Category: Prayer

Another important aspect of our collective worship is the offering up of prayers. It is evident in examining the practice of prayer that God expects it. Like with singing, no prohibitions are given regarding time or place. We are told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). We have examples of Jesus praying in solitude (cf. Luke 5:16), and are instructed in the practice of solitary prayer ourselves (cf. Matthew 6:5-6).

We are also given examples of Christians praying together. In Acts 12, we find Peter to have been imprisoned. With the help of God he escaped, and went to his brethren. “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying” (12). Continue reading “Corporate Worship: Praying” →

Paul uses Christ’s position as the Christian’s High Priest to encourage faithfulness to God. The points are these:

Jesus has passed through the heavens. This references His leaving the earth to return to God’s right hand, receiving His exaltation. He is the Son of God. (This declaration is another indicating His divine nature, as it makes Him equal to His Father). See John 5:18.

His efficacy as High Priest comes not only because of His deity, but also because of His humanity. As a man he was tempted as we are, so He can sympathize with us as we pray. We note that Jesus did not sin, but that does not indicate anything other than his strength and righteousness. He was a man with the same physical frailties and desires as our own. Temptations were suffered by Him, (cf. Matthew 4:1-11) and yet He did not sin.

These truths are why we may be confident of Jesus as our mediator. This is why the Hebrew writer called upon his readers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (16). Praise God for sending His Son to earth for us!

Psalm 46:10 states, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The sentiment (as it relates to our understanding of God) is stated in two other Psalms. The first follows an admonition against anger in Psalm 4:4. Instead, we are told to “…Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” The second follows an acknowledgment of divine judgement on the earth in Psalm 76:8, “…The earth feared and was still.”

God is great. He is preeminent in the universe. This is not merely a reference to His position. It relates as well to our responsibility before Him. He is God. The Son is our Lord and Savior. A way to ensure our acquiescence to Him is to take time to “be still.”

What happens in stillness? As stated in Psalm 4:4 we have opportunity to meditate. 1) Meditate on our actions, and whether we are truly following His will in our lives. 2) Stillness is associated with respect.  The stillness of the earth was the acknowledgment that the Creator had acted. We are to fear God. This fear indicates awe and respect. If we are too busy for God, we are too busy! Take time everyday to consider Him!  3) Stillness is an opportunity for prayer. Go to your “closet”, and in such privacy make yourself known to God!

Here Paul makes two specific requests.  He says, “I desire”, or “I will” (KJV). (A third request for the women will be seen in a treatment of verses 11-15).

The first desire is for the men to pray (8). The prayers are to be holy, not corrupt or outside of God’s will. The one who is to pray is to do so without wrath (an impulse of anger) and without doubt (something Jesus acknowledged as problematic numerous times).  Wrathful pray is a violation of God’s call to love one another; Doubting prayer shows a lack of faith in the Almighty.

The second prayer had to do with the dress and demeanor of women. The word modest (kosmios) means orderly, well-arranged, decent.  A woman can violate this by being too ostentatious in dress, or by dressing sensuously (the common use of modesty in our culture). The dress that is appropriate is the dress that coincides with the woman’s profession as a Christian.  It is holy dress, bringing light to the world.

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian’s daily life. It has been said that the Bible is how God communicates to mankind, and prayer is how mankind communicates with God. It is through prayer that we praise God, we let God know of our needs, we intercede to Him on behalf of our fellow man, and we petition Him through the mediation of His Son. God expects, and requires such communication on our part. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The book of Revelation has an interesting description of heaven with a mention of the prayers of the saints, in Revelation 5:8. The description is of God’s throne, with the Almighty at the center of all creation. Paul describes the moment the Lamb (God’s Son) takes a scroll depicting the Father’s will for man. “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Truly our prayers are taken to the very presence of God and our petitions to Him are heard. As we contemplate our imperative to love one another, it is difficult to think of any better way to practice that love than praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ to the Heavenly Father. Continue reading “(8 of 13) Praying for Each Other” →

Among Paul’s final exhortations to the Colossians in 4:2 he wrote, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” This reminds us of both the importance of our petitions, and the proper characteristic that should accompany them.

Vigilance is a virtue in prayer. He hears and answers our prayers in His own time. Our continued petitions and willingness to trust in Him as time passes indicates the degree of our faith. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” (Luke 18:7 ).

Earnest prayer pleases God. The word is tied in to the Greek word translated continue. Constant prayer should not be ritualistic or empty, it should happen due to our true conviction in its effective nature. As James said about the one who doubts, “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:7-8).

Thanksgiving is the final consideration by Paul. This is something fathers want from their children.  It is a sign of character, not to take for granted what has been graciously supplied. In scripture, God commands it! “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In Nehemiah 2, we read of a conversation Nehemiah had with Artarxerxes, king of Persia. The work of rebuilding Jerusalem was not progressing, and Nehemiah was mourning the state of ruin the city and temple were in. His sadness was one he could not hide from the king. Presenting such sadness before the king was dangerous, and Nehemiah confessed, “So I became dreadfully afraid” (2:2).

