Often we are driven to prayer when needs begin to emerge in our lives. Such as when sickness finds its way in, our finances begin to wither, our home is rocked with scandal, or any one of many other circumstances that affect us directly. Likewise, our deepest moments of worship to God only come when a situation in our life turns for the better. When what the doctor said was impossible happens, an unexpected check comes at the right time, major problems seem to dissolve overnight, and so on. All of these are of course reasons to pray and worship the Lord. But should that really be the only things that drive us to our knees or cause us to pour out thanks to God?
Should our relationship with God only get deeper during extreme circumstances that only affect us or those closest to us? The simple answer is no. Regardless of our circumstances, we should still find ourselves in deep moments of prayer and worship. Even when things have remained calm for some time, our prayers should be deep and meaningful.
Even when we are not standing on the mountain top we should give God all the praise that we can muster. Our service to God should not reflect how bad or good life is at any given moment. Instead, it should remain deep through any and every circumstance. This is why we are taught in scripture to pray without ceasing and to thank God in everything. In many cases had we remained in prayer in the good times, we never would have encountered the bad times.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
But that’s not all. As I have tried to illustrate above, the driving force behind our prayer and worship often is tied to things that directly affect us. For the majority of Christians, their prayers circulate solely around their own needs. As well as the needs of those who are close to them. The same can be said for worship as well. Often we praise God for what He has done for us or our family. Then look enviously at others who are being blessed by God when we aren’t. Is that really the way things should be?
Of course not. Just look at the examples we are given throughout the scripture. Let’s take at Paul a man who suffered more persecution for preaching the gospel than anyone else to ever live. Still facing all that he did, it was not his needs alone that drove Him to His knees, it was the needs of others. Even when asking for prayers from the church while in chains his request didn’t revolve solely around his own needs. Instead, he asked that the church pray for him so that he could keep on proclaiming the Gospel message to the best of his ability.
Ephesians 3:14–19 (ESV)
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 6:19–20 (ESV)
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:3–4 (ESV)
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
In every one of his letters, you see Paul praise God for the work He was doing throughout the whole church body. Paul was thankful to see that others were being blessed by the Lord. He worshiped and thanked God as if those very same blessings were being poured out on Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:6–9 (ESV)
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
Ephesians 1:15–16 (ESV)
15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,
1 Corinthians 1:4–5 (ESV)
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—
Paul was no hypocrite. He truly lived the fullness of the message that he preached. He loved the lost and the saved alike with all of his heart. His interest wasn’t in his needs only but in those of others as well. In fact, I would say that Paul put the needs of others far beyond his own needs. He lived and acted like a member of the single body of Christ that he described in scripture. When another hurt Paul hurt. When another rejoiced Paul too rejoiced. He was driven to prayer and worship based not only on his personal needs and blessings but those of the entire church.
Colossians 3:12–14 (ESV)
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Philippians 2:3–4 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 12:25–27 (ESV)
25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
We should strive to follow the example Paul has given us. In fact, multiple times in scripture God calls us to do just that. Like Paul, the driving force behind our prayers should not only be our own needs. Nor should what causes us to ring out in thanksgiving to God be our personal blessings. Instead, we should be driven to deep prayer and worship by the situations in the lives of those around us. Taking joy in their blessing and thanking God for them. As well as sharing in the pain of their struggle and praying for God to move in their life. When we fail to do these things we fail to be the body of Christ we are intended to be.
1 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 (ESV)
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Does this mean that we shouldn’t take our needs to God in prayer? Or that we shouldn’t allow the blessing we receive from God to lead us to praise? Of course, not, scripture calls us to prayer and worship regarding those very things. But they should never become the only things that drive us closer to God. Nor should they be the only reason we find ourselves praying and worshiping.
Instead, we should fulfill the whole call of God. Praying and worshiping on the behalf of all people. Truly there is no telling the impact your prayer could have on the life of another. As Scripture proclaims that the prayer of the righteous person is of great effect. When you take the time to pray for someone else you are having a great impact on their life.
James 5:16 (ESV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
What we need to do is simply balance our times of prayer and worship. Pray about your needs but be sure to take time to also bring the needs of others before the Lord. Worship God for what He has done for you because He is worthy of your praise. But also take time to also thank God for the blessing you are able to see in the lives of others as well. Share in their joy and even find joy to help you when you find yourself still waiting on God.
The Bible talks about equality in giving. Stating that we should share with those in need but not to the point that we end up in poverty. The same is true in regards to prayer and worship. It is important that we reach out to God on behalf of others. But doing so should not cause us to neglect our own needs. Doing so could adversely affect our faith. You can be sure that while Paul was praying and worshiping on the behalf of others he was still doing so for himself. To always ensure that in serving others he didn’t miss the mark for Heaven.
2 Corinthians 8:13–14 (ESV)
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
1 Corinthians 9:26–27 (ESV)
26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
So what drives you to prayer and worship? Are you someone driven by the worst times and the best times? Or have you been driven solely by your personal situation and neglected that of others? Wherever you may find yourself, start striving for balance in your service to God today. Pray hard regardless of what you currently need in life. Praise with the same strength no matter what you have at the moment. All the while taking the time and care to not only seek God for yourself but for others as well. What drives you to God should be well balanced and not leaning too far one way or the other.
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