Only Christian prayer “works”. That’s a shockingly countercultural belief today, when so many believe that all faiths contribute something—some insight, emphasis, ritual or technique—to the truth about human communication with God. Some would call it arrogant. Are we really right to say only Christian prayer “works”?
The roadblock in the way of other prayer
The Bible’s view of the relationship between God and people is very different from what promoters of the multi-faith worldview would have us believe. Listen to God speaking to his own people through the prophet Isaiah:
“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59 v 1-2).
That’s alarming—it’s possible to think we’re talking to God when actually we’re getting nowhere. That’s not because God’s deaf or our requests are beyond him. It’s because he has chosen not to listen to sinful rebels. Speaking at God is not the same as communicating with him. The roadblock of those “iniquities” first has to be removed.
Speaking at God is not the same as communicating with him.
Jesus can deal with the roadblock
“The only reason we can approach the living God is because of the power of Jesus’ blood to free us from our sins … No other religion gives certainty that sinful people will be welcomed by the perfectly just and holy God.”
(Real Prayer: Connecting with our heavenly Father)
Mercifully, Jesus has opened a new way for us to come into the presence of God (Hebrews 10). This was graphically foreshadowed in Israel’s famous Jerusalem Temple, as one high priest went once a year “through the curtain” into “the Most Holy Place” at the centre of the temple—walking into the most “off limits” place that has ever existed on earth.
But Jesus has gone into the real Most Holy Place, the presence of God in heaven itself. He, the perfect High Priest, offered himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that takes away sin. By removing that roadblock of sin Jesus has opened up the way for his people to enter God’s presence too.
By removing the roadblock of sin Jesus has opened up the way for his people to enter God’s presence.
Followers of Jesus have miraculous access! We can “draw near to God with a sincere heart” (v 22)—there’s no need to hide the messy parts of ourselves from God. And we can come with “full assurance”—knowing that God will hear us and actively respond.
Three important implications
If we accept that sin is a roadblock that only Christ can overcome, that has three important implications for how we pray, and what we tell others about prayer.
1. Christian prayer is distinctive.
Praying “in Jesus’ name” is a shorthand verbal acknowledgement of the truth that we can (only) be assured of God’s acceptance and hearing because of Jesus dying on our behalf to pay the penalty we deserve. When we pray with and for others, there should be no doubt that we pray because of and through Jesus Christ.
2. Non-Christians can’t expect their prayers to be heard.
God may graciously answer the prayers of non-Christians—many people who have become a Christian can recount an experience of God answering a prayer that led them towards the truth about his Son. But non-Christians have no reasons to be confident that God will hear their prayers. And we mustn’t give any unfounded confidence. Rather, we need to encourage them to pray “in Jesus’ name”, explaining what that means, and urging them to ask God to help them understand fully who Jesus is.
3. Offering to pray for/with people is both an opportunity and a danger.
If we offer to pray for/with people, it’s important to avoid suggesting:
Only Christian prayer can connect people with God. It’s the only kind that “works”—because only the sacrificial, atoning death of Jesus Christ provides a reason why God is willing to hear sinful people.
Talking that connects with the true, living God—and not one who’s just a figment of our wishful imaginations—that’s the unique Christian privilege of real prayer.
Discover more in our new Good Book Guide for small group Bible study: Real Prayer: How to connect with our heavenly Father. And join the conversation and comment below. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
Anne is an Editor at the Good Book Company and active in teaching the Bible to internationals, women and children. She is married to Pete, with two adult children.
