Prayer is a powerful tool to deepen our discipleship.

Let’s begin our study on prayer.

Word Study on Disciple

I. Introduction

A. Next step

In this post, we assume that you have already repented of your sins and placed your trust and faith in Christ. Your sins are forgiven. You have been justified. God’s free gift of righteousness is yours now, for it has been imputed to you. You are born again. Now what?

B. Lifelong journey

You have been launched into a lifelong journey of growing in holiness and conformity to the image of Christ. This process is called sanctification. Discipleship consists of activities and a lifestyle by which you grow in holiness and in conformity to the image of Christ.

C. Ethical justification

Sanctification is sometimes called “ethical justification,” by which you prove and demonstrate by good works–living the life of a disciple–that you have been forensically or legally justified, that you have been declared righteous. You work out what God has declared you to be.

D. Life in the Spirit

The section on pneumatology shows that we disciples are filled with the Spirit. Sanctification and discipleship assumes that the Spirit lives in us. We cannot live a holy life without the Holy Spirit and grace empowering us.

E. Prayer basics

Prays flows out of a grateful heart. God wants us to communicate with him. He is a living being, after all. We believe he wants to answer our prayers, so we pray to him. Then we wait on him to answer. Let’s explore this wonderful verbal act of communicating to God.  How do we do this? What do we say? What is the purpose of prayer?

II.. Word Studies

A.. Hebrew

There are at least twelve words for “pray” or “prayer,” but let’s look at two main, related ones. First, the verb: pālal. It refers to intercessory or representative prayer—that is, standing in for someone else. Solomon prayed for his people at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8 and 2 Chron. 6). In those chapters he used the verb twenty times (Mounce, p. 530). The second word is the noun is t^epilla (pronounced t’peal-lah) and is used 77 times. It means “prayer, petition, and intercession.”

B.. Greek

1.. The first verb in this quick study is deomai.

It is pronounced deh-o-my and is used twenty-two times. It is the general word for prayer and can be translated as “pray,” “beseech,” “beg,” or “plead.” The Gerasene demoniac begs Jesus not to torment him (Luke 9:38). A man having leprosy falls to the ground and begs Jesus to heal him (Luke 5:12). Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith, that it would not fail him (Luke 22:32). Paul prayed for the Thessalonians day and night (1 Thess. 3:10). Paul “appeals” to the Galatians that they would become like him (Gal. 4:12). We ask and beseech God to send workers into the harvest (Matt. 9:38) (Mounce, p. 530).

2.. A related noun is deēsis,

It is pronounced deh-ay-sis and is used eighteen times. It means “prayer,” petition, supplication and is based on a person’s need. In the NT it is always addressed to God, and not to a human. It can express an urgent request (1 Tim. 5:5), or a simple request (Luke 5:33; Eph. 6:18), though it seems that prayer in the NT is always urgent. Zechariah prayed a prayer for his barren wife Elizabeth (Luke 1:13). Consider Anna’s prayer for the Messiah (Luke 2:31) or the Philippians’ prayer for Paul (Phil. 1:19), and his prayer for Timothy (2 Tim. 1:3). We are all called to speak prayers for governmental leaders (1 Tim. 2:2) (Mounce, p. 532).

3.. The second verb is proseuchomai and the very common

It is related noun is proseuchē, which is pronounced pross-yew-khay and is used 36 times in the NT. The verb proseuchomai is pronounced pross-yew-khoh-my and appears 85 times in the NT, so they are the most common words for “prayer” and “to pray.” They are combined with the preposition pros, which means, among other things, “towards,” and euchē, which means a “prayer, vow and” even a mere “wish.” But Christians took over the word and directed it only towards the deity: God and Christ (Eph. 1:16; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4).

C. Summary

Sometimes Jesus spent an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Paul was a man of much prayer (Rom. 1:10; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 1:2; Phlm. 4). The noun can refer to a regular habit (Col. 4:2). Combining the noun and preposition teaches us that the Christians leaned in toward him and prayed their requests fully expecting an answer. It is not a mere wish or heartfelt prayer to a pagan deity (Mounce, p. 530-32).

