Teach us to pray-19
Since prayer is so important to Jesus and to our Heavenly Father, why are so many confused as how to pray and what to pray? Also, what should we not pray for and who should we not pray for are important questions to answer. Our only answers are to be found in the Bible. The disciples had the same questions.
Luke 11:1 It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples."
Jesus personally chose these 12 men, yet even with all the Sabbaths in the Temple or in a Synagogue, they had not been taught how to pray! I believe that is the same in most of the ‘churches’ today! As mentioned earlier, most even the majority of the ‘prayer requests’ in the church are for healing. Yet, very few of the prayers in the Bible are for healing.
We have studied the ‘Disciples’ prayer, most often misnamed as the ‘Lord’s’ prayer. But, there are many more informative verses to come to a more complete understanding on how to pray.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
This passage in Paul’s letter gives us some important insight into our problem and the trails we face. We need prayer to contend with the forces of evil.
6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
We need to consider the very real spiritual reality of the battle we are in every day. Paul has already mention the ‘evil one’ twice. There is a very real war going on and we need all the protection God will provide us.
6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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, 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, 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Here is Paul’s summary of what he it asking for and praying for.
Pray at all times and all the time
Pray with the help of the Holy Spirit
Pray the body of Christ would persevere
Pray for Paul to have boldness to declare the gospel
Pray for Paul to have the right words at the right time.
Paul is in prison, but he does not ask for his release, his escape, or his health. All of these should or could be requested, but aren’t as important to him as boldly declaring the gospel. He also asked for prayers for the ‘saints’ before asking for prayers for himself.
Who do you pray for in addition to asking for prayers for yourself?
What are the things you should be praying for every day?
More next Saturday.