Luke 13:1-5 (NASB)
1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?
3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 8:22 (NASB)
22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

J.C. Ryle in “A Call to Prayer” and his thoughts on the role of prayer in salvation.

“I hold salvation by grace as strongly as any one. I would gladly offer a free and full pardon to the greatest sinner that ever lived. I would not hesitate to stand by his dying bed, and say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ even now, and you shall be saved.” But that a man can have salvation without asking for it, I cannot see in the Bible. That a man will receive pardon of his sins, who will not so much as lift up his heart inwardly, and say, “Lord Jesus, give it to me,” this I cannot find. I can find that nobody will be saved by his prayers, but I cannot find that without prayer anybody will be saved.”

I suppose that someone with a truly repentant heart could pray only once to God, asking for His forgiveness and then receive the gift of eternal life. But I am more likely to believe that anyone that has at one time prayed and received salvation, would want to continue to pray regularly.

It is true for me that during those years that I was reluctant to pray out loud in the presence of others was because I had little prayer life in private with God. I suspect that is the same with most people.

Ryle’s book on prayer was a call for people to pray, for he believed that a person’s prayer life is a true reflection of whether they are a child of the kingdom. He believed that being a prayer warrior was not a special gift given only to a select few Christians, but to all Christians. And that the private life of prayer was a reflection of those that had truly received the gift of eternal life.

Sobering thoughts to reflect about those that fill the pews in church on Sunday. And a call to prayer for all.

Always praying for the glory of God,