Last week, we began this final series of 2025 by asking and answering the question, “How can I be imperfect, yet holy?” We did so by looking at one aspect of living holy lives which is spending adequate and meaningful time in God’s Word.
This week, we want to examine the second step in living a holy life, which is spending adequate and meaningful time in prayer.
Encouragement to Pray
Prayer to God is a privilege for His children.
God’s people are encouraged to approach the throne of grace boldly in time of need (Heb. 4:15-16), to cast our care upon God for He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7), and we have the assurance that as we ask things in harmony with His will that He hears us (1 Pet. 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15).
We are instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), to continue earnestly in prayer (Col. 4:2), and assured that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (Jas. 5:16).
With all of this being said, what is it about prayer that can help us live holy lives before God?
Prayer helps us draw closer to God.
First, prayer helps us draw closer to God. James says,
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (Jas. 4:6-10).
God communicates to us through His Word and we communicate to Him through the avenue of prayer. We learn from this passage that staying in close and constant communication with our Father helps us to be more submissive to Him, resist the devil, draw near to God, and purify our hearts.
These are great blessings that are associated with our prayer lives, for drawing nearer to God will help us live holy lives.
Prayer helps us in times of temptation.
Second, prayer helps us gain confidence in times of temptation.
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He said to the disciples that were with Him, “Sit here while I go and pray” (Matt. 26:36). Of course, Jesus prayed that if there was another way for His Father to “let this cup pass,” to provide it, but He yielded and submitted to His Father’s will saying, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).
After this first prayer, He went back to find His disciples sleeping. He addressed Peter and said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41).
We learn an important principle from our Lord here: The flesh is weak. We struggle. Jesus Himself struggled while in the flesh, yet never sinned (1 Pet. 2:22), and knew the value and importance of prayer. Prayer was His loving connection to His Father that helped Him clear His mind, stay the course, and find solace even in the darkest of times.
When we are tempted to sin, we need to heed the words of Jesus: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Prayer can help us overcome temptation and thus live holy, pure lives before God.
Prayer helps us with our thoughts.
Third and finally, prayer helps us to maintain peace and purity in our thoughts.
When we pray, we invite God into our thoughts, decisions, and desires. Prayer reminds us that we belong to Him, not to the world. The apostle Paul addressed this in his letter to the Philippians:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:4-8).
Notice what happens when we spend time in prayer: The peace of God guards our hearts and minds. This will certainly help us to dwell on things that are “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.”
We are to “meditate” on these things, which helps us to have clarity in our minds and souls. Prayer changes what we value as it molds our desires to reflect God’s holiness.
Dear friends, we have noticed that prayer can help us live holy lives because it helps us draw closer to God, gain confidence in times of temptation, and maintain peace and purity in our thoughts.
Prayer is the heartbeat of holiness. It keeps us connected to the God who makes us holy, cleanses our hearts when we fail, and strengthens us to live for Him daily.
Next week, we will close out this series and our articles for 2025 by examining how we can live holy lives by being separate from the world.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
