Necessity of Prayer by Frank S. Butz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1909

Necessity of Prayer

By Frank S. Butz

FRANK S. BUTZ

THE prayer of faith is the key to unlock heaven’s storehouse. The individual who has faith in Christ and keeps the commandments of God has access to this wonderful storehouse of treasure. When this key is used according to the plan of him who gave this privilege, rich are the blessings of wisdom, grace, and strength gained; and it is only by this plan that the individual will be successful in the formation of a character that will stand in the judgment.

The one who has learned to find these treasures has found the source and fountain of all joy and peace. He has also found the great fount of wisdom, grace, and strength which will enable him to overcome the trials and buffetings that Satan brings to bear upon the life of him who accepts Christ and has hope in his salvation. The Saviour of the world said: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Look back over the pages of sacred history, and you will find that the only men who accomplished great things were men of constant prayer. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, who was translated, walked with God. This is evidence that he communed with the Author of his faith, and by continually placing himself in this attitude, was able to live a sinless life. Abraham was a friend of God, and talked with him daily. His life was governed by the direction of God’s Spirit. It was by constant prayer that Ezra and Nehemiah were able to confute the plans of their enemies in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Powerful and sublime are some of these prayers, as recorded in God’s Word. Every important move was first planned, and then presented to the Lord before it was executed.

Daniel prayed three times a day when he knew the decree was signed by the king, and that by so doing his life was in danger; but he also knew that his only strength was in God, and by obeying that decree he would be sacrificing more than life.

Our Saviour loved to commune with his father. He was always in an attitude of prayer. We find him, when others were asleep, withdrawing a little way aside to gain strength from above for new trials. It was by so doing that he gained power to overcome Satan and death, that you and I might through him be conquerors in this great conflict. He not only prayed for himself, but for his disciples; and precious is the thought that he also prayed for you and me! Listen to his words as he poured out his soul to him on whom he himself depended for strength: “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. . . . Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.”

Satan knows that if he can get the Christian’s mind so involved in the things of this world that he will neglect prayer and think it not essential, he can soon have the mind that was once pure so engrossed with evil thoughts and intents that the individual will forget God.

If ever there was a time when the Christian needed extra strength it is now, as Satan has gone forth with great power to make war on the saints of God, knowing he has but a short time in which to work. For this very reason let us, by the strong arm of prayer, wield heavy blows against the enemy of all righteousness. Let us realize that by the strong arm of prayer Enoch, Abraham, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel of old won their great victories over Satan, and that through their faith in the Son of God they will have part in the first resurrection.

Let us always remember that if prayer was necessary for these great achievements in the past, much more is it necessary to us if we are to overcome in this last great conflict which is now on and so near its close. “Pray without ceasing.”