Sunday, September 13, 2015 am
GOING ON TO PERFECTION 2015 (27)
The Christian and Prayer
What is Prayer?
Today we want to note what prayer is and why it is important in our
lives. Next week we will
address what makes prayers acceptable to God – attitudes, actions, (who
can pray), etc. Finally, we
will briefly discuss HOW we should pray, noting some elements that will
make our prayers effective.
a.
Defined - in its
simplest sense it is the way we speak to God.
It is a petition addressed to God.
James 1:5, says, “let him ask of God.” God
communicates with us today through His word.
He has provided the avenue of prayer as the way for us to
communicate to Him.
b.
It is described in
numerous ways in scripture – at times using the word prayer, but at
other times in ideas that would include prayer
i.
Asking, seeking and
knocking – Matt. 7:7-11
ii.
Crying out to God – Luke
18:6-8
iii.
Letting your requests be
made known to God – Philippians 4:6
iv.
An act of faith – James
5:15, 1:6
v.
Incense to God – Rev.
5:8, Psalm 141:2
vi.
Lifting up one’s soul to
God – Psalm 25:1, “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
vii.
Pouring out your heart
before Him – Psalm 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour
out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah”
viii.
It is raising one’s
voice to God – Acts 4:24, 31
ix.
Coming before the throne
of grace – Hebrews 4:16
x.
Spiritual sacrifice and
the fruit of our lips – Hebrews 13:15
xi.
It is an act of worship
– John 4:24, 1 Cor. 14:15, etc.
c.
Prayer is an extremely important work of the Christian.
It is something that is to be engaged in regularly, deliberately,
thoughtfully, and thoroughly.
It is an act that will have a direct bearing on how strong one’s
faith is. Yet, for many it
is a neglected task or something we struggle with – Because of our busy
lives, it is sometimes forgotten about or done with little thought.
It is used by some only in cases of emergency and abused by
others for selfish wants.
Yet in spite of this, we need to find time to pray properly.
Prayer is an acknowledgment of the authority and power of God.
It is an act that demonstrates our need for Him in our lives, as
well as our trust in Him.
d.
Its importance is seen
in prominence in scripture
Early men began to “call upon the name of the Lord” (Gen. 4:26, 12:8,
etc.). Often this expression
was associated with sacrifices, but it is clearly one appealing to God.
- Prayer was a part of the Mosaic Law, though often intercession came
through the priesthood.
- David continually engaged in prayers (many of his psalms are prayers)
- Elijah was a man of prayer (James 5:17-18),
- Daniel prayed to God regularly (even when it caused him trouble – Dan.
6:10),
- Both Ezra and Nehemiah prayed to God after the Babylonian return of
Judah (Ezra 7:27, 8:23; Nehemiah – 2:4, 4:4, 9, etc.)
- Paul continually prayed and taught the importance of prayer.
We will see some of this in our study.
- Jesus is the ultimate
example of prayer – some 15 times of prayer are recorded in the gospel
accounts. He prayed in the
morning (Mark 1:35) and in the evening (Matt. 14:23).
He prayed long prayers (all night) at times. (Luke 6:12)
Luke 5:16 tells us He prayed often.
He prayed in times of distress (the Garden) and joy (Luke 10:21).
He prayed on the cross (Luke 23:34).
He prayed in worship (i.e. the Passover instituted- cf. Luke
22:14-20), etc. John 17
records a prayer as He prepared for His death – petitions for Himself,
His disciples and all who believed in Him.
His example is worthy of serious consideration, especially when
you consider that He was the Son of God and yet He saw the need to pray
continually. If He needed
prayer, what does that say about us?
a.
1 Timothy 2:1-2, “Therefore
I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence.”
b.
There are several words
in the New Testament (and Old Testament) that describe different types
of prayers that are to be offered.
Many passages in describing our need for prayer will include more
than one word (such as the 4 listed above) – Acts 1:14, Eph. 6:18, Phil.
4:6, Colossians 4:2, etc.)
c.
Prayers –
the most common word is προσευχάς, (proseuchas) and is most general in
its meaning – “to speak or make requests to God” (LN 33.178);
a petition addressed to a deity (BDAG).
In the Bible it is always addressed to God.
Jesus in the Garden rose up from His prayer and told His disciples to
“Rise and pray” (Luke 22:45-46)
Acts 2:42 speaks of the early church continuing steadfastly in prayers…
Ephesians 1:16 Paul made mention of brethren continually in his prayers
Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God;”
d.
Supplications
– δέησις, (deēsis) is a word as described as a divine entreaty or
urgent request.
