Prayer – “Communication and Communion with God” Basic Truths God wants His People to Know, Part 4b By Pastor Dan Kennedy © February 25, 2018 www.pastorkennedy.com Prayer is a natural part of every human being. Speaking with God should be just as natural as breathing… (if you are in the right relationship with Him). If you don’t have a true relationship with God, that can be another story. What if you were God’s Enemy? Enemies of God, Don’t Pray to God What would happen if you were God’s enemy and you knew that God was Someone who could uncover your deepest hidden pet sins and judge you for your rejection of Christ and your constantly choosing to silently or noisily disregard and trample on what God wanted?   For using His Name as your favorite curse word?  For avoiding any close association with Him and consistently denying Him around your friends?  Would wanting to talk with God be coveted and inspiring, or could it be downright nerve-racking and frightening… something to be avoided?   Do God’s adversaries want to spend their time talking to Him as if they were close friends who loved each other deeply?  Remember Adam and Eve? Remember when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden? How did they feel after they had sinned against God and heard Him walking to meet them in the Garden that evening? They Hid. They did not want to see God or talk to Him! Something was terribly wrong. Their relationship with God had been broken…something ominous permeated the pristine air. What is the most convenient thing to do if one has an adversarial relationship with God? Deny, Deny, Deny – Deny God a prominent place in our life, and then deny He exists altogether. If such a person, frustrated and angry with the Creator, the God of Heaven (YHWH – Yahweh), who will not condone their sin, and finds another supernatural deity who will give them pleasure, power and perceived success, without the restrictions of original conscience, they will yield themselves to serve that god. Prayer Façades Really Don’t Work when Praying to God Oh, we might pray to keep up a good impression or a nice façade in front of others; but, the depth of our relationship with God might be super thin. Shouldn’t we know that God is quite aware of that too; after all, isn’t our prayer supposed to be to Him? Luke 21:34–36 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” When one has a positive and growing relationship with God, everything can be different! What a blessed necessity it is to communicate with God! What a joy it is to talk with Him! After all, Prayer is the universal language of the human spirit and soul. Prayer is the communication that human beings have with God…Prayer is a conversation that can be shallow, or a communion that can be very profound. What is Prayer to you? All World Religions have Various Forms of Prayer In other religions of the world forms of prayer are vital for the perpetuation of each religion’s faith. Every religion of the world promotes special ways to communicate with the supernatural deity or deities undergirding their religion’s strength. Powerful supernatural spiritual forces have the need and desire to be prayed to and worshipped, because each wants to be supreme and supersede God. There are prayer wheels, prayer beads, calls to prayer, prayer incense, specific chants for prayer, prayers to various saints, prayers to ancestors, prayer shrines, and idols to which prayer is given, etc. Prayer is universal, but all prayer is not directed to the God of Heaven. Prayer to Our God Permeates the Bible Prayer is God’s primary means for human beings to directly communicate and worship Him. Prayer in the Old Testament is Illustrated through the Temple Altar of Incense The Old Testament gives a fragrant yet pungent dimension of prayer through the Altar of Incense and the censers used in the Tabernacle and Temple ceremonies. (Ex. 30:7-10; Lev. 16) Prayer is a Pleasing Fragrance honoring God, as was the Altar of Incense, overcoming the harsh odors and daily realities of Temple sacrifice  o At the Temple dedication Solomon offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats – the meat of which would be distributed to the Israelites who gathered for this great occasion (1 Kings 8:63). Can you imagine the thousands of priests necessary and the environment permeating the temple for such special massive offerings of sacrifice – and for the continuing daily sacrifices? And…there was the Altar of Incense prevailing before the Holy of Holies. o Prayer also overcomes harsh realities and anxieties that today may flood into our daily lives Our Prayers are Incense, in God’s Heavenly Temple  o Our Prayers are a Pungent Reminder Reaffirming the Necessity of the Breaking of the Seals of God’s Wrath The Opening of the Seven Seals of God’s End Time’s Judgment on the Earth Revelation 5:6–8 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer Revelation 8:1–5 8 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. There are many examples of Prayer in the Old Testament, from the Temple to the Prophets Prayer, particularly in the Psalms, Underscores Worship and Praise to God  Prayer is an Entreaty for Pardon and Forgiveness  o Notably, by David in Psalm 51, to Evil King Manassah’s plea for forgiveness in 2 Chronicles 33:10-13, etc. (see ENDNOTES) For Peace (for Jerusalem Ps. 122:6, and in exile – Jeremiah 21:7, etc.)  For Provision (Hannah’s prayer for a son – 1 Samuel 1:9–17, etc.)  For Protection (The fiery angelic host surrounding the Aramean army – 2 Kings 6:8–20, etc.)  