The Christian who is absent in prayer, neglects prayer, and refuses to be encouraged and built up in prayer, is a Christian who denies the work of Christ at the right hand of God the Father: “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34 ESV).

There are a great number of ways to offend someone. In my years as a missionary and in my years as an awkward person I’ve discovered a great many ways to offend people. I can be complimentary, I can offer assistance, I can answer questions, I can respond to invitations, and in all these things I can and often have been offensive to someone.

Of course there are times in our lives where we aim to “push someone’s buttons”, but for the most part what I’ve witnessed and seen in my own own life is an attempt NOT to offend someone. Most of us are not moving through life seeking out quarrels and offenses. Today I will share a few words on the most offensive thing to confront in the life of Christians in the United States.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:1-8 NIV). 

The most offensive thing to unbelievers is of course the confrontation of sin. The most offensive thing to contemporary believers is of course confrontation regarding prayer. You can preach Christ crucified for sin to an unbeliever and garner something of a similar reaction to when you speak with a professing Christian regarding prayer. For some unbelievers they will respond with anger, defensiveness, or apathy when confronted about eternal life and the wages of sin. For some believers they will respond with anger, defensiveness, or apathy when confronted about prayer life and their relationship with God.

Many hours are spent with men, how many with your Maker?—Charles Spurgeon

The angry Christian gets upset when confronted about prayer. The excuses begin to flow and all sorts of manner of ill will can be emptied out of a person when confronted about prayer. In American Christianity with our fierce independence often the response will come in a manner similar to this “You pray and do your relationship with God the way you want to, and I’ll pray and do my relationship with God the way I want to”.

The great flaw in this line of thinking and living is that of course none of us ought to pursue God “the way we want to”. We ought to pursue God by his Holy Spirit in the ways in which he desires. Imagine a young person comes to you seeking relationship advice. This young person has burned down every romantic bridge they have yet pursued. They come to you for advice. “I really like this person” they say. “I want to make sure I don’t mess this relationship up” they say. So, being the kind friend you are, you ask them “What sorts of things does your love interest like? What sorts of ways do they desire affection to be shown? What is their favorite food, music, hobbies, interests, and activities? What clues or instructions has you love interest given you that you can seek to gain their favor and returned affection?” Hearing this your friend becomes indignant with you, “How dare you meddle with my affairs! I’ll sort this relationship out the way I know how!”. The absurdity of this scenario is only slightly LESS absurd than Christians who are angry and want to be left alone, without aid, without advice, without empowering, without strengthening, without encouraging in their prayer life.

The defensive Christian immediately resorts to “whataboutism”. “Ask me about my prayer life, well what about my tithing? My offerings to the church? My helping with the nursery? My greeting others every Sunday? My cleaning up of the building after every event? What about my evangelistic efforts for the lost? What about my diligent and careful study of God’s word? What about my faithful attendance at bible study? What about the meetings I attend to serve the church?” The defensive Christian reveals in this list a life which is categorically inappropriate in priorities. All of those things which a Christian does that are not undergirded (a fancy way of saying supported by) prayer are vain things!

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Psalm 127:1-2 ESV).

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