III.. What Is Prayer?

A.. Calling on the name of the Lord

The name stands in for the Lord, expressing his authority and identity clearly. It is not other gods that we call on, but on the God of Israel. In Genesis 4:26, people began to call on the name of the Lord, early in human history. One gets the impression that many more people than the Bible names are calling on him. In Genesis 12:8 Abram built an altar in Bethel and called on the name of the Lord.

In Psalm 4:1, 3, David calls on the name of the Lord and requests God to answer him. In Zephaniah. 3:9, God promises that he will purify the lips of his people, so they can call on the name of the Lord. God will accept the prayer of repentance from a genuinely disciple, but we should pray out of God’s sanctifying power in us, so that we can pray with pure motives and clean hearts.

In 1 Corinthians 1:2, people belong to the church and are sanctified have called on the name of the Lord Jesus. Calling on the name of the Lord (YHWH) and on the Lord Jesus puts the two names on the same level. One of the quickest prayers that sees us calling on his name is “Help, Lord!”

B.. Seeking the Lord

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 if God’s people call on his name, humble themselves and pray and seek his face and turn from their wicked ways, he will answer them and forgive their sins and heal their land. Yes, this promise is delivered to the covenanted people of God, but why not expand the coverage to include other nations like America? I say we can, as long as people realize that America is not ancient Israel. We do not have any God-initiated covenant with him. But our pilgrim founders did make a compact—a statement of commitment and devotion—with God. Pray for our nation.

David’s heart told him to seek God’s face, and his heart responded and sought God’s face (Ps. 27:8). When David pretended to be crazy to escape from betrayal and capture, he sought the Lord, who answered him and delivered him from all of his fears (Ps. 34:4). It is time to seek the Lord while he can be found and call on him while he is near (Is. 55:6).

In the New Covenant, he is always near—and he was always near in the Old, but people did not have his Spirit living in them permanently. We in the New do have the Spirit living permanently forever. Hebrews 4:16 Jesus is our great high priest (v. 15), so we now have access to the throne of grace. Hebrews 10:22 promises us that our hearts are sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies have been washed with our water. Therefore we can draw near to God with a sincere heart with full assurance of faith. Great promise.

C. Summary

In the two NT verses, we pray to the Father (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2; Eph. 1:17; 3:14; Col. 1:3) and to Jesus Christ (Luke 23:42; Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 1:2). This shows the deity of Christ.

IV.. Divine and Human Cooperation

A.. Divine prompting

God commands us to pray. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus issued the command to his disciples to ask, seek and knock. Those are present tense imperatives—keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on asking. Everyone who asks receives, everyone who seeks finds, and everyone who knocks has the door open for him. God is willing to give you good things, if you ask him for them.

We pray through Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:8). Paul thanks God through Jesus Christ the Lord. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14; Eph. 5:20). We pray in the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20). This probably refers to the divinely given prayer languages (archaically called ‘tongues’).

B.. Human need

1.. We pray in the fear and our reverential awe of God (Ps. 145:19; Prov. 1:28-29).

There is nothing wrong with the fear of the Lord, despite what the TV teachers tell us. God is so awesome and wholly other that we better be willing to bow down in reverence before him.

2.. We pray in faith (Mark 11:24; Jas. 1:6; 5:15).

If we waver in our faith and become double-minded, we will lose out on the best God has for us. Instead, you must put your childlike trust in him. Just pray and finish with, “Lord, I trust you. You know my situation or problem better than I do, and you are keen to give me the keys of the kingdom. Thank you, God. I trust in you” (Luke 12:32).

3.. We pray in humility (2 Chron. 7:14; 2 Chron. 33:12-13).

In the latter two verses, Manasseh, a wicked king, prayed humbly to the LORD, who was moved by his plea, so God brought him back to Jerusalem from exile to Babylon. The king purged the idols from the land. It is a defective idea to strut before God and be pushy, as if he is reluctant to answer your prayers. He’s not reluctant to do that, but he is more interested in your character. Don’t push God. Just be humble before him. Yes, the authority of the disciple is important, and you can use it to “smack down” your evil thoughts and satanic attacks, but don’t boss God around.

