Need # 3 Prayer
Prayer why is this a hard thing to do? This should be as natural to do
as tying your shoes, that is if you don't have slip-on shoes or Velcro type.
Shoes. I find it difficult myself to pray. My mind drifts off to something
other than what I'm doing. My mind is cluttered with too much JUNK. Sometimes
we just don't know what to say, some times and I've done this, we fall asleep.
I think if most Christians would look at their prayer life seriously they would
probably find their prayer time lacking.
What is prayer? Simple answer it’s a way of
communicating with our heavenly father, bringing before him our needs, praises,
and desires. To ask for what is within our ability to do, that it's the right
thing to do, or ask for the ability to do what seems out of our reach. To ask
for healing or restoration of a relationship, forgivingness of sins the list can
go on and on.
I need to practice this myself, when you pray,
having that time alone with God. Seclude yourself from the outside world.
Seclude yourself from the outside distractions. Clear your mind from mental
distractions. Go into your prayer closet. I'm not talking about when there is a
need in the here and now, but during your personnel one on one time with GOD.
When you are just talking to God
I mentioned a prayer closet or just someplace
from distractions. That can be difficult to do with today’s tech. You may need
to leave that idol called a cellphone out of your reach or just shut it off.
For some that is very difficult to do. Jesus at times when he prayed he
went to a place without distractions.
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in
the morning, while it was still dark, he (Jesus)departed and went out to a desolate
place, and there he prayed.
Matt 14:23 And after he(Jesus) had
dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
When evening came, he was there alone,
Luke 6:12 In these days he
(Jesus)went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he
continued in prayer to God.
Here are 3 examples of Jesus going off to a place to pray getting away
from the distractions of his surroundings. If Jesus had the need to get away to
pray, how much
more is our need to get away to pray
in such a busy world.? We need to find that place ,maybe its upstairs in the
sewing room or out in the garage , the lake, a deer stand it can be anywhere
that distractions are limited.
Matt 6:6 But when you pray, go
into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in
secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
What makes prayer an essential to our
relationship with God? God tells us to pray.
Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 4:2 Continue
steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Matt 26:41 Watch and pray that
you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak.”
1Thessalonians 5: 16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
God
desires communication with him for us to know him and that is imparted through
prayer! That is talking with God. Thus, far I've mentioned 2 aspects of
prayer 1 Isolation that is a place without distractions and 2 commanded to
pray. How many aspects are there about prayer I don't know but when I'm done
there will be at least as many as I wrote about.
Some will say I don't know how to pray? I don’t
really buy that as an excuse not to pray.
Romans 8:26 tells us the Holy Spirit will
intercede for us. In a lot of denominational traditions. There is a scripture
that many learn and that's the Disciples instruction on How to pray (commonly
called "The Lord’s Prayer”)
Luke 11:1Now Jesus was praying in a certain
place, and when he finished, one of his
disciples said to him, “Lord,
teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them,
“When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
There is a slightly longer version of these
instructions in Matthew 6:6-14.
6 But when you pray, go into your room
and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your
Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not
heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will
be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father
knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day
our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our
debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into
temptation,
but deliver
us from evil.
I'm not going to go in great depth
on this section of scripture just going to bring out the highlights. So, let’s
get started verse 6 isolate yourself from distractions as I mentioned earlier.
Find that place where you can close out the distractions of the world Verse 7
Don't use empty words I’m going to make up 2 prayers on the same topic 1st
one " Great and mighty father in heaven help me through this troubled time,
this time in my distress and my anguish, relieve me of this turmoil, remove
from me the thing that is causing me to want to die. Great is your power and
Glory for in you nothing is impossible, in the Glory of your son Jesus the
Christ amen " 2nd prayer " Father Help Me”.
King David had Long and short prayers. My
point is this you don't need a bunch of words to pray Just start taking to God.
God isn't tallying how many words are being used or how many synonyms are being
used to describe your distress, He doesn't say I'll help him he used a lot of words,
or I won't help him he only uses 3 words. He doesn't say he is serious and he
isn't because of the amount of words used. When we don't know what to pray for
then the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. Romans 8 26-27
26 Likewise the Spirit helps
us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the
Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts
knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for
the saints according to the will of God.
Some times when you pray just be quiet don't
do all the talking. It’s not about the words as much as it is about the heart,
what's the intent of your heart, what’s there when you pray God knows.
Acts 24:24 And they prayed and said,
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these
two you have chosen.
