Prayerfully
Jesus was a man of prayer. We cannot follow him and not be people of prayer also. It is pointless to continue our Year of Preaching unless we are constantly in touch with God, who will show us how to behave as a people set apart for Him.
Look up the following verses in the gospel of Luke and write beside each one the occasion of the Lord Jesus’ prayer, and the type of prayer it was — e.g. praise, thanks, petition and so on.
| 3:21 | 6:12-13 | 9:28 |
| 10:21 | 22:32 | 22:42 |
| 22:44 | 23:34 | 23:46 |
It should be plain that Jesus spoke to his Father in every circumstance — to ask help and to offer thanks and praise. If we are his followers, so should we.
Prayer isn’t easy for everyone. Even Jesus’ first disciples found it difficult. So he, gave them a lesson — the Lord’s prayer. Read it again, to remind yourself of its contents and note three things:
The prayer begins by addressing God as “Our Father” — a name he wants us to use, as His children.
The prayer begins and ends with praise.
The phrase “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” — although this is future, it can also have a present fulfilment. Do you know how?
If Ye Have Faith
Jesus said other interesting things about prayer. Look up the following verses: Matt. 21:21-22, Mark 11:22-24.
What characteristic does Jesus couple with prayer here?
The New Testament writers reinforced this idea. (see James 5:15, 17:18; James 1:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:8.) Look at the prayer of Jesus at the raising of Lazarus in John 11:41-42. Have you noticed Jesus’ words? He said “I thank thee that thou hast heard me”. He thanked God for answering his prayer before Lazarus had been raised from the dead.
Let us consider this matter carefully. Do we pray, as these verses suggest we should, believing that we have received? Could we, like Jesus, thank God for His answer before we receive it? Do our prayers “avail much” as. James says they should? Is it enough to pray believing that God could do something? Isn’t there a big difference between that and believing that He will do something?
Why does James tell us to pray for the sick, if our prayers couldn’t bring about a healing? Why does he compare us to Elijah and say —”he was a man like us and he stopped the rain”? Why does Jesus say that if we had even a tiny bit of real faith we could move mountains, if it wasn’t true?
According To Thy Will
But, we say, we have to give God the option. We must ask that our prayers be answered according to His will. Did Hezekiah? He knew that God had said he would die — but he asked God to change His mind — and He did.
This question we must all think about carefully, because the answer to it is not easy.
When we ask God to do things “According to Thy will” are we not simply asking God to do what He was going to do anyway? Aren’t our prayers supposed to be a vehicle for (amongst other things) placing before God our requests in the hope that because of His love for us He will do them? If we ask our prayers consistently with Bible teaching, shouldn’t this be our firm belief?
Of course, God can always answer our prayers with a “no” — but should we pray with the underlying feeling that that is probably what He will say? Isn’t it true that sometimes we do pray this way?
Whatever our answers to the above question may be, this much we should resolve. That in future we will ask our prayers in full confidence, knowing that our God is a God of power. Knowing, furthermore, that He not only can but that He will work effectively and mightily in our lives.
Let’s now look at some of the things the New Testament says about prayer.
That your prayers won’t be hindered
Several verses in the New Testament suggest that prayers to God may be hindered by certain things. Look at these verses: James 5:16, Matt. 11:25.
We know that to come before God we must repent and ask forgiveness for our sins through Jesus. We also know that the degree to which we are forgiven depends upon the degree to which we forgive others. If we have any bitter feelings in our hearts towards anyone, then our position before God is not good. To be “righteous” is to be justified by grace, and, therefore, to have prayers that “avail much” we must set this matter right before God.
By prayer and fasting
Matt. 17:21, Mark 9:29, Luke 2:37, Acts 13:3, 14:23, 1 Cor. 7:5. It is obvious from these verses that fasting was a common practice in New Testament times, and one which was condoned and practised by the Lord Jesus. A question we must ask ourselves is, whether we should fast? Would it help our prayers if we did?
By prayer and supplication
Do you know what “supplication” is? Is it part of your prayer life? All these verses link the two together. Acts 11:4, Eph. 6:18, 1 Tim. 5:5, Heb. 5:7.
Should supplication be more obviously associated with our prayers? Is it?
And be ye thankful
Col. 1:3, Phil. 4:6, 1 Tim. 2:1.
We spend so much of our praying time asking God for things. How often do we forget to thank Him?
Has the possibility of a “thanksgiving” evening ever been considered? What do you think of the idea?
With alms
Acts 10:4, 31. These verses are mentioned for your own thoughtful consideration.
Continue fervent in prayer
Both the Lord Jesus and the New Testament writers stress the need for constancy and fervour in praying. Jesus told the parable in Luke 18:1-8 of the woman who was answered because she kept on asking.
Praying with constancy
Luke 2:37, Luke 6:12, Luke 18:1; Acts 6:4. 12:5; Col. 1:3, 1:9, 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; 2 Thess. 1:11.
Praying with fervour and the whole heart’s desire
Luke 22:44; James 5:16, 17; Rom. 10:1, 15:30; Col. 4:12. Look at these verses and consider what they are saying.
Just looking through the verses of Scripture throughout this Study. Guide should have shown us that our prayer lives are not all they could be. Do you want this to change? Are you prepared to make the effort needed for it to change?
START NOW — as a family, as an individual, as a family of God — let’s start praying, taking into account all we have learnt. We need to pray always, but especially in this Year of Witness. Could you imagine what might happen if all the household of God began praying — faithfully, fervently, constantly, thankfully? Do you want to know?
Practical help
Just some suggestions you may use or discard —
- Make a list of the people and things you wish to pray for and pray for each one specifically and by name.
- Make a list of your enemies, or people you don’t love as you should, and pray for them specifically.
- Make a list of things about God you want to praise — and praise Him.
- Note, in writing, when your prayers are answered — whether with a “yes” or “no” and thank Him whatever the answer.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay