PRAYER
Psalm 141:1–2, Psalm 142, Acts 9:11
Introduction
This season we will deal with the subject of “prayer.” This is not only a very important subject but it is also one concerning which there is a great deal of ignorance. Although the disciples of our Lord have been brought up in the religious homes of that day, these mature men ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray!”
We will not deal with successive Scripture passages in these outlines this season because the subject matter does not lend itself to that. Instead, we will seek to illumine various aspects of prayer as they are revealed in various Scriptures, and the last outlines will deal with some of the prayers which are found in both the Old and New Testaments. We will not deal with the Lord’s Prayer because that was treated in a previous series by this author on the Sermon on the Mount.
Objectionable Prayer
Prayer is an intimate outpouring of the soul to God. As a result, it is dangerous to criticize prayers. Yet, this must often be done ifwe would be true to the Scriptures and our Confessions. Many today seem to talk to God as an equal. Sometimes one gets the impression that they hardly consider Him equal. Some give the impression that they have a direct insight into the will of God and we hear them pray: We know you are going to do this! Others love to speak of the fact that they are uttering “just a little prayer.” I, for one, do not know what a “big prayer” is! One even hears today that the first personal pronoun is used while they are praying in a group. Some who pray in public inform the Lord of various things. They will even tell him, when quoting a verse of Scripture, where it is found! So we could go on. A good case could be made for the thesis that some “gossip” in prayer. They will pray for someone and thereby tell the group concerning this person’s evil deeds-while seemingly praying for his repentance and the forgiveness of others. To say that these things must be avoided is saying the obvious, but they are too common in our circles.
It is important that we learn how to pray because our prayer life reflec.ts and affects our spiritual life and the public prayers uttered in worship services will affect the obtaining ofa blessing by those who have come to worship. It is possible, for example, to listen to a sermon which is really Scriptural and Reformed and, during the same service, to listen to a prayer which exudes mysticism and fundamentalism. We must learn what the Scriptures have to teach us on this subject.
Appropriate Prayer to God
True prayer acknowledges the God to Whom we pray as the One who is infinitely far above us. He is the Source of all good. He is the Source of all blessings. We may not conceive of Him as being so like us that we talk to Him as we would to the man down the street. Jesus taught His disciples to pray. True, He is our Father, and that is a great blessing for His people, but He is the Father who is enthroned in the heavens! We must also know ourselves and our needs when we pray. This is the only way whereby we come in the proper frame of heart and mind. It is the only way whereby we will come in the proper humility.
Definition
The question has often been asked, and is still being asked, “What is prayer?” I suppose that the best answer we are going to be able to give to this question is that prayer is having communion with God. This definition may not cover all the various aspects of prayer, but it will do for our everyday life. In order to have communion with another it is necessary that each speaks but that each one listens too. God has spoken to us in His Word. We better listen to Him first before we begin to speak. Prayer meetings in which the Word ofGod is not heard , are dangerous! We can only know Him properly through the revelation He has given of Himself. Our prayers will then find much of their content in that word which He has spoken. The late Prof. Volbeda used to tell us: “Your prayers must breathe Biblicity!” The Word will guide us in our prayers. The special needs which an individual may have are not addressed by the Scriptures but the Scriptures inform us concerning Him to Whom we pray and concerning our basic needs!
In our prayers we are, of course, not to be preoccupied with ourselves. We may never do that and certainly not in our prayers. God must receive the praise and glory of all our life and surely ·also of our prayers. Later we will deal a little more fully with the approved content of prayer.
Why Pray?