4.. We pray in repentance (2 Chron. 6:37-28 and Acts 3:19),

Repentance has fallen out of favor among some TV teachers, but repentance for disciples is biblical. In 2 Chron. 6:27-28 God promised a return of the exiles if they truly turn from the wicked ways. In Acts 3:19 Peter tells his fellow Israelites to repent and turn to the Lord. Repentance is, yes, a change of mind, but it is also a turning from one way—your way—and to go in the opposite way—God’s way. In Luke 11:4, followers of the Father are to pray each day for forgiveness.

5.. We pray with all our heart and a heart free from the power of sin (Deut. 4:29; Jer. 29:13).

If we seek God with all our heart and all our soul, we will find him (Deut. 4:29) The latter verse is a great promise. Read Jer. 29:11 too God has great plans for his children. We pray with a heart free from sin (Ps. 66:18-19; Is. 1:15-16; John 9:31). No, we cannot get rid of sin completely out of our lives, but it does not have to dominate us, because we have crucified the old nature (Rom. 6:6-14). If you have an easily besetting or ensnaring sin, then look to Jesus and keep running the race ahead of you, not behind you (Heb. 12:1-2).

In the illustration (parable) of the tax collector and the Pharisee in Luke 18:9=14), the religious guy was so far off base, he did not leave with righteousness or his prayer answered. The sinful tax collector, who realized his great need, left his prayer time righteous. In James 4:3, we don’t have because we don’t ask and when we do ask with pray out of bad motives, to spend God’s answer on our own pleasures. The latter verse says we do not have because we do not ask of God, and when we do ask, with do so with wrong, selfish motives.

6.. We pray with a heart free from doubt (Matt. 21:21; Jas. 1:5-7).

In Matthew 21:21, the disciples marveled that Jesus’s answer about the fig tree withering was done so soon. Jesus said that if they had faith and did not doubt, they too could see such powerful to prayer. For James 1:5-7, read the Word to feed your faith, and ignore your plaguing doubts to starve them. Don’t obsess over them. They are put there by the devil.

7.. We pray with a forgiving spirit (Matt. 6:14-15; Mark 11:25).

Unforgiveness is the greatest hindrance to prayer. Do not swallow the poisoned pill. Instead, ask god to give you grace to forgive the offending person.

8.. We pray with confidence (Eph. 3:12; Heb. 10:19, 35; 1 John 3:21-22).

We can pray in him and through him with confidence, so we have confidence in our union with him (Eph. 3:12). We can confidently enter the Holy Place through the blood of Jesus; by his blood the holy presence of God is accessible by us (Heb. 10:19), and we can be so confident that if our property is confiscated, we understand that our possessions are really heavenly (Heb. 10:35). This understanding comes only through our knowledge of Jesus’s salvation and our union with him. When our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence before God, and so we receive anything we ask. But there is a provision attached: we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And what is his command? To believe in the name of his Son and to love one another (1 John 3:21-23). So faith in Christ and love for his people are his commands. Do we have and use them?

9.. We pray with persistence (Luke 11:5-10; Luke 18:1-7; 1 Thess. 5:17).

In the first passage, Jesus tells the quick illustration about a friend who has a traveler visiting unexpectedly and has no provisions for him. So the friend asks a reluctant neighbor, who finally relents and gives him bread (Luke 11:5-10). Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking, and God will answer you, and he is not reluctant. He is making sure that you grow up with good enough character to receive what he has for you (Luke 11:9-10).

In Luke 18:1-7, Jesus tells the story about the persistent widow and a reluctant judge. After imploring him over and over again, the judge finally gives in. Our Father is not like that reluctant judge. The argument goes from the worst to the best. If the reluctant judge finally gives in, how much sooner will your Father finally answer your prayer.

First Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray constantly. Adopt an attitude of prayer all throughout the day. Whisper prayers to God. Simple prayers can be spoken. “God, help.” God, give me wisdom.” “I pray for that person I see over there.”

See an entire section, below.

10.. We pray with sincerity and simplicity (Matt. 6:5-8; Mark 12:38-40).

