Prayer

What we translate as ‘prayer’ comes from many Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek words. Although the broader sense of these can include being afflicted, pondering and uttering contemplations, the most prevalent of these definitions are intercession, petition, request.

There are clearly times to pray for ourselves. A few examples include:

· praying to not fall into temptation: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. _{Matthew 26:41}

· praying for peace: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

· praying for wisdom: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. _{James 1:5}

However, IF we want to actually receive these things, when we pray for them we need to have FAITH, BELIEVE and KNOW that God WILL bless us with them [as Pastor Chris noted last weekend].

· But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. _{James 1:6-8}

Of course, there is the Model Prayer _{Matthew 6:9-13}, in which we-

- Give PRAISE

- Submit to HIS will and acknowledge HIS power

- Ask for daily sustenance [literal and spiritual- He supplies ALL our needs]

- Ask for FORGIVENESS

- Ask not to fall into temptation

- AGAIN- Submit to HIS will and acknowledge HIS power

Let us consider the few examples presented here. The point is not that we can never pray for material things. [God addresses ALL our needs, including physical.] The point is that we pray according to HIS will _{1 John 5:14-15} and that our primary focus is seeking HIM and those things that will lay up treasure in heaven. _{Matthew 6:19-21} In fact, Jesus teaches us that God knows what we need-and if we seek HIM and HIS righteousness, all that we need will be given to us. _{Matthew 6:31-34}

Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays. ~Søren Kierkegaard

-In Christ

Reference:

Strong, James. The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 1996; pg 198.