All the creatures our God has made look to Him for all things, but only man, the one who was made in His image, is able to pray. Man is engaged in his highest activity when he prays. The question is sometimes asked, and if not asked, is at least close to the surface, why should we pray? Is it even proper? God knows all things, hence we don’t have to tell Him anything. God has also determined all things. He is also the unchangeable One. Why should I, then, pray to Him? Surely, the old motto, “Prayer changes things,” is theologically incorrect! These are the questions which have bothered people over the centuries. In order to receive an answer to these questions we must again listen carefully to the word of God rather than to our own logic. He has commanded us to pray and regardless of the logic men use to excuse their lack of prayer, they are disobedient! It is indeed a comfort for us to know that God does not change and that is the reason we are not consumed, yet, we may never think of God as like an impervious rock! Again and again in the Old Testament we read that “it repented the Lord,” and He did not do those things which He had said He was going to do. After the one prayer of Hezekiah He added fifteen years to his life. There are many other examples. Is it proper to pray? Without prayer a believer would die spiritually! When Ananias is understandably afraid to approach Saul of Tarsus, he is told: “Behold he prayeth!” God has met this former enemy of the church of Christ and has turned him completely about. He has been converted! No one is able to fight against God and win. Ananias, if you want proof of his conversion, he is on his knees before his God! He has been humbled. No longer do you have to be afraid of him. He is now a fellow-believer; in fact, you now come together before the throne of grace! He has been rendered helpless.
I have met him and he now realizes that he must come to Me for all things-even his life. When a person becomes sincere in his prayer he is harmless—he is a brother. With this information the Lord strengthens Ananias to his difficult task. Beautifully He teaches us what it means to pray.
Isn’t it too bad that the prayer of Paul during his three days of blindness bas not been recorded for us? There are other instances in which the Bible is silent regarding important episodes in the life of believers, such as the meeting of the resurrected Lord with Peter alone on the Resurrection day (Luke 24:34). But, it is not strange that the Bible maintains a silence regarding such experiences because they are instances of intimate communion. These are not revealed for our curious probing.
Old Testament Teaching
The entire Scriptures teach us about prayer. The New Testament is much richer than the Old in such teaching , but prayer has always been essential in the spiritual life of God’s people regardless of the time in which they lived. In the Old Testament there are naturally more symbolic references to prayer. In the tabernacle and in the temple the altar of incense had an important place. The rising smoke of the incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people rising to His mercy seat. Psalm 141 also speaks of the prayer of the believer rising as incense before the face of God. That incense, or its smoke, was closely connected to the altar of burnt offering. The sacrifices had to be brought to show the penitence of the one sacrificing, but, the mere sacrifice might be brought with a heart which was still far removed from Him. The prayers of God’s people would show the sincerity of the sacrifice which was brought.
In Psalm 142 the poet pours out his heart to his God. He has undergone many bitter experiences. These he now lays before the eyes ofGod. He does not intend to list the reasons why he is suffering so many reverses and difficulties. We must rather see what a comfort it is for the child of God to bring all his needs before the God who is able to afford help in time of need! Prayer is not a psychological crutch which causes the person who prays to feel better after he has it off his chest! This is the way prayer is explained in many circles today. The believer has a different experience. The life-line between him and his God is established in prayer! God speaks in His word and the believer responds in thanksgiving and prayer.
A wonderful gift has been given to us in the very fact that we can and that we may pray. The person who prays is never alone. The person who prays cannot remain despondent regardless of the circumstances. He has communion with his Father Who is Maker of heaven and earth and upholds all the things He has created. The confidence and the joy which return to the heart of the believer are such as cannot be described to others who have nowhere to go with all of their difficulties. Only the believer can pray. Are there atheists in the fox holes ofBataan? No, but there are also no atheists in hell—everyone there too will know there is a God! We must know Him to Whom we pray—but, He has revealed Himself! May we learn to pray properly.
Questions for Discussion
1. Is it possible to err in prayer as much as in doctrine? Do you think that the name of God is often used in vain in prayer? 2. Is the congregational prayer a very important part of a worship service? If it is, why do we hear a great deal about the quality of the sermon which was preached but seldom hear anything about the prayer which was uttered? 3. What is a father’s role in the prayer life of a family? Is it proper to have even the smallest children pray—so that they may learn by doing? 4. How must we know God to be able to pray properly? He is a Father to His people; but must we also stand in awe of Him? 5. Is silent prayer in the home just as good as audible prayer? 6. Why is it that many God-fearing people find it very difficult to lead in prayer? How can this difficulty be overcome?
