Thesis 15/36: Prayer

DOCTRINES OF FAITH
Doctrine 15 / 36: Prayer

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In the Christian life, prayer and faith go hand in hand. Of all of the spiritual disciplines, secret prayer is the greatest measure of a person's faith. He may read the Bible to gain knowledge and impress his friends; he may give money to receive recognition of people or to feel good about himself; he may fast because of the health benefits. However, secret prayer, time spent in prayer to God of which nobody else knows, has no other benefit in the person's life. Prayer is simply talking to God. Secret prayer is the greatest measure of a person's faith.

What advantage is there in prayer? Primarily, it delights God. "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight" (Proverbs 15:8). Because prayer is a demonstration of a person's faith, God delights in it. Prayer is saying to God, "God, I can not accomplish something on my own, I am dependent upon You for this request." God is delighted when man shows his reliance upon God.

Prayer does not only delight God, but also advantages the Christian. "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). When a Christian brings all of his struggles to God, and lays them at His feet, the result is that a peace, which is beyond understanding, will come upon that person. This happens when God's sovereignty and love is understood. God loves His children and will work all things for good. Therefore when a Christian lays the burden on God, he no longer needs to have care for it.

When Jesus was on the earth, He told his disciples that after His death they were to pray to God in the name of Jesus (John 16:23-24). Praying "in the name of Jesus" does not only mean saying His name at the end of the prayer. Praying in Jesus' name is claiming the prayer in Jesus' behalf, and on account of Jesus' authority. The police officer says, "Stop! in the name of the law." He is saying that the law of the land is telling you to stop right now; he is claiming the authority of the law. Jesus tells His disciples to pray to the Father with the authority of the Son. This is imperative as even the Pharisees recognized that God does not answer the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). Man's iniquities have separated him from God, so that God will not have communion with him. However, when man approaches the Father, and says to Him, "God, I am coming to you on behalf of Your Son, I am coming to you because He told me to come to You, and I am asking for something that He wants," then the Father will hear and will give whatever is requested. The pure and holy Lamb of God, is there before the Father making intercession for Christians, as the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16), therefore the Christian can approach God in prayer.

The reason that many prayers go unanswered is because they are not being prayed in Jesus' name. In fact, Jesus promises "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you" (John 16:23). Therefore, if any prayer goes unanswered, it is certain the prayer was not prayed in Jesus' name, on His behalf, with His authority. Oftentimes that is because the prayer is asked simply to benefit the person praying. "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3). Or perhaps the prayer is simply not in accordance with God's sovereign plan in that situation. The closer a Christian grows in communion to God, the more he will see God's plan and pray in accordance with it. If a person is regarding iniquity in their heart, the Lord will not hear him (Psalm 66:18). Another principle that can be derived from James 1:5-6 is that if a person doubts that God can or will answer, then God may not answer. God wants the requests that are made to Him to be asked in faith (Matthew 21:22). Also, the Bible also says that if a husband has a wrong relationship with his wife, that his prayers will be hindered (1 Peter 3:7).

Prayer should be made for all men, for kings, for all that are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1). Prayer should be made to have God send laborers into His fields (Matthew 9:38). Prayer should be made for the ministers of the gospel that they would have boldness to speak, that the word of the Lord would have free course, that doors would be opened for them, and that they would be protected from unbelievers (Romans 15:30, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Colossians 4:3). Prayer should even be made for enemies (Matthew 5:44).

"Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."