Discipline of Prayer
In Chapter 8 of Disciplines of a Godly Man, R. Kent Hughes delves into the discipline of prayer, particularly emphasizing its necessity in the life of every believer. Hughes presents prayer as not a casual activity but an essential spiritual practice that requires dedication and effort. The chapter focuses on petitionary prayer—making requests to God—and outlines five key elements that make prayer effective: spirited prayer, continuous prayer, varied prayer, persistent prayer, and intercessory prayer for all saints. These aspects of prayer serve as the foundation for a disciplined and fruitful prayer life.
Prayer: More Than Just Words
Hughes stresses that prayer isn't just about words; it's a connection between us and God. Prayer is how we engage with Him, seeking His guidance and wisdom. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to treat prayer as something to check off a to-do list, but Hughes encourages us to go deeper. He argues that we should approach prayer as a heartfelt conversation with God, where our requests reflect our dependency on His will and direction. Through this genuine interaction, believers can experience divine intervention and transformation in different aspects of life.
One of this chapter's most profound elements is the concept of spirited prayer. Hughes explains that spirit-directed prayer involves the Holy Spirit interceding on our behalf, guiding our requests according to God's will. This is powerful because it takes the pressure off us to "pray perfectly" and instead allows us to rest because the Spirit knows our needs even better. The Holy Spirit prays for us with groans that words cannot express, ensuring our prayers align with God's purposes.
Continuous Prayer: A Posture of the Heart
Hughes also emphasizes the importance of 'continuous prayer '. This doesn't mean we're supposed to be on our knees 24/7, but rather that our hearts should always be in a posture of prayer. It's about maintaining a connection with God throughout our day-to-day activities. Whether at work, running errands, or spending time with family, we can lift our thoughts and hearts to God, always ready to pray when needed.
Continuous prayer may initially feel daunting, but Hughes offers historical examples to encourage us. Brother Lawrence, a monk who worked in the kitchen, often spoke about practicing the presence of God even in the most mundane of tasks. His example reminds us that prayer isn't confined to church or designated "quiet time." John Wesley, another historical figure, also exemplified this lifestyle, describing his heart as being constantly lifted to God. Hughes uses these examples to show us that continual prayer is less about our words and more about the state of our hearts.
In this sense, prayer becomes a way of life, not just an activity. Hughes reminds us of Paul's command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray continually," urging us to keep that line of communication with God open at all times.
The Variety and Persistence of Prayer
Hughes explains that prayer should be as varied as the situations we encounter. Petitionary prayer, which asks God for help, is only one type. There's also intercessory prayer, where we pray on behalf of others; thanksgiving prayer, where we express gratitude for what God has done; and many more. By incorporating different forms of prayer into our routine, we can engage more fully with God and cover a broader range of needs, both our own and others. Persistence in prayer is also key to experiencing breakthroughs. It's not about the number of words we pray but our commitment to seeking God's will that counts. It's about returning to God repeatedly, not because we doubt His power, but because we trust His timing and wisdom.
Hughes underscores that persistent prayer is key to experiencing breakthroughs. He draws from biblical examples, such as the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, to illustrate the importance of not giving up when our prayers aren't immediately answered. Moses interceding for Israel and Jesus praying in Gethsemane also serve as examples of persistence in prayer. These stories show us that it's not the number of words we pray but our commitment to seeking God's will that counts. Persistent prayer is about returning to God repeatedly, not because we doubt His power, but because we trust His timing and wisdom. It's an expression of faith that God hears and responds, even when His answer may not come immediately, instilling a sense of determination and steadfastness in our spiritual journey.
Hughes also makes a vital point about intercessory prayer. Praying for others isn't just a nice thing to do; it's a way of building up the body of Christ. Paul frequently asked others to pray for him, recognizing that even leaders need the support of fellow believers. When we intercede for others, we create a bond of spiritual support and encouragement, helping each other to stand strong in faith and fostering a sense of connection and belonging in our spiritual family.
The Power of a Prayer List
One practical takeaway from this chapter is the value of a prayer list. Hughes encourages us to use a prayer list to stay focused and organized in our prayers. A prayer list can include family, health concerns, ministry needs, etc. Keeping a list ensures that every request is noticed. More than that, it helps us track how God works in our lives and the lives of others. When we can look back and see prayers that have been answered, it bolsters our faith and encourages us to keep praying confidently.
Discipline in Prayer
One of the most challenging aspects of prayer is the discipline it requires. Hughes doesn't sugarcoat this. He acknowledges that prayer, like any other spiritual discipline, takes commitment and intentionality. It's not something that happens; it requires effort. Hughes compares it to a job that demands our attention and focus, not a casual hobby. We must find a time and place to focus on God without distractions and prioritize prayer in our daily routine.