Lesson 2
PRAYER: THE CHIEF PART OF GRATITUDE
Psalms 50:14, 116, I Corinthians 14:15
The Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that prayer is the chief part of Christian gratitude. Even though we are familiar with this statement of the Catechism, it seems that this teaching is not often practiced. We have all kinds of ideas of prayer. Thereby we may have all things for the asking. Accordingly our prayers are often preoccupied with the material world, our bodies etc. But, that prayer is the chief part of gratitude is difficult for many to imagine.
Priority of Praise
We are able to show our gratitude in various ways. The law precedes the treatment of prayer in the catechism. By obeying the law we reveal our gratitude and our love for our Lord. “lf ye love me, keep my commandments.” When the individual commandments are kept, we show our gratitude. Yet, prayer is the chief part. This truth must color our whole view of prayer. If we really believe that therein we show our thankfulness as in no other way, our prayers will be reformed. No longer will we approach God with a long list of our wishes, but, with over flowing praise. Of course we may ask for things! But, they are not the main things—if we truly believe what our confession states.
Prayer Psalms
It is noteworthy in the Scriptures that many ofthe Psalms are prayers . The statement of the catechism seeks to raise our prayers to such a height that they become Psalms! When we enter our place of prayer the praise of God is to be uppermost in our minds and hearts . God is placed first. Then we will also experience the real blessedness of prayer. Neither will we sing anymore: Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer, because He always hears us.
In Jesus’ Name
Although many people consider prayer to be a simple thing, we soon discover that prayer is difficult if we follow the Biblical pattern of it. Gratitude is not easy for us. One has to come a considerable way into the Christian life to reach gratitude. It is the third part of that which is necessary for us to know. First we must realize our sin and confess it. Then we must know the redemption which we receive through the blood of Jesus Christ. Then comes our gratitude! Only the person who has tasted the redemption which we have in Christ is able to pray. Jesus emphasizes this fact when He teaches us that we will only be heard when we pray in His name. How can one approach the throne of God in prayer if he does not know Jesus Christ? Those who only use the blessed name of our Saviour in oaths cannot pray! Yet, almost everyone speaks of the times they have prayed.
Petitions and Thanksgiving
It has often been said that need teaches one to pray. When the need of the individual becomes so great that he does not know where to turn , he prays. There are even examples of this in the Scriptures. Peter cries out when he is about to be swallowed up by the waves: “Lord help me!” Wasn’t this a prayer? It certainly was. However, although we cry out many times when we are overwhelmed by the need of the moment, this is not the kind of prayer which is “the chief part of gratitude.” It is true that we are not always able to pray a well structured prayer and one which contains all the things which are proper to prayer. But , this should not blind us to the necessity of expressing our heartfelt thanks to God in prayer.
Need usually doesn’t teach one the proper prayer. God demands of us that we come to Him and that we come to Him in the proper way. We learn how to pray from Him, “at His feet.” Then it becomes prayer which is acceptable. The Psalmist says in Psalm 50:14: “Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High.” Our prayers are to be sacrifices of praise. That is the way we render true thanksgiving to our God. Then we do not only show gratitude for the things we have received, but we show gratitude for Him! True thanksgiving is a matter of the heart. What can we give to God? How can we enrich Him? It is high time that we get away from the notion which is all to prevalent, that we do much for the Lord! Whatever we do for Him we owe to Him. The Psalmist in Psalm 116:12–13 shows us the proper way. He also asks: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?”
His answer – “I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” He responds to the Lord by taking more! In this way we discover what true gratitude is.
Thoughtful Prayer
Our grateful prayer is often blunted by our mistaken idea of what true prayer really is. Many have a “mystical” view of it. The Apostle Paul shows us that that is not the right attitude. It is marvelous beyond human comprehension that a sinner is able to approach the Maker of heaven and earth and that he is guaranteed an audience with Him. Yet, we must beware of a mistakenly mystical and subjective view of prayer. The Corinthian people had many gifts. Speaking in tongues seemed to be somewhat common in this church. But, in spite of their many gifts, they also had more problems than any other church to which the Apostle ministered. Concerning prayer Paul says: “I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding.” Prayer must not be left in a sphere where the understand ing is not able to enter. Prayer, to be truly our highest form of gratitude, must be exercised by the whole man including his mind. Some have said that we cannot really study prayer or dissect it. It is a living thing and if it is dissected—it dies. If that were true one would not be able to preach on prayer. Our Lord teaches us differently in John 17. He does not teach that mystical view which has banned the understanding from the arena of prayer.
