Lesson 7: The Prayer-Filled Life (Part 1) Praying Biblically and Effectively Introduction One of my favorite portions of the Bible is Psalm 119. One reason is that in these 176 verses, the Psalmist points us to the irreducible. By this I mean he focuses on the two most basic elements of our spiritual lifeùthe Word and prayer. Just a casual reading of this Psalm shows this, but note the following facts: Except for verses 1-3 and 115, every other verse (172 verses) is a form of prayer addressed to the Lord. It provides us with a marvelous illustration of how to pray. In addition, the Psalmist uses ten different terms for the Word of God and all but verses 90, 122, and 132 mention at least one of these terms. The large number of terms is designed to call our attention to the sufficiency of GodÆs Word and the number of ways God has designed it to meet our needs. Most study Bibles give a list of these with a basic explanation of each term in the footnotes to this Psalm. Psalm 119 teaches us the truth that, regardless of what life brings, God has given us two sources that are totally sufficient and contain everything we need: (a) We have GodÆs holy Word that gives us wisdom from God, and (b) we have the awesome privilege of prayer that brings the power of God into oneÆs life for strength, courage, endurance, and deliverance along with spiritual growth and change. Further, the Psalmist teaches us that the Word and prayer are like inseparable twins because, as the Word reveals God, His all-sufficiency, infinite goodness, love, mercy, and grace, it also reveals man in his insufficiency and total need. But in the process of this, God also offers man the opportunity (through His revealed plan of salvation in the Savior) to come humbly to Him in prayer for His direction and supply. As I read this Psalm, I am further challenged by some other observations. First there is the way the Psalmist consistently turned his focus on the Lord rather than the problem he was facing at any given time, regardless of its nature. A second observation is his constant dependence on God to answer (lead, direct, sustain, deliver, etc.), but never just according to his own personal desires or wants. His prayer was that God would answer according to His Word. Let me illustrate: First, in at least fifteen places we have a clear contrast where the Psalmist calls out to God regarding a particular problem, but he always turns his gaze immediately to the Lord and His Word. He gets his eyes off the problem by keeping his eyes on the Lord through the Word. Note the following illustrations from Psalm 119:23-24, 51-52, 61, 59-70, 78, 141-143, 161. Second, though the concept of praying according to the Word is implicit throughout this Psalm, some 15 or more times the Psalmist specifically makes his requests dependent on the principles of GodÆs Word with phrases such as, ôaccording to Thy Word.ö Note the following examples in verses 25, 41, 58, 116, 145, 156. What is the point? In view of the rest of this Psalm, the Psalmist was not simply praying, help me because you have promised in the Word to do so. For the Psalmist, prayer wasnÆt just a matter of ônaming and claiming.ö Rather, he was praying that GodÆs purposes and plan might be accomplished in his life. He wanted GodÆs deliverance, of course, but in ways that would honor the Lord and produce spiritual change and growth in his own life. Psalm 119 is one prayer after another, but always according to the principles, purposes, and directives of the Word. Note in verses 59, 67, 71, 75 and 133 how the Psalmist was committed to what God was doing in his life and this commitment controlled and directed the way he prayed. Third, repeatedly the Psalmist prayed for insight and ability to both understand and apply GodÆs Word. He recognized his complete inability to properly understand and respond in faithful obedience apart from the work of God. Verses 17-19, 26, and 33-38 will illustrate the point. Our last lesson was devoted to the Word-filled life and it is only fitting that we now focus on the prayer-filled life as another key element of GodÆs gracious provisions that are so vital for our spiritual journey. For the most part, the first section of this study will be little more than an outline on some of the key principles of the Word on prayer. The verse references are self-explanatory when read in connection with the content of the outline. This will be followed by an exposition of a few key passages on prayer. The Nature of Prayer: Worship and Service to God The basic meaning of the English word ôworshipö (originally ôworth + shipö) is ôto act in accord to the worth of something or someone.ö Worship is in essence anything we do which honors God, demonstrates devotion to Him, and acts in accord with who and what God is. In John 4:21-24, the word for worship is proskunew which means ôto kiss the hand, do reverence to.ö It referred to an act of obeisance or reverence whether to express respect and devotion or make supplication. John 4:21-24 Jesus said to her, ôWoman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.ö When we go to God in prayer, we are doing honor to Him in that we recognize Him as the all-sufficient one and ourselves as truly insufficient or inadequate. This is suggested in the primary and general words for prayer in the New Testament. These are proseucomai, the verb found 85 times, and proseuch, the noun found 37 times. Pros means ôtoward,ö and eucomai means ôto make request, invoke.ö These two words are only used of God in the New Testament. The preposition pros adds the ideas of direction, closeness, or approaching God to make requests. Certainly as the general and primary New Testament words, proseucomai and eucomai contain the idea of worship in the sense mentioned. However, prayer, as a further evidence of reverence and honor for God, must also be seen as service and ministry. In Philippians 3:3 the word for worship is the Greek latreuw which basically means ôto serve.ö Philippians 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, When Satan offered the Lord Jesus the kingdoms of the world if He would bow down and worship him, the Lord Jesus responded by using both proskunew and latreuw. This should broaden and give us some interesting insight into the concept of worship. True worship in spirit and truth, regardless of the nature, includes service to God. Note JesusÆ reply when Satan tempted Jesus to bow down and worship him in Matthew 4:10: ôThen Jesus said to him, æBegone, Satan! For it is written, ôYou shall worship (proskunew) the Lord your God, and serve (latreuw) Him only.öÆö Worship is not simply something we do in religious ceremonies and rituals in which we are supposed to be demonstrating devotion to God. Regarding several words in the New Testament which contain the idea of worship, Vine writes: The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scripture. A consideration of the above verbs shows that it is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgment to God, of His nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in such acknowledgment.89 We might note how latreuw is used in the New Testament. Latreuw was used of temple service in Hebrews 9:9, ôwhich is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper (literally, ôthe one who did the serviceö) perfect in conscience.