For many, many years I thought myself to be a Christian. I thought I possessed all the marks of authentic Christianity. I thought I had a heart fully disposed to affections of godliness and desire for God.

However, is it not true that in the menial things we are most occupied with reveals the true secrets of our hearts? So then I brought the question forth before my own soul,

Soul, why do you not pray? You say you are a Christian, and are proud of it and not ashamed. But, why is it you do not pray? You say you love Christ, and profess Him to be Lord, by why do you not speak to Him?

Why is it after all your clothed words of fanciful praises of ascribing love to God there is little evidence of true love for Him? It is easy for you to spare a word, a tithe an action to satisfy a little mark of godly life, but why is there no weeping, no sighing, no yearning, no aching for communion with God?

You say that Christ has saved you, bled and died for you, yet you do not pray?

Ah, and so it was, I realized that it is not because I lacked in faith and love for Him. But the root was not there, so not fruit can be brought forth. All along I deceived myself of having saving faith, where indeed I had none.

Do you find this the same for you, dear reader at this moment? God’s Wrath is Coming. Are you Ready?

Take importance upon it, a soul that does not pray is not saved at all, and is ever under the fierceness of the wrath of the Lamb. I urge you, do not treat it lightly! Look to Christ Jesus the Lord by faith and faith alone. He is a perfect Savior. He can save one such as you are, no matter how wicked you might be. Though your sins are as red as scarlet, He can make you whiter than snow. Repent and believe the gospel!

“…Men ought always to Pray.”—Jesus, Luke 18:1
“I will that men pray everywhere.”—Paul, 1 Timothy 2:8

I have a question to offer you. It is contained in three words,

DO YOU PRAY?

The question is one that none but you can answer. Whether you attend public worship or not, your minister knows. Whether you have family prayers or not your relations know. But whether you pray in private or not, is a matter between yourself and God.

I beseech you in all affections to attend to the subject I bring before you. Do not say that my question is too close. If your heart is right in the sight of God, there is nothing in it to make you afraid.

Do not turn off my question by replying that you say your prayers. It is one thing to say your prayers and another to pray. Do not tell me that my question is unnecessary. Listen to me for a few minutes, and I will show you good reason for asking it.

I. I ask whether you pray, because prayer is absolutely needful to a person’s salvation.

II. I ask again whether you pray, because a habit of prayer is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.

III. I ask whether you pray, because there is no duty in religion so neglected as private prayer.

IV. I Ask whether you pray, because prayer is an act of religion to which there is great encouragement.

V. I ask whether you pray, because diligence in prayer is the secret of eminent holiness.

VI. I ask whether you pray, because neglect of prayer is one of the greatest causes of backsliding.

VII. I ask, lastly, whether you pray because prayer is one of the best means of happiness and contentment.

And now it is high time for me to bring this tract to an end. I trust I have brought before you things that will be seriously considered. I heartily pray God that this consideration may be blessed to your soul.

1. Let me speak a parting word to
THOSE WHO DO NOT PRAY.

I dare not suppose that all those who read these pages are praying people. If you are a prayerless person, suffer me to speak to you this day on God’s behalf.

Prayerless reader, I can only warn you but I do warn you most solemnly. I warn you that you are in a position of fearful danger. If you die in your present state, you are a lost soul. You will only rise again to be eternally miserable. I warn you that all professing Christians you are utterly without excuse. There is not a single good reason that you can show for living without prayer.

It is useless to say you know not how to pray.

Prayer is the simplest act in all religion. It is simply speaking to God. It needs neither learning nor wisdom nor book-knowledge to begin it. It needs nothing but heart and will. The weakest infant can cry when it is hungry. The poorest beggar can hold out their hand for alms, and does not wait to find fine words. The most ignorant person will find something to say to God, if they have only a mind.

It is useless to say you have
no convenient place to pray in.

Any person can find a place private enough, if they are disposed. Our Lord prayed on a mountain; Peter on the house-top; Isaac in the field; Nathaniel under the fig-tree; Jonah in the whale’s belly. Any place may become a closet, an oratory, and a Bethel, and be to us the presence of God.

It is useless to say you have no time.

There is plenty of time, if people will employ it. Time may be short, but time is always long enough for prayer. Daniel had the affairs of a kingdom on his hands, and yet he prayed three times a day. David was the ruler over a mighty nation, and yet he says, “Evening and morning and at noon will I pray.” Psalm 55:17. When time is really wanted, time can always be found.

It is useless to say you cannot pray
till you have faith and a new heart,
and that you must sit still and wait for them.

This is to add sin to sin. It is bad enough to be unconverted and going to hell. It is even worse to say, “I know it, but will not cry for mercy.” This is a kind of argument for which there is no warrant in Scripture. “Call ye upon the Lord,” saith Isaiah, “while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6. “Take with you words, and turn unto the Lord,” says Hosea. Hosea 14:1. “Repent and pray,” says Peter to Simon Magus. Acts 8:22. If you want faith and a new heart, go and cry to the Lord for them. The very attempt to pray has often been the quickening of a dead soul.

Oh, prayerless reader, who and what are you that you will not ask anything of God?

Have you no sense of the enormity of the wickedness of your own soul?ⁱ

Have you made a covenant with the dead and hell?

Are you at peace with the worm and fire?

Have you no sins to be pardoned?

Have you no fear of eternal torment?

Have you no desires after heaven?

Oh that you would awake from your present folly.

Oh that you would consider your latter end.

Oh that you would arise and call upon God.

Alas, there is a day coming when many shall pray loudly, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but all too late; when many shall cry to the rocks to fall on them and the hills to cover them, who would never cry to God.

In all affection, I warn you, beware lest this be the end of your soul.

Salvation is very near you.

Do not lose heaven for want of asking.

—J. C. Ryle, A Call To Prayer

Get the booklet by J.C. Ryle, “A Call to Prayer” here, or click here to read more.

Footnotes

1. Line added by me. [↩]