Time to get off this box for a new one is
coming soon. Verse 9 Holy is your name is speaking of showing God reverence
verse 10 asking for his kingdom on earth and HIS WILL to be done,
not ours. That's the next soap box coming up shortly
Verse 11 provide for our needs
daily, some may say God doesn't do this, really! How do you get through a
single day without God's intervention in some form or another? I couldn't
imagine a day that God hasn't interceded in some form. Then there will be those
who say God didn't help me by a house or whatever. Well the verse say's needs
not wants. So there needs to be a determination is it a need or a want. And
that's pretty much another paper to write .
Verse 12 ask for forgiveness and
help us to forgive others. Verse 13 Guide our lives and stear us clear of
temptation so that we may not fail. In this request, we have an obligation to
listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He may be saying turn around and
your saying NO.
Quoting scripture is great and
should be done ,my problem with this is that doing it as a mantra and if we
don't then all hell will break loose. This is not some special formula to get
what you want .This is instructions on a way to pray like I said earlier in
this paper "IT'S A MATTER OF THE HEART"
Soap Box Time " His Will "
There are several TV evangelist, so called men and women of God known as
the word of faith ,name it and claim it or the prosperity gospel type's who say
" that what ever you ask for you get ,that God has to do as you say. We
can manipulate God to do our will. The
“name it and claim it” or “prosperity gospel” is not biblical and is in many
ways directly opposed to the true gospel message and the clear teaching of
Scripture. While there are many different versions of the name it and claim it
philosophy preached today, they all have similar characteristics. At its best,
this teaching comes from the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of some
Scriptures, and, at its worst, it is a completely heretical teaching that has
the characteristics of cultic doctrine.
The roots of the Word of Faith movement and
the name it and claim it message have more in common with new age
metaphysics than with biblical Christianity. However, instead of us
creating our reality with our thoughts, as new age proponents advise, name it
and claim it teachers tell us that we can use the “power of faith” to create
our own reality or get what we want. In essence, faith is redefined from “a
trust in a holy and sovereign God despite our circumstances” to “a way of
controlling God to give us what we want.” Faith becomes a force whereby we
can get what we want rather than an abiding trust in God even during times of
trials and suffering.This is totally a false teaching and should be not be
listened too.
There are verses that do make it sound like we
can have as long as we believe and have no dought about what we ask for. So
lets take a look at some verses. I'm only going to go over theses verses
briefly just the parts about prayer then will give a explanation at the end of
this soapbox
Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be
given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who
knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him
for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask him!
Brief thought :Ask The first of
three commands in this verse. Jesus’ followers are to ask for what they
need.
It will be given to you In each of
the three statements here, Jesus’ point is the same: When God’s people pursue
something—by asking, seeking, knocking—He responds in faithfulness and
generosity. This verse emphasizes the need for an authentic
relationship with God. You will find God is still the one who
allows for this action to take place.
Matt 21:22 And whatever you
ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
More thought :whatever you ask in
prayer The qualifiers about asking in prayer and with faith restrict the
requests that God will grant. He will not give the disciples their every
whim and desire; He will grant those things that align with His will and plan
for the kingdom.
John 14:13 Whatever you ask in
my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
More thought :whatever you ask
in my name Refers to those occasions when He is given credit for the work,
rather than the person performing the work, and when it is in His will.
Mark11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you
ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Last
Thought :Belief and faith go hand in hand to receive what you have asked
for.
So in these verses what is it we have ,
ask,seek faith,ask in Jesus name,believe that you
have received. These verses make it
sound as if we have these different things that God has to do whatever we ask
john 14 :13a states that basically"Whatever you ask in my name, this I
will do, " What is missing from these verses? I made mention of it in
one of my thoughts above .GODS WILL . What was stated in
the instructions on how to pray "Thy will be done."
1 John 5:14 And this is the
confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to
his will he hears us.
This is an assurance that God hears all
prayers; however, God answers prayers according to his will which
doesn't always align with human desires.
Luke 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a
stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are
willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be
done.”
This is a verse of Jesus praying to
be relieved from what was to take place shortly ,yet he prayed Gods will
not his.
Colossians 1:9For this reason also, since the
day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may
be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding,
Romans 1:10 always in my prayers making
request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed
in coming to you.
John 9:31 "We know that God does not hear
sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all
your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Or
you could say by his will (my thought)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give
thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
And one from the Old Testament
Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
What is the common thread here? GODS WILL when ever we pray its God will not our own for
we do not have the mind of God , we don;t have the end results of the actions
that take place ,.So pray in God's will ,start by having a authentic
relationship with God not a god in the box type were you pull him out only when
needed and then put him back . Just because we use Jesus name in our prayer and
believe that we will received what we
ask for doesn't mean it is what we
will get they are not magic phrases to be used to manipulate or trick God into
doing our will. It is always Gods will not our own. If you are an authentic Christian,
a Biblical Christian, and not a Sunday Christian or as needed
Christian then I believe that most
of the time when you pray your praying in Gods will to be done. At time's your
prayer will also be selfish .Most Christians prayers are probably selfish.. Ok
I'll get off this soap box and move on.
