PRAYER

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Prayer is the essential element of Christian character which is lacking in most believers today. One reason for this is that prayer is misunderstood. Prayer is mostly thought of as asking and receiving. It is that; however, it is much more. We fail to see the value of prayer as communion with our God (Is. 43:21, 22; 64:6,7 R.V.; Zeph. 1:46; Dan. 9:13,14 with Hos.7:13, 14; 8:13, 14).

A. Affirmation.

1. It Is Sin to Neglect Prayer.

“As for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way” (I Sam. 12:23).

2. It Is Appointed by God.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:7-11).

3. It Is Commanded by God.

“Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17). “Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2, R.V. ).

4. It Is Necessary to Ask.

“Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2c).

B. Delineation.

1. Abraham Prays for Sodom (Gen. 18).
   2. Jacob Prays the First Personal Prayer (Gen. 32:9-12). See other personal prayers (Deut. 26:1-16; Ex. 5:22). 
  3. Joshua and Judges Cry Unto the Lord (Josh. 7:6-9; Judg. 10:14).
   4. Samuel Prays As an Intercessor (I Sam 7:5, 12). 
  5. David Prays With Thanksgiving (II Sam. 7). 
  6. Believers Pour Out Their Hearts to God (Ps. 42:4; 62:8).
 

1. Presbyterian Catechism.

“Prayer is the offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to His will in the name of Christ with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of his mercy.”

2. Scriptural Definition.

a. As a Child Going to the Father.

“Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15).

b. As a Child Crying to the Father.

“Lord. what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).

c. As a Child Desiring to Be With the Father.

“Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested” (I Chron. 4:10).

d. As a Child Petitioning the Father.

“When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they should pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: then hear thou in heaven” (I Kings 8:35, 36).

e. As a Child Asking Intercession of the Father.

“When he had taken the book, the beast and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8). See also Revelation 8:34.

f. As a Child Waiting in Silence Before God.

“LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear” (Ps. 10:17).

3. Human Experience.

By this we mean that the saints of God have found these truths through prayer

b. It Is Laborious in Its Task

(Col. 4:12). 

D. Stimulation.

4. The Confidence of Access Through Jesus Christ.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in fulness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience: and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:19-22, R.V.).

5. The Assurance of Help by the Holy Spirit.

“The Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).

6. The Revelation of God by Christ.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18).

7. The Limitless Supply of Grace in Christ.

“My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

8. The Unlimited Possibility of Faith.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

9. The Abundant Ability of God.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory” (Eph. 3:20).

E. Illustration.

1. Abraham Interceding for Sodom (Gen. 18:22, 23; 19:29).
   2. Prayer of Abraham’s Servant (Gen. 24:12). 
  3. Personal Prayer of Jacob (Gen. 32:9-12).
   4. Moses’ Intercession for Israel (Ex. 32:11-14, 30-34; Num. 14:11-21).
   5. Samuel Interceding for King and People (I Sam. 12:6-25).
   6. Elijah Praying for Fire and Water (I Kings 18:25-41; James 5:17, 18).
   7. Nehemiah’s Prayer for Jerusalem (Neh. 2:4).
   8. Joshua’s Prayer for Discernment (Josh. 7:7-9).
   9. Samson’s Prayer for Renewed Strength (Judg. 16:28). 
  10. Hannah’s Prayer for a Child (I Sam. 1:10, 11). 
  11. David’s Prayer of Penitence (Ps. 51).
   12. Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom (I Kings 3:5-9). 
  13. Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication (I Kings 8:25-53). 
  14, Jonah’s Prayer for Deliverance (Jonah 2). 
  15. Habakkuk’s Prayer of Praise (Hab. 3).
   16. Paul’s Intercession for the Saints (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Col. 1:9-14).
   17. The Malefactor’s Prayer for Forgiveness (Luke 23: 42, 43).
   18. Stephen’s Prayer of Submission (Acts 7:59, 60).
   19. The Lord Jesus’ Prayer for Strength (Matt. 26:27-46).
  20. The Bible’s Last Prayer (Rev. 22:20).

