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Praying Always (Part Six)

Article by Pat Higgins

Jesus' command to pray always contains the advice Christians need to strengthen their relationships with God as the return of Christ nears.

Agur's Prayer

Sermonette by Cody Ford

Seeking God first is illustrated through the humble prayer of Agur, son of Jakeh, recorded in Proverbs 30. Before offering his petition, Agur establishes his complete dependence on God by declaring himself more ignorant than any man, denying that he has learned wisdom or possesses knowledge of the Holy One. This humility prepares the way for his request, found in Proverbs 30:7-9, which is the only prayer recorded in the book of Proverbs. In it, Agur asks for only two things: that falsehood be removed far from him, and that he be given neither poverty nor riches, but only the food allotted to him. His reasoning reveals a deep understanding of human nature—too much wealth might cause him to grow full and deny God, asking, Who is the Lord?, while too little might drive him to steal and profane God's name. Rather than praying for personal success or material gain, Agur seeks balance and truthfulness so that his relationship with God remains uncompromised. This prayer demonstrates that everything falls into place when God is put first, a principle affirmed in Matthew 6:33. Agur's request stands in contrast to the natural human tendency to pray for abundance or self-centered blessings. Instead, he recognizes that excessive riches breed pride and forgetfulness of God, while extreme poverty breeds resentment and temptation to sin. Christ's warning against covetousness in Luke 12:15 reinforces this idea, showing that life does not consist in the amount of possessions one has. God's withholding of excessive wealth from His people can itself be a blessing, since it prevents drifting away from Him and losing sight of one's calling as firstfruits. Seeking God first is further connected to the necessity of constant communication with Him. Just as a short note from a child is meaningful because it reflects a desire to communicate, brief and sincere prayers like Agur's are fully acceptable to God, who values contact and relationship over length or eloquence. Paul's instruction to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reinforces the idea that maintaining an ongoing conversation with God—thanking Him for small blessings, asking for discernment, and seeking His guidance before decisions—deepens one's bond with Him and reduces the likelihood of sin. James 5:13-18 confirms that fervent, faithful prayer, whether long or short, holds real power, as demonstrated by Elijah's prayers affecting the rain. Ultimately, Agur's example teaches that seeking God first means prioritizing truth, contentment, and relationship with Him above personal gain or material success. When believers communicate constantly and sincerely with God rather than treating Him as a source to be used only in need, their lives become both spiritually rewarding and rightly ordered, reflecting the balance and humility that Agur modeled in his brief but profound prayer.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God personally handpicks individuals with whom He desires to form a reciprocal relationship. This relationship must be dressed, kept, tended, and maintained.

Contentment

Sermon by John O. Reid

Many people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.

The Tenth Commandment

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Coveting begins as a desire. Human nature cannot be satisfied, nothing physical can satisfy covetousness, and joy does not derive from materialism.