Verse 11 Pray for the needs you have on a
daily basis. God will provide you the means to get through each and every day.
One of the names of God in scripture is " Jehovah Jireh " means God
our provider. God provides for the needs we have like he provides for the birds in the air.
Matt 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they
neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father
feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Because God provides for birds, He
will surely take care of His people. How much time do you add to your life
worrying about about the needs of the day ? The answer is simple not a single
hour..
Matthew 6:27 And which of you by being
anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? This is a rhetorical
question ,be cause you cant add any time to your life but research has show
those who are overly worried about everything have more health issues than
those who don't.
So when we pray to Jehovah Jireh that is God
our provider Seek first His kingdom and
His righteousness and all your needs will be dealt with .
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
When you pray for God to provide your needs he
will meet you head on to help you through the needs of the day. An example from
my life I had a need for a vehicle, Four people in the house ,and we all
worked, but when one of the cars broke down . I
prayed about it and let the need of a car be known to the body of Christ
and several people offered a car to use . God met that need head on. One last
comment notice I am using the term needs
not wants . Needs and wants are two different things . I'll talk about that
in a later study
Verse 12
Forgive our debts as we have forgiven our debtors . Debt is a metaph for
offence or sin. When we pray we ask for a type of forgiveness that only God can
give ,When God forgives he blots out our sins and remembers them no more Isa
43:25“I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
Along with that forgiveness or maybe
its before that forgiveness that we for give others for their actions against
us. There's a great scripture in Psalms 19.
Psalms 19:12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from
presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent
of great transgression.
The writer is asking for God to show
the sins that they are not aware of and to keep him from committing sin and to
keep sin from dominion in his life , so that they can be declared innocent .
This kind of forgiveness were GOD
declares he will not remember them nor will he bring them back up . Now to
touch on the second half of verse 12 chap6 of Matthew. It says as we have
forgiven our debtors or you could say as we have forgiven those who sinned
against us
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive others
their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
Sounds like we need to forgive
others in order to receive forgiveness from the Father.
Don't want to make a doctrine out of
one verse, so is there more verses like this .
Colossians3:13 bearing with one another and,
if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as
the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you will
not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and
you will be forgiven;
Just one more verse
Matthew 5:23 So if you are offering
your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something
against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar
and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your
gift.
This verse is a little different,
yet the precept is there. In response to God’s forgiveness of them, Jesus’
followers should offer forgiveness to those who have wronged them. Forgiveness
results in forgiveness. Since God has forgiven members of His kingdom, they
must forgive others
As God has forgiven us we must
forgive others. OK Now the last verse in the instructions on how to pray .
Verse 13 speaks of temptation.To
have the ability to resist it and to be removed from it. Why is this important
? Because our flesh ,that part of us that is still decaying still under the
curse of sin is still sinful and weak.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray
that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing,
but the flesh is weak.
Luke 22:40 And when he came to the
place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation
has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not
let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will
also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure
it.
As Christians we live in a fallen
world, a world that does not want to be told they are sinning .There are many
avenues for temptation to enter into our lives. With todays technological
advances sinning is easier than ever before. Or maybe the desire to sin is
readily available at a slide of a finger .
We should be praying that God will
strengthen us as we go about our business to not fall to the temptation . If we
do fall into temptation God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can
handle and he will provide the means to escape the temptation.
Just briefly this scripture is often quoted in
response to trials in your life that you feel you cant handle . Saying God will
not give you more than you can handle.. That is in correct. This verse is about
temptation not trials. They are 2 different things.
Temptations come from the flesh;
trials are sent from God. Therefore when we speak of "trial" we see
God's fingerprints; when we see temptation, we see our own finger prints—or the
devil's finger prints. Temptation comes from within; trials usually come from
outside us. Temptation will usually attack a weak spot; trials test our
strength as well as exposing a weakness we may have been unaware of.
With all that I have said, do we
need to pray ? ABSOLUTLY ! Why? To communicate with God ,to strengthen your
relationship with God,to glorify God ,To ask for his will in our lives, to
provide for our needs,to seek forgiveness and the ability to forgive others, to
keep us from temptation ,and delivered from sin. As Christians we NEED to
pray.its not a should we pray its a must pray its an essential in your
relationship with God. One last comment .How does your relationship grow with
others with out communication ? It doesn't ,just as your relationship with God
will not grow with out communication.
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