The word is sometimes translated prayer(s) or supplications.
It is a more intense word than “prayers”.
This is descriptive of someone who is serious in their prayers as they
address needs both for themselves and for others.
Romans 10:1, Paul’s heart’s
desire and prayer to God was
the salvation of Israel.
Ephesians 6:18, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints—”
James 5:16 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray
for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent
prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Hebrews 5:7 uses this term (prayers) to describe Jesus praying to the
Father in the Garden of Gethsemane.
“When He had offered up
prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who
was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear…”
He earnestly desired, “Let this cup pass from Me” but He still submitted
to His will.
e.
Intercessions
-
ἐντεύξεις,
(enteuxeis) describes a formal petition, usually on behalf of another.
The word is found here (noun form) and in 1 Tim. 4:5 where it is
“prayer.”
The verb form of this word is used to describe how Jesus intercedes for
us – Heb. 7:25, “He always lives
to make intercession for them”; Rom. 8:27, 34 also
As Christians we are to think about others and their needs.
Our prayers need to reflect this – Matt. 5:44 (even our enemies),
James 5:16 – pray for one another, etc.
The text we are examining (1 Tim. 2:1-2) here indicates prayers
on behalf of leaders (not exclusively godly ones) and for all men.
f.
Giving of thanks
– (thanksgiving) - εὐχαριστία (eucharistia) – expressing gratitude for our benefits
and blessings.
“Continue earnestly in prayer,
being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving;” (Colossians 4:2)
“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if
it is received with thanksgiving;” (1 Timothy 4:4)
Our prayers are
typically filled with requests to God.
As we approach Him there needs to be gratitude for what He has
already done.
g.
There are other words
used to describe prayers but these are the main ones and they
demonstrate what prayer is about.
a.
“The Lord’s prayer” – Matthew 6:9-13.
In this prayer Jesus was teaching His disciples HOW to pray.
It was not designed to be a ritualistic chant, but teaching about
what we should pray for. IN
Luke 11:1-4 the disciples are requesting, “Lord,
teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples.”
We then have an example SIMILAR, but not exact, to Matthew
6:9-13.
b.
Typically, we describe
the contents of a prayer should consist of:
i.
Adoration –
praising God. As Jesus began
teaching how to prayer, the first thing mentioned is
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be
Your name.” God is
praised for His greatness. I
would do us well to remember this both in our public and private
prayers. Most prayers
include requests of God for help in our lives and our concern for
others. BEFORE making these
requests, adoration REMINDS you WHO you are addressing.
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”
(Ephesians 3:14–15)
When Peter was released from prison, the disciples prayed to God.
They began, “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the
sea, and all that is in them…” (Acts 4:24-26)
In our study of the psalms we find constant praise directed toward Him.
ii.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
– there should also in our prayers be an acknowledgement of His will
being accomplished. A
reminder to us that even though we have petitions for Him, we will
accept His answer. Consider
Jesus in the garden!
iii.
Give us this day our daily bread
– here we find the supplications and intercessions.
WE have needs and we turn to Him with our needs.
Note the “us” which means we have concerns for others as well.
iv.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive…
- Confession is a purpose of prayer for the Christian.
1 John 1:9 calls for us to confess our sins and they will be
forgiven.
We also find here the godly attitude we ought to possess.
v.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil –
more supplications and
intercessions – this time spiritual.
Let us remind ourselves to consider our spiritual needs, perhaps
even more than our physical needs – 1 Tim. 4:8 – bodily exercise profits
little.
vi.
Thanksgiving – not directly mentioned by our Lord in His example, but we have already
seen the need for gratitude.
vii.
For Yours is the kingdom… - again we have submission to His will
viii.
Amen – so
be it.
a.
God wants us to pray to Him – that is overwhelmingly demonstrated in scripture.
i.
He provided this way for
us to approach Him – 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 4:14-16
ii.
He wants us to turn to
Him – 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares upon Him.
b.
Importance
– we have seen how important it is.
We are told in James 5:16 that the effective, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much.
The relationship between prayer and the strength of one’s faith cannot
be overemphasized. As one
man said a number of years ago, “7 days without prayer makes one WEAK.”
Prayer does so many things for yourself and for others.
c.
Commanded –
1 Thess. 5:17 – “pray without ceasing
Rom. 12:12 – continuing steadfastly in prayer (Col. 4:2)
Ephesians 6:18 – as a part of our “spiritual armor” we are to be
“praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit.”
Luke 18:1, Jesus taught a parable about how “men always ought to pray
and not lose heart.”
You CANNOT obey God if you don’t spend some time with Him in prayer.