Prayer also Permeates the New Testament in New Ways: The Messiah, and The Holy Spirit Jesus Taught His Disciples How to Pray Matthew 6:5–15 God Sees You  God Hears You  God Comprehends the Issues of Your Heart that Keep Your Prayers Unanswered  God Sees You  Don’t Be Like the Hypocrites they like to be seen by men (Matt. 6:5) 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Pray to the Unseen One, Who Truly Sees (Matt. 6:6) 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. God Hears You  Don’t Keep Babbling On (Matt. 6:7-8) (This is Different than “Persistence in Prayer”) 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is How you should Pray (see also Luke 11:2-4) 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘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 today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Aspects of the Traditional “Lord’s Prayer” Who do we Pray To? Our Father, which art in heaven,  Respect: Hallowed be Thy Name.  Submission: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Request: Give us this day our daily bread.  Forgiveness: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us.   Temptation: And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.   Honor: For Thine is The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory, for ever and ever.   Amen. We have an easier way to remember key aspects of Christ’s model prayer through the acrostic: ACTS Adoration “God is Holy, so we worship” Confession “God is Merciful, so we repent” Thanksgiving “God is Gracious, so we express appreciation” Supplication “God is Loving and Caring, so we petition Him for ourselves, for our family, our friends, and our world!” “God not only has spoken, He Listens.” – David Mathis God Comprehends the Issues of Your Heart that Keep Your Prayers Unanswered  A Key Issue is Forgiveness Matt. 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Jesus Gave His Disciples Parables Regarding Persistent Prayer Luke 18:1–8 The Parable of the Persistent Widow 18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 11:5–13 The Parable of the Persistent Friend 5 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” It is hard for us to comprehend the breadth of the profound dynamic of prayer, because it also includes Christ’s Intercession for us as our heavenly High Priest (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:24-25), together with the work here on earth through the individual, intense intercession of His Holy Spirit, in the lives of each Believer. The Holy Spirit and Prayer The Holy Spirit’s Coming at Pentecost brought a more complete aspect to the dynamic of Prayer since He now resides in those who are the Children of God (1 Cor. 6:19) Romans 8:26–28 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. We have talked about prayer in the Old Testament and through the teaching of the Messiah and the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, so let’s look at a few verses the Apostles give us on Prayer! The Apostle Paul’s Encouragement in Prayer Match the Following from Romans 12:12  Be Joyful in______, Be Patient in_________, & Be Faithful in_________ Romans 12:12 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. What does the Scripture say we should do rather than being Anxious? Philippians 4:6 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Ephesians 6:10-17 Reminds us to Put On God’s Armor. What does verse 18 tell us to do? - “Pray in the Spirit” When should we pray? - “On all Occasions”  With what kind of requests? - “With all kinds of prayers and requests”  Ephesians 6:16–18 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. What Three Attitudes does Colossians 4:2 prompt us to have in our Prayers? Devoted (continued/steadfast),   Watchful (vigilant/alert)   Thankfulness in Prayer  Colossians 4:2 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 the Apostle Paul gives Timothy a Scriptural Prayer List Who does Paul generally tell Timothy to Pray for first? – Everyone God prompts us to pray for in our sphere of influence Who else should be on our prayer list? – Government leaders and all those in authority. Why should we pray for government officials? – So we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness Why does this please God our Savior? – Because God wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth! 1 Timothy 2:1–4 2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. The Apostle James’ Encouragement in Prayer James 5:13–18 Instructs us to Pray in Faith If you are in trouble   If you are sick   If you have sinned   If God has prompted and empowered you beyond your ability (as Elijah did)  James 5:13–18 13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. Prayer is an exceedingly important part in the life of a Christian! The Scripture reveals prayer as a dynamic unparalleled in our communication and communion with God. Spiritual growth and spiritual life are intertwined with our hearing from God through His Word, by His Holy Spirit, and our communing with Him through prayer. “The Lord’s Prayer” Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. _____________________ ENDNOTES God is Attentive to the Prayers of the Righteous 1 Peter 3:10–12 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (see Psalm 34:12-16) Prayer is Hope in God Psalm 39:7–8 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. Psalm 25:4–5 4 Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 31:24 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 42:5 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 33:17–22 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Notable Prayer for Forgiveness in the Old Testament 2 Chronicles 33:10–13 10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. Psalm 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Hanna’s Prayer for a Child 1 Samuel 1:9–17 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” God’s Notable Protection and Provision for Elisha 2 Kings 6:8–20 8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” 9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” 12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” 13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. … Elijah’s Prayer on Mt. Carmel 1 Kings 18:20–40 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” 25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “O Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” 34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord

