Read: The Blessing of Prayer (Dr. Roels)

THE BLESSING OF PRAYER

By Edwin D. Roels

FOREWORD

This course focuses on PRAYER. Though it is an academic study, its primary intention is not simply to provide information about prayer but rather to encourage readers to pray more fervently and more frequently. If your study of this course simply enables you to find interesting answers to some of your questions about prayer but does not encourage you to pray or give you increased joy and blessing in your prayer life, you will have missed the purpose of studying this course.

There are many wonderful stories of special answers to prayer in the Bible. These stories are both inspiring and encouraging.However, there are also times when sincere believers, both in Bible times and throughout history, did not receive the answers they had prayed for or longed for. You may have experienced that in your own life as well. In this course you will not find answers to all the questions you have about "unanswered” prayer, but you will find reasons why at least some of our prayers are not answered as desired.

This course also provides answers to many practical questions about when and how and where we should pray. It also discusses the different "kinds” of prayer which are sometimes referred to as the ACTS of prayer--referring to prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

It is my desire that your sincere and diligent study of this course will lead you to develop a joyful and fruitful prayer life that will bring glory to God and will also bring many blessings both to you and to others whose lives are influenced by your faithful prayers.

INTRODUCTION

Historically, prayer has been extremely important for Christians. Through prayer we reach the heart of God and gain access to the power of God. When we pray, we no longer depend on our own strength or ability or knowledge or resources. Rather, we open up our lives to let God work through us in wonderful and marvelous and even surprising ways.

Jesus Himself spent much time in prayer. At times He prayed all night. He prayed fervently at the turning points of His life--before choosing His disciples, before going to the cross, while on the cross, before Peter's denial and restoration, before raising Lazarus from the dead, before breaking the loaves and the fish. He also urged His followers to pray intensely, faithfully, unceasingly, in times of gratitude and in times of need.

How foolish it is for us not to pray when God promises to hear us, help us, encourage us, protect us, strengthen us and guide us. Our prayers do not have to be long, because sincerity is more important than length. Bodily position isn't crucial since already in Bible times people prayed with their face to the heavens or to the ground, with their knees bent or while standing. And the place where they prayed was of relatively minor significance. Believers prayed at home, in the temple, on the road and on the sea. They prayed when others could see them and they prayed when they were in secret. They prayed with others and they prayed alone.

The Bible contains many promises regarding prayer, encouragements to pray, and incentives to pray. The Bible also assures us that God hears our prayers and answers them. In this course we will look at all those dimensions. But the goal of studying this course is not simply to learn more about the subject of prayer, but rather to be inspired to pray-to pray more earnestly, more sincerely, and more frequently. Studying what the Bible says about prayer is certainly good and may help us in many ways. But the study must lead to actual, fervent, frequent, passionate prayer--or it will have only minimal value.

There are at least four different "kinds” of prayer in the Bible and each one is considered in this course. The four "kinds” of prayer referred to are Adoration (Praise), Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (making requests). Many people refer to these four categories as the ACTS of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). Individual prayers may include one or more of these categories, but our prayer life should increasingly include all four.

Prayers of Adoration or Praise. The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament contains far more prayers of adoration than any other book in the Bible, though expressions of praise are found in other books of both the Old and New Testament as well.

Prayers of Confession. Some prayers of confession, such as the prayer of David recorded in Psalm 51, deal primarily with personal sins and failures. Others, such as those of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:5-7) and Daniel (Daniel 9:1-19) deal more with the sins of larger groups such as the nation of Israel. These men realized that prayer is not simply an individual matter. They recognized that in a sense we all share in the sins of the body of Christ and in our national sins in some way--even if we personally do not commit those sins.

Prayers of Thanksgiving. When we pray prayers of thanksgiving we demonstrate that we realize where our blessings come from. Others may share in the same blessings we do (sunshine, food, rain, protection, safety, etc.) without acknowledging God as the source of those blessings. Through prayer we acknowledge God in every area of life and in every situation. He is our Father, our Provider, our Protector, our Savior, and our Guide. He is the one to receive honor, glory, and thanksgiving. He is the one who can grant forgiveness and wholeness and peace. So as we develop a life of prayer, we rejoice increasingly in the presence and the promises of God and thank Him for them.

Prayers of Supplication. For some people, prayer seems to be primarily a means of getting something from God. If they need food or drink, they ask God to provide it. If they need wisdom or strength, they ask Him to supply it. If they have a serious disease, they ask God to heal it. If they face a big problem, they ask Him to solve it. If they are in a difficult situation, they ask Him to change it. If they need money, they ask Him to give it. And if they have any other need or desire, they ask Him to take care of it. And that is the extent of their praying. But for the sincere believer, prayer involves so much more than that. We look to the Lord not only for material or physical blessings, but we pray even more earnestly for the spiritual and eternal blessings which He provides. And we ask for these blessings not only so that our own lives will be enriched, but so that God will increasingly be glorified in our own lives and in the lives of all His people.

THE GIFT OF PRAYER

Someone once wrote: "More things are accomplished through prayer than this world dreams of.” And that is almost certainly true. It probably is also true that when we get to heaven, some of us will sincerely regret that we prayed so little while we were on earth. We will then realize how much more fruitful and blessed our lives could have been if we had prayed more earnestly, more frequently, and with greater faith.