Our Lord’s Lesson: The Lord’s Prayer
The more sincere and the deeper the prayer, the less is asked. We must never lose sight of the teaching of the Lord’s prayer regarding this matter. Not only has our Lord taught His disciples to pray a beautiful prayer, He also taught them by means of the order of the various petitions. First He places the things ofGod and His praise. We may not overlook this. Although the physical needs of the one who is praying get a turn, they are by no means first! To put the matter bluntly, many pray and give the impression that prayer is the cheapest way to obtain things! Young people often ask: What may we pray for? This is a question which we hope to answer in a later outline. Suffice it to say now that many of the things prayed for reveal a view of prayer which is far from placing gratitude first.
If prayer is “the chief part of gratitude which we owe to our God,” all our prayers should reveal this confession. When a man comes into the presence of God he must know what he is doing. He ought to listen carefully to the word which God has spoken before he opens his own mouth to speak to the Most High God. We are taught in the Scriptures again and again that some did not come to God in the proper manner. The two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, are examples. They had just recently entered the work of the priesthood. Then they came with “strange fire” into the presence of God (Lev. 10:1). It is not easy to determine why it was “strange fire” and various interpretations are given. I think, however, that the text itself makes clear they brought this fire which He had not commanded. They went their own willful way. They come with censers as types of the prayers of God’s people, and He did not accept these prayers. Although this should have been a day of rejoicing in the life of Aaron because his sons could now do the priestly work with him, it became a day of grief because God destroyed both of them. He hereby taught Israel and all those who will later read His revelation that they may not play fast and loose with the prayers which are brought into His presence.
“In Everything Give Thanks”
If prayer is to be the chief part of the gratitude which believers are to bring to their God, what does this suggest about the frequency of their prayers? Are we always so thankful that we have to take time out to express it in prayer? That is the way we ought to be! We must learn to follow the order which has been taught us in our confession. When we know, really know, Who God is and when we really know our own deepest need, we will give unceasing thanks! Then our prayers rise from the beginning to the end of the day. “What shall we render to God for all His benefits to us?” Let us not forget any of them.
This view of prayer (that it is the chief part of gratitude) answers many other questions which come to our minds. Unbelievers often view prayer as being harmless and even profitable for little children, but not for the thinker. He should know better than to believe that his utterances will be heard by anybody and that these utterances are going to have any effect. But, this is not true. We must do much self-searching to realize our needs and to realize how much we receive of which we are unworthy. Such a realization moves men to gratitude. It moves them to a gratitude even though others may pity them for their lot. While believers are able to be thankful in the prosperity which their God sends them, they can also be thankful in the many reverses which they may have to endure. Prayer, when properly understood , will reveal what kind of people we are.
We have proceeded on the assumption that we have much for which we are to give thanks. No doubt, this thought is widely accepted. Yet, often say: We cannot be thankful enough! Try it! Be sure you know the way we are to give thanks. We must learn to pray! When our prayers rise as incense before God, He will hear us-He will have mercy on us–He will open the windows of heaven upon us so that we will not be able to contain all that He gives. Then the child of God bows his head and prays. His prayer is always: “How good Thou art!”
Questions for discussion:
1. How would you describe the content of most of the prayers which you hear and which you yourself, utter? Do we usually follow the guidance of the Catechism?
2. Must we also be discerning when we listen to the prayers of others? Should the congregational prayer bring your need s before the throne of grace?
3. If we must listen carefully to prayers uttered in public, does this entail the danger of taking a blessing away from us?
4. Should we pray according to the occasion? Should all the needs of Christendom be mentioned in our mealtime prayers? Have you ever heard someone pray for many things at mealtime except for a blessing on the food?
5. Do you think people often bring “strange fire” before God in their prayers? What do you think of “prayer requests”?