Prayer – “Communication and Communion with God”

Basic Truths God wants His People to Know, Part 4b

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Prayer is a natural part of every human being.

Speaking with God should be just as natural as breathing… (if you are in the right relationship with Him). If you don’t have a true relationship with God, that can be another story. What if you were God’s Enemy?

Enemies of God, Don’t Pray to God

•What would happen if you were God’s enemy and you knew that God was Someone who could uncover your deepest hidden pet sins and judge you for your rejection of Christ and your constantly choosing to silently or noisily disregard and trample on what God wanted?
•For using His Name as your favorite curse word?
•For avoiding any close association with Him and consistently denying Him around your friends?
•Would wanting to talk with God be coveted and inspiring, or could it be downright nerve-racking and frightening… something to be avoided?
•Do God’s adversaries want to spend their time talking to Him as if they were close friends who loved each other deeply?

Remember Adam and Eve?

Remember when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden? How did they feel after they had sinned against God and heard Him walking to meet them in the Garden that evening?

They Hid. They did not want to see God or talk to Him! Something was terribly wrong. Their relationship with God had been broken…something ominous permeated the pristine air.

What is the most convenient thing to do if one has an adversarial relationship with God? Deny, Deny, Deny – Deny God a prominent place in our life, and then deny He exists altogether.

If such a person, frustrated and angry with the Creator, the God of Heaven (YHWH – Yahweh), who will not condone their sin, and finds another supernatural deity who will give them pleasure, power and perceived success, without the restrictions of original conscience, they will yield themselves to serve that god.

Prayer Façades Really Don’t Work when Praying to God

Oh, we might pray to keep up a good impression or a nice façade in front of others; but, the depth of our relationship with God might be super thin. Shouldn’t we know that God is quite aware of that too; after all, isn’t our prayer supposed to be to Him?

Luke 21:34–36

34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

When one has a positive and growing relationship with God, everything can be different! What a blessed necessity it is to communicate with God!

What a joy it is to talk with Him!

After all, Prayer is the universal language of the human spirit and soul. Prayer is the communication that human beings have with God…Prayer is a conversation that can be shallow, or a communion that can be very profound.

What is Prayer to you?

All World Religions have Various Forms of Prayer

In other religions of the world forms of prayer are vital for the perpetuation of each religion’s faith. Every religion of the world promotes special ways to communicate with the supernatural deity or deities undergirding their religion’s strength. Powerful supernatural spiritual forces have the need and desire to be prayed to and worshipped, because each wants to be supreme and supersede God.

There are prayer wheels, prayer beads, calls to prayer, prayer incense, specific chants for prayer, prayers to various saints, prayers to ancestors, prayer shrines, and idols to which prayer is given, etc.

Prayer is universal, but all prayer is not directed to the God of Heaven.

Prayer to Our God Permeates the Bible

Prayer is God’s primary means for human beings to directly communicate and worship Him.

Prayer in the Old Testament is Illustrated through the Temple Altar of Incense

The Old Testament gives a fragrant yet pungent dimension of prayer through the Altar of Incense and the censers used in the Tabernacle and Temple ceremonies. (Ex. 30:7-10; Lev. 16)

•Prayer is a Pleasing Fragrance honoring God, as was the Altar of Incense, overcoming the harsh odors and daily realities of Temple sacrifice

oAt the Temple dedication Solomon offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats – the meat of which would be distributed to the Israelites who gathered for this great occasion (1 Kings 8:63). Can you imagine the thousands of priests necessary and the environment permeating the temple for such special massive offerings of sacrifice – and for the continuing daily sacrifices? And…there was the Altar of Incense prevailing before the Holy of Holies.

oPrayer also overcomes harsh realities and anxieties that today may flood into our daily lives

•Our Prayers are Incense, in God’s Heavenly Temple

oOur Prayers are a Pungent Reminder Reaffirming the Necessity of the Breaking of the Seals of God’s Wrath

The Opening of the Seven Seals of God’s End Time’s Judgment on the Earth

Revelation 5:6–8

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

Revelation 8:1–5

8 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

There are many examples of Prayer in the Old Testament, from the Temple to the Prophets

•Prayer, particularly in the Psalms, Underscores Worship and Praise to God
•Prayer is an Entreaty for Pardon and Forgiveness

oNotably, by David in Psalm 51, to Evil King Manassah’s plea for forgiveness in 2 Chronicles 33:10-13, etc. (see ENDNOTES)

•For Peace (for Jerusalem Ps. 122:6, and in exile – Jeremiah 21:7, etc.)
•For Provision (Hannah’s prayer for a son – 1 Samuel 1:9–17, etc.)
•For Protection (The fiery angelic host surrounding the Aramean army – 2 Kings 6:8–20, etc.)

