Prayer, we say, is our number one task!   As churches we desire to be a church reforming to reach the lost for Christ, and we know this missional outcome must be begun and undergirded by prayerful dependence upon God.   For this reason we make it our priority "to call upon God for such an outpouring of his Spirit that his people will be assured of his love through his Word, seek to please the Saviour in all things, manifest the godly life and be filled with prayerful and sacrificial compassion for the lost in all the world."    The importance of prayer cannot be overstated.   Of equal importance is obedience.   In fact, the importance of obedience is at the heart of our understanding of prayer.   As we call upon God our goal is "to please the Saviour in all things" and "manifest the godly life". 

Alvin VanderGriend writes, "Obedience is fundamental to effective prayer.   Only people who obey God have the right to go into his presence with requests .... To put it in other words, if we expect God to do for us what we ask, we should be prepared to do for God what he asks.   If we listen to his words of command, God will listen to our words of request." (Love to Pray, p. 28)

This relationship between prayer and obedience is clearly taught in God's Word.   The apostle John writes, "We have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him." (1 John 3:21-22)   John makes a bold claim.   He is confident before God to receive from him anything we ask.   This is huge.  I don't know if I can make that claim.  I don't know if I have that kind of confidence that God will give me anything we ask.  But then I ask myself, do I obey his commands and do what pleases God?

But this all makes sense, doesn't it?   I got to thinking.   I daily ask God to bless our marriage, my relationship with my wife Jeannie.   But why would God bless our marriage if I as a husband was unwilling to love my wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her? (see Ephesians 5:25)   So too when it comes to our missional vision as churches and Christ followers.   Why would God add to our churches those who are being saved if we are disobedient to Christ's command to reach out with the gospel, to be salt and light in our world, to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey all that Christ has commanded us?   (see Mark 13:10; Matthew 5:13-16; 28:19-20)   Yes we must pray for the harvest of the lost, that God will send out workers into his harvest field.  (see Matthew 9:37-38)   But if we expect God to save the lost and raise up gospel workers then we must be prepared to seek and save the lost, disciple the found, and reach out to our communities for Christ.    Prayer and obedience must go hand in hand.

Obedience is not difficult.   The obedience God expects of us is not beyond our reach.   Oh it is if we try to obey God on our strength.   But the same God who hears and answers our prayers is the One who enables us by his grace and Holy Spirit to live godly lives, lives that please our Saviour in all things.  By his death our Lord Jesus has set us free from sin "so that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us." (Romans 8:4)  United in Christ as believers we now walk in obedience.   As John writes elsewhere, "No one who lives in [God] keeps on sinning." (1 John 3:6)

Do you want to have confidence in prayer, that you will receive from God what you ask for?   Then live a life of obedience.  Do you want to see the lost found, and those outside of church to come inside?   Then begin by being salt and light in this world.   "Live such good lives among the pagans that ... they may see your good deeds."  (1 Peter 2:12)   Testify to those around you what Jesus means to you.   Share the good news of God with others.    And then pray expectantly for the salvation of the lost!   Expect God to do what you have asked for!