ö Latreuw was used of any kind of service to the Lord in Hebrews 9:14, ôhow much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve (latreuw) the living God?ö Latreuw was used of the service of oneÆs life accompanied by reverence and awe as in Hebrews 12:28, ôTherefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service (latreuw) with reverence and awe.ö Latreuw was used of the preaching of the gospel, ôFor God, whom I serve (latreuw) in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of youö (Rom. 1:9). Though prayer may take on various forms and roles, all prayer is clearly an aspect of worship in which we demonstrate both reverence and service to God as an expression of the believerÆs priesthood and ministry as an ambassador of Christ. The Types and Role of Prayer as Worship (1) Confession of sin. We can immediately see how confession is a form of worship or reverential fear in that it is a response to the holiness of God. It acknowledges not only that God is holy, but that unconfessed sin forms a barrier to fellowship and hinders GodÆs answer to prayer. Obviously, if our prayer is to be effective, sin must be dealt with. Prayer, to be effective, needs to begin with confession where we acknowledge sin to the Lord (cf. Isa. 59:1-3; Psa. 66:18). Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to Thee, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ôI will confess my transgressions to the LORDö&; And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LordÆs hand is not so short That it cannot save; Neither is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. (2) Praise. Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. (3) Thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (4) Intercession. Praying for others in specific requests in service to God as a ministry of the priesthood He has given us. Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 1 Peter 2:5 and 9 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christà . 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for GodÆs own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heartÆs desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. (5) Petition. Prayer for our own needs in acknowledgment of our inadequacy and His sufficiency. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. The Divine Order of Prayer (1) We pray to the Fatherùour PROVIDER. John 16:23-26 And in that day you will ask Me no question. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. 25 These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will speak no more to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf; James 1:17 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (2) We pray in the name of the Sonùour ACCESS. (Cf. also John 16:23-26 above.) Ephesians 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (3) We pray in the power of the Holy Spiritùour MEANS. Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; Categories of Prayer Understanding that the Christian life is a spiritual warfare, the following, based upon praying according to military objectives, is suggested. (1) Strategicùlong-range goals. Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, ôThe harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.ö (2) Tacticalùimmediate goals and needs. Colossians 4:2-4 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, (3) Logisticùphysical and support needs (cf. also Jam. 5:13-20). Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Philippians 1:19 For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, It has been my observation that most people and most prayer meetings focus primarily on logistical needs, particularly as they relate to illnesses. Our prayers often lack in vision for the great strategic and tactical objectives for which the Lord has left us here on earth. In fact, when we pray for the logistical needs of food, clothing, jobs, health, etc., what is our motivation? Is it primarily our comfort and pleasure? Or is it for the provision of God so we can fulfill His purposes for the body of Christ in the Great Commissionùevangelism and building people in Christ for ministry? The prayer life of the believer ought to revolve around: (a) who we areùambassadors of Christ, (b) where we areùon temporary assignment in the world, and (c) why we are hereùto represent the Lord Jesus to a dying world. Times of Prayer (1) Private Scheduled: Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch. Psalm 88:13 But I, O LORD, have cried out to Thee for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before Thee. Psalm 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words. Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Spontaneous: Nehemiah 2:1-4 And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 So the king said to me, ôWhy is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.ö Then I was very much afraid. 3 And I said to the king, ôLet the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathersÆ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?ö 4 Then the king said to me, ôWhat would you request?ö So I prayed to the God of heaven. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing; (2) Family Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Ephesians 6:4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (3) Team Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. Acts 16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; (4) Public 1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Prerequisites for Effective Prayer There are prerequisites for prayer. We cannot just go dashing into the presence of a holy God in just any spiritual condition. I grew up on a small cattle ranch in East Texas and obviously, in the process of working in such an environment, our boots could become pretty filthy. My mother used to say, ôYou donÆt come into this clean house without either cleaning or removing your boots. This is not a horse stall!ö She was right and to do otherwise was being inconsiderate of her and the place we lived in together. The Lord made a similar point in John 13 when He washed the feet of the disciples. When our feet are dirty, a picture of the sin that occurs as we walk down the streets of life, we cannot have fellowship with Him and prayer is a vital element of fellowship (cf. John 13:1-17). See Appendix 4 for a brief overview of the believerÆs need of daily cleansing from John 13:1-17. Note the following important prerequisites for effective prayer: (1) Personal relationship with Jesus Christ as oneÆs Savior. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, ôI am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.ö (2) Walking in fellowship: Sins confessed and Spirit-controlled. Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear; 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (3) Living by the Word (cf. Ps. 119). Proverbs 28:9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. (4) Praying in faith trusting in the will of God. Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
