PURPOSE: To edify and armor members of the body through a greater understanding of why we need to pray and knowledge of what God does for us and in us through prayer.
INTRODUCTION - Public (corporate) prayer is essential to the body of Christ. Family prayer edifies the home. Private prayer is necessary for the individual’s spiritual life. Private, personal prayer is a privilege extended by God. (Note its absence among the Ten Commandments of Ex 20). Our relationship with God is intensely and intimately personal. Our salvation is individual. Our judgment is individual. It is not possible to love God and not pray. It is common to claim to love God and not pray. Just as faith without works is dead, love without prayer is dead. Prayer is a discipline which strengthens the spirit as exercise strengthens the body.
As a loving Parent Who knows better than we do, God’s response to prayer requests may be “Yes”, “No”, or “Wait”. Thus, all prayer is subject to the sovereign will of God AND all Scripture regarding prayer is within the context of God’s will. A spirit of prayer is submissive to God’s will and allows us to accept a “No” without anger. It is critical for us to understand that not all prayer involves requests. A prayer may contain only thanksgiving ((which IS praise (Heb 13:15)).
Far too many Christians are unable to pray effectively because of un-Scriptural teaching which leaves them attempting to communicate with God in pseudo-religious language restricted by “rules” about prayer and desiring to impress God with how holy we are. They have been told “How To Pray” (activity) without understanding what they are really doing. Prayer must be without pretense. We should pray in times of strength as well as times of weakness. We are “little children” spending time with our loving, merciful, trusted, protecting, providing, heart-knowing, understanding, gracious and wise Father. We are not revealing secrets to the Omniscient One, we are fulfilling our purpose. We were created for His pleasure (Rev 4:11), unto good works (Eph 2:10), AND fellowship (1 Co 1:9 and 1 Jn 1:3).
WHAT IS PRAYER? - The approach of the soul to the heart of God. When we pray we offer ourselves to God. Our soul is in communion with God and involves both mind and spirit. Prayer is to the soul what breath is to the body. It is the expressway to God’s heart. It is the door to our house of love. Prayer is two-way communication. Prayer is mutual indwelling. It allows us to be ministered to AND to minister to others. Prayer allows us to understand what it means to be in the presence of God. Prayer gives us strength, comfort and inner healing. This spiritual strength is necessary to do God’s will. Without it we can be like shiny new cars with no fuel. Capable and looking good on the outside but without power. Nothing but unrealized potential, unable to compete in the race, or unable to finish without refueling.
We are told to “Pray without ceasing (1 Th 5:17) because prayer is an attitude.
- "without ceasing"=Gr."adialeiptos"="without omission", "permanent", "without interruption." Used only by Paul in the N.T. also used in 1Th 1:3, 2:13 and Ro 1:9. Used in adjective form in Ro 9:2 and 2Ti 1:3.
- "Pray" = Gr."proseuchomai" - Restricted to prayer to God.
We obviously cannot physically be in continual prayer. It is only in the Spirit that we can "pray without ceasing." Prayer must necessarily not be mere utterance of words. It cannot be limited by timing, location, position or circumstance. Prayer consists of connection to and through the Holy Spirit to elevate our hearts and minds to a communal state with God. It is thus possible for us to be engaged in prayer while carrying out our daily activities and obligations. Prayer is an attitude. It is a necessary part of our Christian walk to express ourselves to God in words, but we must not think of it as the fulfillment of this verse. What we receive from God and how we receive it is the essence of the heart to Heart communion. Not only are words not required for prayer (Ro 8:26,27), excessive output (i.e., focusing on our own words to the extent that the communication becomes one-way as a monologue) may limit Divine input (NOTE: Praying in tongues is the Holy Spirit joining and supplementing us in prayer not interceding). God's ministry to our spirit makes prayer a privilege afforded by Grace. We are allowed to be in God's presence, not forced.
- Prayer, as an offering to God, must be unblemished, and therefore, must be completely truthful (Jas 3:13-18; Ps 145:18).
- Prayer includes thanksgiving and praise (Ps 100:4). The heart and mind, as well as the tongue, can give praise (See Ps 30:12a; 138:1). In fact, our very lives can/should constitute praise to God (the true meaning of Ro 12:1,2). We are completely able to "pray without ceasing" IF we walk (abide) by/in the Spirit as faithful servants and children.
WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?
· To renew our strength
· To unburden ourselves
· To praise and honor God
· To seek blessings for ourselves and others
· To confess / seek forgiveness
· To obtain mercy and find grace
· To spend time in the presence of God
· To remind ourselves of our weaknesses
· To close the space created between us and God by sin
· To seek direction from God for our lives
· To make righteous choices/decisions
SHOULD WE KNEEL? - Jonah prayed while in the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1). To document more fully, read the following partial list of relevant Scriptures:
o Kneeling Ezra 9:5
o Standing Neh 9:5
o Sitting 1Ch 17:16-27
o Bowing Ex 34:8
o Hands Uplifted 1 Ti 2:8
o Prostrate Mt 26:39
WHY MUST WE PRAY IN THE SPIRIT?
Because God is Spirit (Jn 4:24 omit “a”) and we are flesh. Spirit and flesh are incompatible (Gal 5:17) and therefore cannot commune without a third element. It is the Holy Spirit which enables us to commune with God. In the natural world, think of oil/grease and water not mixing. If we introduce a soap or detergent we are then effectively able to wash dishes, etc. The dishwater itself, scientifically is known as an emulsion. Two elements which otherwise don’t mix being brought together by a third element known as an “emulsifying agent”. The Holy Spirit is the emulsifying agent which allows us to commune with God. Without it, there is no mixing/communion.
WHAT IS SUPPLICATION?
In Phil 4:6 "supplication"= Gr."deesis" - A specific spoken petition from one who needs to One Who can "supply". This word does not apply to written requests. Supplication, by definition, asks “If You will”, not “If You can.” This necessarily includes an attitude of humility. Supplication can in no way be a demand.
WHAT CAN HINDER PRAYER?
Because God looks at the heart of one who prays, attitude, faith and motivation are factors. We must achieve some standard of acceptability to be allowed in His presence. Anything which hinders our prayer is a sign of trouble for our spiritual walk, our righteousness, and our peace. We cannot "pray without ceasing" under any of the following conditions:
· Unforgiveness Mk 11:24-26
· Doubt Jas 1:5-7
· Lack of faith Heb 11:6
· Disobedience Pr 28:9
· Carnality Jas 4:1-3
· Marital Discord 1Pe 3:7
· Insincerity Mal 1:7-9
· Inhumanity Pr 21:13
· Iniquity Ps 66:18
PRAYER FOR OTHERS – Jas 5:16 Luke 22:31,32
Intercessory prayer is not restricted to specific trials and circumstances. It is an everyday part of our spiritual walk. Let’s look at Col 1:9-14 to see examples from Paul of what we can pray about for others.
1. The knowledge of God’s will
2. God’s wisdom
3. Spiritual understanding
4. Godly living
5. Fruitfulness / Good works
6. Increased knowledge of the Lord->
7. Strengthening through God’s power
8. Endurance with patience and joy
FOR INDIVIDUAL UNDERSTANDING
Matthew 6:9-13 – The Disciples’ Prayer
Daniel 10:1-15
(Peter) Mt 14:25-31 (David) 2 Samuel 12:15-23
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