1. As to the Posture of the Body.

There is much supposition concerning the posture of the body while in prayer. Some contend that prayer is not prayer unless one is on his knees, believing it to be blasphemous to pray while walking, and the like. According to the following Scriptures there is no set rule as to the position of the body in prayer:

a. Christ on His Face.

“He went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39).

b. Solomon on His Knees.

“It was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven” (I Kings 8:54).

c. Peter on the Water.

“Lord, save me” (Matt. 14:30c).

d. Thief on the Cross.

“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

e. Elijah With Face Between His Knees.

“So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees” (I Kings 18:42).

f. David on His Bed.

“I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears” (Ps. 6:6).

2. As to Time.

Many poems have been written suggesting the time to pray. We do know that the Christian should select a time when it is the most convenient for him to be alone with the Lord. Here again there is no regulation stipulated. Notice the following examples:

a. Daniel:

Three Times a Day. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime” (Dan. 6:10).

b. Christ:

Early in the Morning. “In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35).

c. Peter and John:

Hour of Prayer (3 P.M.). “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1).

3. As to Place.

Where is the place God meets man today? The Lord Jesus said, “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. . . . But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:21, 23). Here, too, we see that no definite place is commanded:

a. Christ in the Garden:

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and said unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matt. 26:36).

b. Christ on the Grass.

“He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matt. 14:19).

c. Christ on a Mountain.

“It came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).

d. Paul in a Storm on Board Ship (Acts 27).

Where is the place the Christian should pray? Christ said, “Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father, which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:6). Where is the closet, and how may one close the door? The closet is any place where the believer may closet himself from the outside world. It may be on a bus, walking on the street, or it may be in a closed room. It is a place where he and God are alone together.

G. Conditions.

What will it take to get our prayers answered? The Christian is one who asks to receive. The following truths guarantee answers to prayer.

1. Confidence.

“Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb.11:6).

2. Earnestness.

“I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). Ask: Matthew 7:7; seek: James 5:17; knock: Acts 12:5.

3. Definiteness.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good gifts to them that ask him” (Matt. 7:11).

4. Persistence.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). See also Luke 18:1-8.

5. Faith.

“I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).

6. Submission.

“This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him” (I John 5:14, 15). When we ask according to His will, then two have agreed, thus assuring that prayer will be answered. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).

H. Limitation.

1. Through Spiritual Profanation.

This is well illustrated in the life of Esau. Paul bids us to look diligently “lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears” (Heb. 12:16, 17). Esau gave away the blessings that went with the birthright. That which he sold was gone forever. In the Christian life lost days and lost opportunities are gone. Yesterday is gone forever.

2. Through Judicial Penalties.

“Speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols” (Ezek. 14:4). See also Deuteronomy 3:25-27; Jeremiah 15:1.

3. Through Lack of Action.

“The LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Ex. 14:15). To be sure there is a time to “stand still and see the salvation of the LORD,” but there is also the time to go forward.

4. Through Insincerity.

“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are, for they love to pray standing in the synagogue and in the corner of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matt. 6:5).

5. Through Carnal Motives.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lust” (Jas. 4:3).

6. Through Unbelief.

“Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord” (Jas. 1:6, 7).

7. Through Cherished Sin.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Ps. 66:18).

8. Through Failure to Ask.

“Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2c). Some find a conflict with the above verse and Matthew 6:8: “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” They reason that if the Father knows what we have need of, why then should they pray? This has hurt the prayer life of many Christians. It should not. It is true that our Father knows everything we have need of; if He didn’t He would not be God. His knowledge, however, is not a guarantee that we shall have the needed things: “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” Yes, the Father knows what we need, but we have to pray for it. We are warned, nevertheless, that we cannot fool God and ask for things we do not need.

I. Mediation.

“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2:5). “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Eph. 3:12). See also John 16:24-26, “Through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph. 2:18). This is the Scriptural formula for the presentation of prayers: To the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. Prayers should contain the following:

1. Adoration.
  2. Thanksgiving. 
3. Confession. 
4. Supplication.
  5. Intercession.

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