Many years ago a famous preacher wondered aloud whether God hears the prayers of unbelievers. This created a firestorm in the media. Our egalitarian culture weighed in with the sentiment that God ought to hear the prayers of everyone. Studies reveal that almost everyone prays. Recently I read John Piper’s thoughts on how Christians pray differently from non-Christians. In fact, he asserted, Christians pray for many of the same things non-believers do, but we also pray for more.
Paul gives us a remarkable example. He tells us in his letters that he prays for the churches. In his letter to the Philippians and this letter to the Ephesians, Paul articulates his prayers for us to hear. What we see is a deep commitment not only to temporal concerns but also spiritual concerns. Paul prays for wisdom and power for the believers in Ephesus. He wants them to know God better so that they will know the riches of their inheritance in Christ. He prays that resurrection power will empower them to live the Christian life. He prays that God will fill their lives with himself.
When was the last time we asked for those things for ourselves and others? James 5 tells us it is important for us to pray for the sick. But sometimes, I sense that this is the greatest part of our prayer life. We pray for physical health, safety, and for God’s provision for our needs. All of these things are important, but they are not of highest importance. When Christians pray, we not only recognize that God is the Giver but also the Gift itself. We want more than just to be healthy, wealthy and wise. We want to be right with God, satisfied with his provision for us and growing in our knowledge of him. Remember the line from the song, “Of things we have had our fill, yet we hunger still for more of you!” Ever since I heard about your faith in Jesus and your love for his people, I never stop thanking God for you and praying that God would be your highest treasure!