A Pauline Primer on Prayer
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· 3 viewsHow to fight and resist evil. How to persevere in holiness while living in a world of corruption.
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Why Prayer?
Why Prayer?
I would argue as Donald Whitney does in Spiritual Disciplines that “prayer is penultimate, second only to the intake of God’s Word in the lives of God’s children.”
I would also stress that prayer is such because it is more than a mark of duty, but also of devotion. As Thomas Watson says, “Prayer keeps the heart open to God, but shut to sin; it is a key which unlocks God’s treasures of mercy.
Because of this importance, the church has historically been a people of prayer, a people devoted to prayer.
Acts 1:14 (ESV)
14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Acts 2:42 (ESV)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 6:4 (ESV)
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Romans 12:12 (ESV)
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Colossians 4:2 (ESV)
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Why Ephesians 6?
Why Ephesians 6?
There are so many places we could go...
but I’ve personally been in Ephesians for some time now,
the reality of Spiritual Warfare is always present,
we need constant reminders and further teaching,
and Paul gives a Primer on Prayer that is fairly comprehensive,
knowing we don’t have time for an exhaustive look at prayer.
ESV (Widely Used & Supplication)
ESV (Widely Used & Supplication)
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
NASB ‘95 (Personal Preference & Structure/Added Words)
NASB ‘95 (Personal Preference & Structure/Added Words)
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, 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, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Begin with Prayer
Begin with Prayer
What is Prayer?
What is Prayer?
WLC Question 178
“Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.”
LBCF 1689 Chapter 22, Paragraph 3
“Prayer with thanksgiving is an element of natural worship and so is required by God of everyone. But to be acceptable, it must be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will. It must be accompanied by understanding, reverence, humility, fervor, faith, love, and perseverance. Prayer with others must be in a language that is understood.”
How do you pray?
How do you pray?
Cooperative (In the Spirit)
Cooperative (In the Spirit)
We are united to God and His work in prayer.
Alistair Begg
“Not one way to pray, but the only way to pray.”
The Spirit unites us.
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
The Spirit is a prerequisite.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
The Spirit allows us to approach God as “Father”
The Spirit guides all of our prayer, and does so via the Word.
Categorical (ALL Prayer)
Categorical (ALL Prayer)
We are to be organized and prioritized in prayer. (A. C. T. S.)
We normally get this wrong. (Something close to S. C. A. T.)
Adoration:
Psalm 145:2-3 “2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”
We essentially pray His attributes: Goodness, Grace, Love, Wrath, Truth, Holiness, Aseity, Sovereignty, Immutability, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, Omniscience, Etc...
Confession:
Psalm 32:5 “5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
Thanksgiving:
Psalm 111:1-5 “1 Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.”
Supplication (Petition w/ Intercession):
Psalm 5:1-3 “1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. 2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. 3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
Constant (ALL Times)
Constant (ALL Times)
We are in constant need of prayer.
Prayer is conspired against by our flesh, the World, and the devil because this is true! They seek to cause us to misunderstand, misuse, or entirely give up on the practice.
The flesh is weak and says we aren’t able.
40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
The world is misleading and says we have no need.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
The devil is prowling and says we are misdirected.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Committed (ALL Perseverance)
Committed (ALL Perseverance)
We are tempted to give up on prayer.
Prayer is a duty.
41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
Prayer is more than duty, it should be a desire.
Michael Reeves
“When you default to thinking of prayer as an abstract activity, a ‘thing to do’, the tendency is to focus on the prayer as an activity – which makes it boring. Instead, focus on the one to whom you’re praying.”
13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
We can pray using our heads without our hearts, ultimately praying to ourselves.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
Our praying always is absolutely linked to our rejoicing and giving thanks always and in all circumstances. As we increase in prayer, we will also increase in our love, hope, and joy becoming more attuned to God’s will for us and following it in obedience as to allow the Spirit to work in and through us.
Comprehensive (ALL Saints)
Comprehensive (ALL Saints)
We are not the sole need or focus of prayer.
We are to offer petition for our own needs.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
But not only for our own needs. We ought to be on our knees on behalf of our brothers and sisters in intercessory prayer.
Christ and The Spirit are examples of this necessity.
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Why do you pray?
Why do you pray?
Paul...Ambassador…In Chains
Paul...Ambassador…In Chains
Paul’s Demands
Paul’s Demands
Utterance
Not just say something, but have something to say.
Boldness
Fear of God rather than men, to pursue faithfulness.
Paul’s Disposition
Paul’s Disposition
Humility
Trust in God's promises rather than man’s threats.
Dependent on God, to fulfill His mission, for His glory.
Dependent on God, to fulfill His mission, for His glory.
Proclaiming the “mystery of the Gospel.”
Ephesians 3:1–13 (ESV)
1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
DO YOU PRAY?
DO YOU PRAY?
If yes…consider...
If yes…consider...
Why?
Why?
Has your focus shifted or been lost altogether?
How?
How?
Has your format made prayer more difficult, or maybe even seemingly impossible?
If no…consider...
If no…consider...
Are you “in the Spirit”?
Plan to pray,
remember you’re praying to God,
avoid vanity in repetition and length,
don’t give in and don’t give up,
pray with a burning heart,
pray with boldness,
pray in faith,
pray with thanksgiving.
The reality of a lacking prayer life.
Michael Reeves
“…your prayer life reveals how much you really want communion with God and how much you really depend on him.”
“…prayerlessness is practical atheism, demonstrating a lack of belief in God.”
Wherever you are this morning, know there is hope...
Hebrews 3 (ESV)
1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ 11 As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ” 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Extra Notes
Extra Notes
New Every Morning Is The Love, Keble, 1822
1 New every morning is the love
our wakening and uprising prove;
through sleep and darkness safely brought,
restored to life and power and thought.
2 New mercies, each returning day,
hover around us while we pray;
new perils past, new sins forgiven,
new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.
3 If on our daily course our mind
be set to hallow all we find,
new treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.
4 The trivial round, the common task,
will furnish all we need to ask,
room to deny ourselves, a road
to bring us daily nearer God.
5 Only, O Lord, in thy dear love
fit us for perfect rest above;
and help us, this and every day,
to live more nearly as we pray.