PRAYERLESS PRAYERS by Christian at Work

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

PRAYERLESS PRAYERS.

By Christian at Work

Though this may be a contradiction in terms, it is not so in fact. There are millions of what may properly be characterized as "prayerless prayers." Such are all those prayers that are mere form. All genuine prayers proceed from the heart. There is a real desire to obtain what is asked for. There is a felt need of the blessing sought. There is something of the earnestness of Jacob, when he said: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Often is God mocked in prayer by "a solemn sound from a thoughtless tongue." There are the words of prayer, but the thoughts are wandering, like the fool's eyes, to the ends of the earth. There is no sense of God, to whom the prayer is professedly addressed. The prayer repeated by a parrot would be just as pleasing to God, and even more so; for, in such a case, there would be no mockery.

And those prayers are prayerless in which nothing is asked for. Such was the prayer of the Pharisee in the temple. His whole prayer was taken up in thanking God that he was not as other men were, and in boasting of his good deeds. There was not a single petition in the prayer. He had no felt need, and he desired no supply. God was displeased with him, whilst he looked with favor upon the humble publican, whose prayer, though more brief, was hearty and sincere.

It is not surprising that so many prayers are unanswered. It is not at all surprising that they do not come up for a memorial before God. It is not the expectation of those that offer them that they will. When they offer them, it is with no expectation that they shall receive an answer, and they look for none, nor are they disappointed that it does not come. They would be surprised were they to receive an answer. They did not mean what they said. They had no real desire for what they asked. They had no thought of what they were saying when they prayed. Their words were but a "chattering noise." Their prayers were prayerless prayers.