesus. The answer to the second question is a resounding NOTHING. We have received nothing apart from the Lord. Paul is using this truth to battle pride in believers, but if we use this same truth to view the importance of prayer, it is equally powerful.

I think it best to pause here, and think about every detail of your life. Think deep. What do you have that you have not received? Whether it be material things, such as a house or car, or immaterial things, such as eyes to behold beauty, you have received it all. There is a giver for all things. The giver is God.

How does this truth affect prayer?

As we know from the Scriptures God does give good gifts because he simply is a good God. Sometimes these gifts are seemingly independent of prayer from his people (Matthew 5:45). At the same time, there is verse after verse that reinforces the fact that God, the giver of all things, hears prayer and gives in response to prayer:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

I don't know about you but I find this truth incredibly motivating
to pray. First, the awesome truth that nothing we have comes from any
other source than God Himself. Second, that this all powerful God
beckons us to make requests of Him so that He can answer our
prayers. So, I ask you to join us in praying in utter dependence of Christ
as we seek His will for His church.