Prayer also Permeates the New Testament in New Ways:

The Messiah, and The Holy Spirit

Jesus Taught His Disciples How to Pray

Matthew 6:5–15

•God Sees You
•God Hears You
•God Comprehends the Issues of Your Heart that Keep Your Prayers Unanswered
•God Sees You

Don’t Be Like the Hypocrites they like to be seen by men (Matt. 6:5)

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Pray to the Unseen One, Who Truly Sees (Matt. 6:6)

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

•God Hears You

Don’t Keep Babbling On (Matt. 6:7-8) (This is Different than “Persistence in Prayer”)

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This is How you should Pray (see also Luke 11:2-4)

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘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 today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’

Aspects of the Traditional “Lord’s Prayer”

•Who do we Pray To? Our Father, which art in heaven,
•Respect: Hallowed be Thy Name.
•Submission: Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
•Request: Give us this day our daily bread.
•Forgiveness: And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us.
•Temptation: And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
•Honor: For Thine is The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

We have an easier way to remember key aspects of Christ’s model prayer through the acrostic: ACTS

Adoration“God is Holy, so we worship”

Confession“God is Merciful, so we repent”

Thanksgiving“God is Gracious, so we express appreciation”

Supplication“God is Loving and Caring, so we petition Him for

ourselves, for our family, our friends, and our world!”

“God not only has spoken, He Listens.” – David Mathis

•God Comprehends the Issues of Your Heart that Keep Your Prayers Unanswered

A Key Issue is Forgiveness

Matt. 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Jesus Gave His Disciples Parables Regarding Persistent Prayer

Luke 18:1–8

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ ”

6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Luke 11:5–13

The Parable of the Persistent Friend

5 Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’

7 “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

It is hard for us to comprehend the breadth of the profound dynamic of prayer, because it also includes Christ’s Intercession for us as our heavenly High Priest (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 4:14-16; 7:24-25), together with the work here on earth through the individual, intense intercession of His Holy Spirit, in the lives of each Believer.

The Holy Spirit and Prayer

The Holy Spirit’s Coming at Pentecost brought a more complete aspect to the dynamic of Prayer since He now resides in those who are the Children of God (1 Cor. 6:19)

Romans 8:26–28

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

We have talked about prayer in the Old Testament and through the teaching of the Messiah and the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, so let’s look at a few verses the Apostles give us on Prayer!

The Apostle Paul’s Encouragement in Prayer

•Match the Following from Romans 12:12

Be Joyful in______, Be Patient in_________, & Be Faithful in_________

Romans 12:12

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

What does the Scripture say we should do rather than being Anxious?

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 Reminds us to Put On God’s Armor. What does verse 18 tell us to do? - “Pray in the Spirit”

•When should we pray? - “On all Occasions”
•With what kind of requests? - “With all kinds of prayers and requests”

Ephesians 6:16–18

16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

What Three Attitudes does Colossians 4:2 prompt us to have in our Prayers?

•Devoted (continued/steadfast),
•Watchful (vigilant/alert)
•Thankfulness in Prayer

Colossians 4:2

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 the Apostle Paul gives Timothy a Scriptural Prayer List

•Who does Paul generally tell Timothy to Pray for first?

– Everyone God prompts us to pray for in our sphere of influence

•Who else should be on our prayer list?

– Government leaders and all those in authority.

•Why should we pray for government officials?

– So we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness

•Why does this please God our Savior?

– Because God wants everyone to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth!

1 Timothy 2:1–4

2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

The Apostle James’ Encouragement in Prayer

James 5:13–18 Instructs us to Pray in Faith

•If you are in trouble
•If you are sick
•If you have sinned
•If God has prompted and empowered you beyond your ability (as Elijah did)

James 5:13–18

13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Prayer is an exceedingly important part in the life of a Christian! The Scripture reveals prayer as a dynamic unparalleled in our communication and communion with God.

Spiritual growth and spiritual life are intertwined with our hearing from God through His Word, by His Holy Spirit, and our communing with Him through prayer.

“The Lord’s Prayer”

Our Father, which art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy Kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth,

As it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

The power, and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen.

_____________________

ENDNOTES

God is Attentive to the Prayers of the Righteous

1 Peter 3:10–12

10 For,

“Whoever would love life

and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;

he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (see Psalm 34:12-16)

Prayer is Hope in God

Psalm 39:7–8

7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?

My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;

do not make me the scorn of fools.

Psalm 25:4–5

4 Show me your ways, O Lord,

teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 31:24

24 Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalm 42:5

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.

Psalm 33:17–22

17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death

and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Notable Prayer for Forgiveness in the Old Testament

2 Chronicles 33:10–13

10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;

you teach me wisdom

in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

Hanna’s Prayer for a Child

1 Samuel 1:9–17

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.”

15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

God’s Notable Protection and Provision for Elisha

2 Kings 6:8–20

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. …

Elijah’s Prayer on Mt. Carmel

1 Kings 18:20–40

20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it.

Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “O Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which was in ruins. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”