Most men will admit that they should pray. Not to pray is an omission that people generally would condemn. Idolators invoke their gods. Mohammedans have fixed hours for saying their prayers. Jews say prayers. Roman Catholics repeat prayers. Protestants pray, and so on.
Surely it is the duty of every intelligent creature to acknowledge the goodness of the Creator. A prayerless soul is in a sadly infidel state! There is a difference between a prayerless man, and a man who owns God as his Creator and Benefactor, yet both may be dead in trespasses and sins. The former is infidel, acknowledging God no more than would an animal; the latter acknowledges God in His ways of creation and providence, yet, failing to own God's grace in redemption, he is still unpardoned and unsaved.
Many will speak of the kindness of God in providence who do not believe the glorious gospel of Christ for salvation and are, therefore, still in their sins—condemned already. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36).
Are you a prayerless soul? Do you eat, and drink, and enjoy the bounties of God in nature and providence, without ever bowing your knees to Him in acknowledgment of His mercies?
You say, I make no profession! What! God blesses you day by day with such providential mercies and, far beyond all that, has sent His only-begotten Son to die for you, for He wants to save you from the wrath to come by the shedding of His own precious blood, and yet you "make no profession"! As if such wonderful love and grace were beneath your dignity to notice!
Perhaps you say, "I am not a prayerless person. I could not lie down at night or get up in the morning without saying my prayers. I never commence a meal without repeating grace, and I must own that God has greatly blessed me in my family, business, and property."
All this may be quite true, but what about your soul? You are merely resting in your accustomed religious duties, and owning God in His dealings with you in providence, but you are not owning the mercy of God in saving sinners by the death of His Son. You are neglecting your soul's salvation.
You may acknowledge God, but do you as a lost sinner believe in His Son Jesus Christ for the salvation of your soul? This is the all-important question.
Some may say, "Neither of these describes my case. I try to pray, and cannot. I am often afraid to sleep at night, lest I should awake in hell, and sometimes when I see the lightning and hear the thunder roar, I fear it may be Christ coming in judgment. I had serious impressions when a child, but they passed away. Sometimes I feel better, and then again sin is fastened deeper than ever upon my conscience."
To you, God now freely offers full forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and eternal salvation if you come to Him through Christ. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
Take your stand at Calvary's cross; there read in the shedding of His blood the unutterable mercy of God to sinners. Doubt no more. Lift your soul to heaven's throne of grace where Jesus is. Confess yourself to be a lost sinner; take the living God at His word; rely only upon the Savior's death for acceptance with God, and your burdened heart will find rest and peace.