A sincere Christian man asked me the following question in a letter recently: "Whom do we believe? Over the years I've read the works of many ministers who were convinced the end was near. Yet over and over they've missed it. I realize now that some were just trying to sell a book. But others truly thought God was telling them the end was upon us.

"Help, Lord: for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men" (Psalm 12:1).

A seventy-five-year-old retired official of a large Pentecostal denomination was arrested recently in Houston, Texas. He was charged with soliciting a prostitute. He confessed he had been doing this for nearly forty years; yet in all that time he had never shed a tear of grief. At one time he had been a faithful servant of God - but for the past forty years, he had lived a lie. He failed God, ceasing to be godly.

A precious doctor friend told me once how God enlisted him in the "school of sympathy." He had had very little empathy with people who complained of pain. Doctors see and hear so much regarding pain that they often become immune to it. He couldn't understand why patients with kidney stones, for instance, would scream with pain. He thought, "It can't be that bad - they must be putting it on a little - perhaps to get medication. How could anybody hurt that badly?" Then one day he woke up with kidney stones!

I've been perplexed for some time about a problem that has persisted in the church for years - and it concerns me deeply. The problem is, why is it so hard for Christians to pray?

Scripture makes it clear that the answer to everything in our lives is prayer mixed with faith. The apostle Paul writes, "Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6). Paul is telling us, "Seek the Lord about every area of your life. And thank him ahead of time for hearing you!"

Almost everywhere I go nowadays, I hear people say, "I wish I could just run away from it all." Then after a sad pause, they add, "But I don't know where to run. I have no place to go. And I guess I'm too chicken."

Jesus told his disciples, “I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” He then quickly added these solemn words: “And that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).

Christ’s words here apply to all of his disciples, in every age. He is telling us, in essence, “Be sure that your fruit will endure the Day of Judgment.”

To some readers, the statement I’m about to make will sound bold. To others it will sound obvious. Either way, it’s a commentary on the church I’d rather not have to make. That is, most Christians are powerless.

Consider what “normal” Christianity looks like today in the typical believer. This person is a bit self-seeking, a little materialistic, somewhat consumerist. Most of his daily choices are about improving his life. That includes his spiritual pursuits, from his church groups to the podcasts he downloads to the seminars he attends.

Have you ever asked that question? Is there one special matter you have been praying about for a long time, with no apparent answer in sight? Are there times whenyou wonder if the answer will ever come? Have you honestly done everything you know to do? Have you fulfilled every requirement of prayer? Have you wept, fasted, and fervently petitioned God in true faith? - And yet nothing seems to happen?