He also warns against overcommitting, which can lead to burnout. Setting realistic prayer goals and gradually increasing our prayer time as we grow in our relationship with God is important. Establishing and sticking to a routine is essential for spiritual growth, even when not feeling like it.
One of the most encouraging aspects of Hughes' teaching on prayer is the idea that persistence in prayer transforms us over time. As we pray consistently, we see our desires align with God's will. The struggle between our will and emotions eventually subsides as we experience the joy of a deeper connection with God. In the end, prayer is not just about changing our circumstances but changing us, offering us hope and inspiration for our spiritual journey.
Chapter 8 of Disciplines of a Godly Man is a call to take prayer seriously and see it as a powerful tool. Hughes challenges us to pray with intention, to incorporate different types of prayer into our daily lives, and to persist even when the answers don't come immediately. Prayer is not something to be taken lightly; it's a vital discipline that connects us to God, aligns our hearts with His will, and brings transformation. By embracing the discipline of prayer, we open ourselves up to experiencing the presence of God in profound and life-changing ways.
Question #1 How can we practically integrate continuous prayer into our busy, everyday lives?
We must cultivate discipline in our lives—one that we refine daily. We shouldn't let our emotions dictate our actions because how we feel throughout the day can significantly influence our ability to follow through on our responsibilities.
Without discipline, we're like a sailboat tossed about by the whims of the wind. By embracing the practice of prayer regardless of our circumstances, we create a habit of continuous connection, no matter how busy our lives get.
However, let's not fall into the trap of thinking we can solely depend on "self-discipline," as it can easily diminish over time. Instead, we should consistently seek strength and endurance from the Holy Spirit to keep us anchored!
Romans 5: 3-5 says:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Question #2: What challenges do we face in persistent prayer, and how can we overcome them?
In today's world, it's easy to find excuses for why we can't accomplish certain tasks. With information at our fingertips, accessible in our pockets like modern-day magic, we have resources that past generations could only dream of.
However, despite having more information than ever, many studies—and personal experiences—suggest that we're less connected than before, both to the truth and to one another.
Research supports this claim. A 2021 study by Lifeway Research revealed a concerning trend: "Unfortunately, even among churchgoers, regular Bible reading isn't as common as it should be. Close to a third (32%) of U.S. Protestant churchgoers report reading the Bible daily, according to a 2019 Lifeway Research study. When adding the 27% who read it a few times a week, it becomes clear that fewer than 3 in 5 churchgoers engage with the Bible more than once a week. Alarmingly, 12% say they seldom or never read it."
This brings me back to my response to question 1: we need discipline, but it has to be anchored in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Without this foundation, we risk exhausting ourselves or going through the motions, ultimately falling into a cycle of self-glorification.
Question #3 How does praying in the Spirit deepen our prayer life, and what does that look like in practice?
To understand the importance of prayer, we need to examine Jesus and His approach to this essential practice. How did He engage in prayer, and what did His moments of communion with the Father look like?
Throughout the Scriptures, numerous examples show that Jesus frequently sought solitude for prayer. He often withdrew to quiet places, away from the noise of the crowds, to connect deeply with God. For instance, Luke 5:16 says, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Likewise, in Mark 6:46, after feeding the five thousand, He went up a mountain to pray alone. We also see in Luke 6:12 that He prayed the entire night before selecting His apostles. In Matthew 14:13, He retreats to a deserted area to take some time for reflection and prayer.
Regardless of how one views Jesus—as King, Savior, or Teacher—the lesson remains clear: if prayer was vital to Him, it should be just as significant in our lives. Jesus recognized the importance of prayer and actively participated in it, showing us that genuine communication with the Father is crucial for our spiritual health. Therefore, we, too, must prioritize our prayer lives, following His example.
*The following content has been prepared using advanced artificial intelligence tools, such as (but not limited to) FirefliesAI, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Grammarly. These resources have facilitated the drafting, grammatical refinement, and fact-checking processes. While AI generated and organized the content, Kevin Apolinar meticulously reviewed and edited all concepts, interpretations, and final decisions to ensure accuracy, relevance, and compliance with professional standards.
References:
Earls, A. (2021). More Americans Are Reading The Bible Now What? Lifeway Research. https://research.lifeway.com/2021/05/28/more-americans-are-reading-the-bible-now-what/
Hughes, R. Chapter 8, Disciplines of a Godly Man, https://books.apple.com/us/book/disciplines-of-a-godly-man/id1074004351
Macarthur, J.(2015). How Should We Pray?. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnz5kcGdzdc
Piper, J. (2007) Prayer: A Warrior's Weapon. Ligonier. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/prayer-piper
Piper, J. (2002). Be Devoted to Prayer. Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/be-devoted-to-prayer
