Jude 20–21 — “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God…”
Introduction
Salvation is the sovereign work of God, purchased by the blood of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Yet Scripture also teaches that the believer must walk in continual fellowship with God, guarding the soul from drifting, deception, and spiritual decay. Prayer is central to this walk. It is not a religious exercise—it is the lifeline of the redeemed. Prayer is the God-ordained means by which a Christian remains anchored in grace, empowered for obedience, protected from temptation, and kept in the love of God.
Prayer as the Lifeline of Fellowship with God
The first purpose of prayer is fellowship. Salvation is not merely a legal transaction but a restored relationship with God. Jesus declared, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God” (John 17:3).
- Prayer maintains the relationship that salvation establishes.
- Without prayer, the believer’s awareness of God’s presence fades.
- Neglect of fellowship leads to spiritual weakness, wandering, and vulnerability.
Just as a branch must continually abide in the vine to bear fruit (John 15:4–6), so the believer must remain connected to Christ through prayer. Prayer is abiding.
Prayer as a Guard Against Sin and Temptation
Jesus warned His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). Prayer is not optional in spiritual warfare—it is the shield that extinguishes the flaming arrows of the enemy.
- Prayer keeps the conscience tender.
- Prayer maintains the fear of the Lord.
- Prayer strengthens the will to resist the flesh.
A prayerless Christian is always a defeated Christian. Temptation thrives where prayer is absent, but loses its power where prayer is present. Sin dulls prayer, but prayer destroys sin.
Prayer as the Means of Spiritual Strength and Endurance
The believer is commanded to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This is not hyperbole—this is a recognition that the Christian life cannot be lived in human strength.
- Grace is supplied through prayer.
- Wisdom is supplied through prayer.
- Power is supplied through prayer.
Salvation is maintained—not by human effort—but by remaining in the flow of divine strength. Jude teaches that praying in the Holy Spirit is how we “build ourselves up” and “keep ourselves in the love of God.” Prayer is spiritual oxygen. Without it, faith suffocates.
Prayer as Alignment with the Will of God
Jesus taught, “Thy will be done.” This is not merely a phrase—it is the posture of every saved soul. Prayer aligns the Christian’s heart with God’s purposes, keeping us from drifting into self-will, compromise, or rebellion.
- Prayer sanctifies desires.
- Prayer clarifies direction.
- Prayer conforms the heart to Christ.
A believer out of prayer is a believer out of alignment. Eventually, that misalignment produces compromise, coldness, and spiritual instability. But through prayer, the Spirit continually corrects, guides, and transforms.
Prayer as the Preservation of Faith
Scripture warns believers to guard their faith diligently. Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12), and Jesus prayed specifically that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:32).
Faith flourishes in prayer but withers without it.
- Prayer feeds faith by keeping the believer rooted in God’s promises.
- Prayer renews trust when trials and discouragement attack.
- Prayer keeps the heart believing, expecting, and relying on God.
A prayerless Christian will always drift toward unbelief. Prayer is the God-ordained means by which faith is sustained.
Prayer Keeps a Christian Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit
Prayer is not merely speaking—it is surrender, yielding, and presenting oneself before God. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit fills, convicts, guides, and empowers.
Paul commands, “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). This walk is impossible without prayer.
- Prayer opens the heart to the Spirit’s voice.
- Prayer increases sensitivity to His leading.
- Prayer keeps the believer from quenching or grieving the Spirit.
To neglect prayer is to drift from the Spirit’s influence; to pray is to remain under His sanctifying power.
Prayer as the Evidence of a Living Salvation
The saved pray. Prayer is not the cause of salvation but the fruit of it. A soul that has been regenerated longs for communion with God.
The absence of prayer is spiritual danger, but the absence of desire for prayer is spiritual death.
Where the Spirit dwells, prayer exists.
Where prayer dies, spiritual decay begins.
Prayer, therefore, is both the evidence and the sustenance of a living walk with God.
Conclusion
Prayer is essential in maintaining salvation—not because salvation depends on human effort, but because salvation is a living relationship that must be nourished, strengthened, and guarded. Through prayer the believer abides in Christ, resists temptation, receives strength, aligns with God’s will, sustains faith, walks in the Spirit, and remains in the love of God.
A Christian who prays will endure.
A Christian who does not pray will drift.
Prayer is the God-appointed means by which the saved are kept, strengthened, and preserved unto the day of redemption.