RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

There exists an undeniable relationship between the life of prayer and the victorious Christian life. If one were to take a journey throughout the history of the church, they  would discover that the great giants of the faith were men and women of prayer. If we travel all the way back to the New Testament church, we would find a small band of fishermen, tax collectors, doubters, and common ordinary Jewish followers of Christ turning the Roman empire upside down. They shook the world because they stood in reverent silence in the presence of God. They were a people of prayer. It was one of the great characteristics of the church in the book of Acts.
But it’s not just the recent historical church and the first century believers that found their victory through prayer. Even the ancient Hebrew leaders rose or fell because of their prayer or lack of prayer lives. One glaring example is that of Uzziah. He was only sixteen when he became king (2 Chronicles 26:1). How would a teenager be able to assume the responsibilities of the kingdom? He would be the ‘bottom line’ leader – answerable for the economy, for transportation, housing and the general well being of Judah. It seemed like an impossible task for such a young person.
However, Uzziah was wise. He understood one great truth that was enough to make him a successful leader. He didn’t know much as a young person, but He knew the One who was the source of all knowledge. Therefore, he cast himself on the mercy and grace of God. The Bible says, “He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success” (2 Chronicles 26:5). His victory rested in his humility. He knew that he didn’t have the ability to lead the people, but he knew that with God, nothing was impossible.
However, something happened as Uzziah experienced victory. It was a subtle but deadly danger. The Bible describes the ultimate defeat that came to Uzziah, “But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall ..” When Uzziah was young and knew nothing, he had to be completely dependent upon God. However, when he became strong, he no longer needed to pray. He thought that he knew how to run the kingdom by himself and his pride led to his defeat.
Uzziah’s experience isn’t so unusual. I’ve found that the most dangerous times in my life often follow my greatest victories. There comes a smug sense of “I’ve got it under control.” The truth is that I don’t have it under control. God has it under control and I had better continue to seek His face and leadership in everything that I do. Prayer is the outward expression of a humble heart. Prayer says, “Oh, God, I need You. Without You, I can do nothing.” However, a prayerless life says, “I can do it in my own power. I know how to do this. I’ve been successful many times before. I can do it myself.”
Often when we’re young in the Lord, we have a keen sense of our need for God. We depend upon Him, and He gives us victory. We seek God in prayer. Our hearts pant after God as the deer pants for water. We’re hungry – thirsty to know and walk in victory. But after a time of victory, we begin to think that we can live the Christian life in our own power. Once that attitude has crept into our hearts, we’re surely headed for a fall – just as sure as Uzziah fell, so will we.
That’s why prayer is so important to us. It’s not just some religious ritual that God expects us to perform. It’s a heart crying out to God, “I need you!” Prayer is setting aside time to commune with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It’s the heart longing for an intimate knowledge of our Redeemer. Prayer is getting to know God. There is no victory outside that knowledge. But I’m convinced that “as long as we seek the Lord, God will give us success.” He did it with Uzziah. He did it with the New Testament Church. He’s done it with the great men and women of faith throughout the centuries. And He’ll do it with us. He’s not changed and His ways have not changed.