The interesting verse is 4.  “Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven.” I have no doubt his prayer to God was a simple and quick one. It would be foolish to keep the king waiting. This did not preclude the prayer itself. Nehemiah felt the need to appeal to God before he appealed to the king. His prayer and request to Artexerxes was granted, and Nehemiah became a great leader of the Jews, overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Lord’s house. At the end of the book we find him praying to God again, “Remember me, O my God, for good!” (13:31). Continue reading “Two Prayers of Mourning” →

The book of Nehemiah describes an interesting day in the lives of the remnant who returned to Jerusalem out of Babylonian captivity. The wall protecting the city had been finished, and the Jews had gathered at Jerusalem. Chapter 8 relates a reading of the law by Ezra, followed by the keeping of the Feast of Tabernacles. Chapter 9 picks up the narrative. The children assembled on the twenty-fourth day of the month and fasted “in sackcloth, and with dust on their heads” (1). These were signs of mourning as the sins of Israel weighed heavily upon the people as they woke spiritually. Verse 2 says, “Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.”

For a quarter of the day they read from God’s law. Another fourth was taken up in their confession of sin and worship to God. After half the day was over the Levites addressed the assembly, sharing the history of Israel.  They emphasized God’s graciousness despite the consistent rebellion of the people which led to their demise as a sovereign nation. I would suggest a reading of the address in verses 5-38 of the chapter. Continue reading “The Confession of Sin” →

The common characteristic of men who pleased God in the Bible is the devotion they showed to God. For example, Abraham’s son Isaac, “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening…” (Genesis 24:63). Or, David’s practice of prayer and meditation. “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6). Our greatest example, the Lord Himself, customarily sought solitary places at times where he could immerse Himself in His devotions to His Father. “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35).

While I am typically unimpressed with the books and helps that are supposed to facilitate “devotional time”, the private efforts to focus our minds on prayer, meditation, and Bible reading are a laudable endeavors. Those who seek to draw near to God are successful! As David told his son Solomon, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9). God wants this closeness, but it takes effort on the part of man to obtain it. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). Continue reading “A Life of Devotion” →

Among the instructions Paul gave to the church in Colossae was the need for prayer. He wrote, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4).

Persistence in prayer is a teaching consistently emphasized in scripture. One example of this is a parable Jesus taught, recorded by Luke in his gospel. It is commonly called the Parable of the Persistent Widow. A woman makes an appeal to an unjust judge who initially had no desire to help her, but because of her persistent petitions, was eventually moved to do as she asked. “…He said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’  Then the Lord said, ’Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily’” (Luke 18:4-8). Continue reading “Continue Earnestly in Prayer” →

In life, catastrophes and trials happen often. One argument skeptics make: “If God is good, why do these things happen?” We seek to answer this question, and point out what we can do to help.

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Paul wrote a test in 1 Timothy 2 that is no doubt familiar to many:

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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ).

The passage establishes several truths.  First, we are to pray for others.  These prayers are divided up into supplications (asking God to fill a need), intercessions (petitions made on behalf of), and giving of thanks (thanking God for the express blessings that come from any particular individual). Continue reading “God’s Pleasure in Our Prayers” →

Paul wrote to the Colossians about prayer, asking for their prayers personally, “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).

However, his thoughts on prayer teach us a few important things, that are worth examining beyond Paul’s personal benefits from such intercessions.  First, there is the phrase, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…” (4:2).  The idea of continuing in prayer, and the idea of vigilance is important when making petitions to God.  He loves us!  The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us this. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?”  We need to understand the importance and efficacy of prayer, and not to be discouraged if our petitions are not answered by Him immediately. It comes in His time.

Second, we can’t emphasis too greatly the importance of offering thanks to God. “…being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (4:2). Christ illustrated the importance of thanksgiving in his words about the lepers He healed.  “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

God deserves vigilant prayer with thanksgiving!  Heed Paul’s words!

These two verses constitute a prayer, a petition made to God by Paul on behalf of the Thessalonians.  The first verse of the prayer is an identification of God.  The second verse of the prayer is the petition made.

Regarding the identification made, it is interesting that Jesus Christ is first mentioned, then the Father.  Nothing else should be ascertained about this, other than the fact that the Father and the Son are so unified in their work and desires (cf. John 17) that there is no great significance in their order or appearance.

Regardless, God loves us, and by His Son He saved us, giving us consolation and hope by the extension of His grace.

Now about the petition.  It was Paul’s desire that God comfort them. In other words, that the same consolation and hope would continue, and work in them. Paul desired that God would establish them (in every good word and work, cf. Ephesians 2:10). They would be persecuted and harmed from without and within. With God’s help their faith would not waver.

The Bible indeed teaches that we must receive the gift of God’s grace to be saved. How do we receive it? Scripture reveals that it IS NOT by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer.”

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