Prayer is proof that conversion has taken place, but is only improved through the spiritual discipline of Bible intake. According to A.W. Pink, “As we hide the Word in our hearts, and it cleanses, moulds and regulates our inner man, will our prayers be acceptable in God’s sight” (46).

THE SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER

1) We know we have profited from the word when we realize the deep importance of prayer.

Most Christians would say that prayer is important, but much less believe it to be because they fail to make time for it. Pink affirms, “Each of us takes time for anything we deem to be imperative (47). Scripture clearly states, “Devote yourselves to prayer” (Col. 4:2). Prayer is not only emphasized throughout Scripture (Gen. 20:17; 2 Ch. 7:14; Ps. 32:6; Mark 14:38; Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17; etc.), but its importance is demonstrated by our Savior who often began his busy day with prayer (Mark 1:35).

2) We know we have profited from the Word when we express a greater desire for things of eternal significance.

Our natural desire for immediate earthly possessions should change as we grow in godliness through the study of God’s Word. According to Pink, “It is heavenly and eternal things (Col. 3:1) which are to be sought first and foremost, as being of far greater importance and value than temporal things” (50).

3) We know we have profited from the Word when we pray with the right goal in mind.

Another sign of a maturing believer is one who prays with the correct end in mind, which is “the glory of God.” Paul asserts, “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Pink warns, “To pray for anything, and not expressly unto the end which God has designed, is to ‘ask amiss’ (James 4:3), and therefore to no purpose” (52).

4) We know we have profited from the Word when we believe in the God we are praying to.

Prayer without faith is futile. Paul explains, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed” (Rom. 10:14). According to Pink, “The better we are acquainted with the Divine promises, and the more we are enabled to understand the goodness, grace and mercy prepared and proposed in them, the better equipped are we for acceptable prayer" (53). In other words, the more we understand who God is and what He does, the more confidence we should have in what He is going to do.

5) We know we have profited from the Word when we are brought into complete submission to God.

According to Pink, “Prayer is ordained to bring us into the place of dependence, to develop within us a sense of our helplessness, by owning that without the lord we can do nothing, and that we are beggars upon His charity for everything we are and have (51).

6) We know we have profited from the Word when prayer produces within us a deep-rooted joy.

Pink states, “To come into the conscious presence of God, to behold the glorious light of His countenance, to commune with Him at the mercy seat, is a foretaste of the eternal bliss awaiting us in heaven. The one who is blessed with this experience says with the Psalmist, ‘It is good for me to draw near to God’ (Ps. 73:28)" (54-55).

Pink, A.W. Profiting from the Word. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1977. 45-56.