At times we may be surprised to see how the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth responds to the simplest prayer. At other times we may be humbled and inspired to see how many wonderful things happen when God's faithful people pray.

Prayer is far more, of course, than simply asking God for things. Prayer also involves praise, confession, thanksgiving, and much more. Some prayers are not even spoken at all. As one writer put it many years ago:

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, unuttered or expressed,
the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear,
the upward glancing of the eye when none but God is near. (James Montgomery)

The blessings of prayer are truly many and great. However, prayer is never a substitute for work. We do not work less because we pray more. As an old Latin phrase ("Ora et Labora”) reminds us, we must both pray and work. We will never be able to achieve anything of lasting value without the blessing of God, but when Christ lives in us and God works through us, we will be able to accomplish much that brings blessing to us and others and also brings praise and honor to God.

There are some things about prayer, of course, that we cannot not fully explain or understand. But even when we face circumstances or situations that go beyond our human understanding, we will still faithfully respond to God's invitation to come to Him in humble and persevering prayer. Because we trust in His promises and are assured of His love and grace, we will always continue to pray.

A BRIEF OUTLINE

In Lesson One we will concentrate on two things: (1) God's gracious invitation to come to Him in prayer, and (2) God's promises to hear and answer us when we pray.

In Lesson Two we will consider some general questions which often arise in connection with prayer. For example, we will consider whether prayer really makes any difference if God already has a plan for our lives and for the rest of the world.

In Lesson Three we will focus on some of God's wonderful answers to prayer--particularly as these are recorded in the Bible.

In Lesson Four we will consider the potential "dangers” of answered prayer. It may seem strange even to suggest that there may be dangers when prayers are answered--but there are!

In Lesson Five we will consider the problems that sometimes arise in connection with "unanswered” prayer.

In Lesson Six we will focus on prayers of Praise.

In Lesson Seven we will focus on prayers of Confession.

In Lesson Eight we will focus on prayers of Thanksgiving.

In Lesson Nine we will focus on prayers of Intercession.

In Lesson Ten we will focus on Prayer and Fasting and other matters related to prayer.

GOD INVITES HIS PEOPLE TO PRAY

If the Bible did not assure us that God sincerely invites us to pray and even wants us to pray, we might feel that we are being too bold when we bring our requests and petitions to Him. Since He is the Ruler over the entire universe and is highly exalted above everyone and everything in this world, we might conclude that our own problems and needs are so small that God is not concerned about them.

Thankfully, that is not true. If anything is of concern to us, it is also of concern to God. Nothing is too big and nothing is too small to bring to Him in prayer. Since the Bible tells us that even the hairs of our head are all numbered and that God is concerned about the fall of a lowly sparrow to the ground, He certainly is concerned about the hurts and needs of His children.

Read What the Bible Teaches

Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Jesus said, "Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6: 31-33

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:18

"Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James 5:13

GOD PROMISES TO HEAR HIS PEOPLE WHEN THEY PRAY

God knows our deepest longings and understands our most earnest desires. He understands our thoughts even when we are not able to express them. He hears our groanings and feels our sighs. He knows our hurts and sees our tears. He knows when we fall and when we are confused. He understands our fears and our inward pain. He hears our feeblest cries and responds to our most urgent calls. God fully understands exactly what we are going through. In every experience of joy or sorrow, God is there. And in every situation of need or blessing, He is willing and eager to hear our prayers.

God Hears Our Prayers

"Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. . . . When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:15 and 17

"The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” Proverbs 15:29

"He regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.” Psalm 102:17

"This is the confidence we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12

GOD PROMISES TO ANSWER US WHEN WE PRAY

God not only hears our prayers, but He also promises to answer them. It's true that there are some things which may stand in the way of receiving positive answers to our prayers, but in this Lesson we focus on God's gracious promises to answer the prayers of all those who come to Him humbly and sincerely.

God's Promises in the Old Testament

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.'” Jeremiah 29:11-13

"But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

"When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” Psalm 91:15

"They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'” Zechariah 13:9

Jesus' Promises in the New Testament

"Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-10, 13

"Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

Other Promises in the New Testament

"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:21-22

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15

"Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:13-16

WHOSE PRAYERS WILL GOD ANSWER?

God always responds to the prayers of all those who love and trust Him. Sometimes He may also answer the prayers of those who know very little about Him or who are not living the way He wants them to. At times He may even choose to respond to the cries of those do not love or trust Him or who aren't even sure that He exists!

However, if we are going to have a fruitful, consistent and meaningful prayer life, we must sincerely believe at least three things.

First, we must believe that there truly is a God who genuinely cares about this world and especially about those who love and trust Him.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Second, we must sincerely believe that God rules over the entire world and that He has the power to do whatever He chooses to do in this world.

"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” Psalm 115:3

See also Psalm 135:6 and Ephesians 1:11.

Third, we must believe that God not only knows what is best for us who love and trust Him, but that He also will do what is best for us--whether we fully understand His ways or not.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

In Lesson Five we will look at some other things that may be considered "requirements” that have to be met before God will answer our prayers. In this Lesson, however, we emphasize God's promises to answer us. He blesses us primarily because of His mercy and grace and because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has merited for us and not because of who we are or what we have done.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright (c) 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.