There’s no need to pray long, verbose prayers, like the religious do. Just keep your words simple and straightforward, which reveals your faith in God, not your own efforts and self-confidence.

11.. We pray for according to God’s will (Matt. 26:42; 1 John 5:14).

Did you think you would get a blank check, despite what the word-of-faith teachers claim? His name is not like a power of attorney, which you can use for anything you like. No, you have to pray according God’s will. He knows better than you what you need. He will provide the right person or thing or other answer, at the right time.

V.. Postures and Manners and Requests

A.. Postures of prayer

1.. We can stand while we pray (1 Kings 8:22; Neh. 9:4-5).

In Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the temple, he stood in the assembly. Nehemiah and the priests stood on the stairs and prayed loudly, confessing their sins before the people.

2.. We can sit while we pray (1 Chron. 17:16; Luke 10:13).

In the first verse, David went into the temple to pray and thank the Lord for his blessing on him. The cities whom Jesus denounced can’t compare to ancient cities, who would have sat in sackcloth and ashes, as they repented.

3.. We can kneel while we pray (Ezr. 9:5; Dan. 6:10; Acts 20:36).

At evening prayers, Ezra fell on his knees and spread out his hands before the Lord his God. Daniel prayed three times a day on his knees. In Acts 20:36 the church at Ephesus knelt down on the beach to pray with Paul, as he was sent off to his next city, on his way to Jerusalem.

4.. We can bow down while we pray (Exod. 34:8; Pss. 5:7; 95:6).

God made two new tablets of stone, and Moses bowed down and prayed. David went into the house of the Lord and bowed down in the temple. In 95:6, the psalmist encourages the people to come and bow down before the Lord their Maker.

5.. We can lie down on the ground while we pray (2 Sam. 12:16; Matt. 26:39).

When David pleaded with God to spare his son, he lay down in sackcloth, the ultimate sign of humility. His prayer was not answered. In Matt. 26:39, Jesus fell on his face to the ground to pray just before his arrest and trial and crucifixion.

6.. We can lift up hands while we pray (Ps. 28:2; Is. 1:15; 1 Tim. 2:8).

David prayed cried out to God for mercy, and he stretched out his hands to the Lord. Isaiah said that when the people spread out their hand in prayer, God ignores them because the people were rebellious. But notice how lifting up the hands was still assumed to be done. Paul asks everyone to lift up their holy hands as they prayed.

B.. The manner of prayer

1.. We can pray alone and silently (1 Sam. 1:18).

Hannah prayed quietly, to receive a son from the Lord. We can pray alone and aloud (Ezek. 11:13). Ezekiel fell face down and cried out with a loud voice. 3.. We can pray with two or three (Matt. 18:19). Where two or three are gathered in Jesus’s name, he is there in their midst.

2.. We can pray in a large group (Ps. 35:18; Acts 4:23-31).

David said he would give thanks and pray in the great assembly and the throngs. The early church gathered together to pray for boldness, after Peter and John were released by the Sanhedrin. It was a large gathering.

3.. We should pray always and anywhere (Luke 18:1; Rom. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8).

Jesus told a parable to tell people always to pray and not give up. Paul says he prays always for the Romans, in all times. Paul told the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing or stopping. Paul said to pray everywhere for all people, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.

4.. We ask in faith.

In Mark 11:24, Jesus said that if we had the faith as small as a mustard seed, we would see our prayers answered. We also need to speak to the mountain. Speaking in prayer is important. In John 14:12-14, Jesus said that if we ask anything in his name, he will answer. What does it mean to ask in his name? His name stands in for his person and character. You must ask for things according to his person and character. Don’t ask for selfish things with selfish and bad motives.

5.. We ask with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6 says that we are not to be anxious about anything, but with prayer and petition, and thanksgiving, we present our request to God.

6.. We ask in Jesus’s name.

John 14:6, 13 says that we can ask anything in Jesus’s name and he will answer. But be cautious. Jesus’s name stands in for his person and character. We must ask things according to those two aspects. His name is not a blank check. It must be treated with respect and awe. John 15:16 says that the disciples did not choose him, but he chose them. Purpose: so that they would bear fruit, not only in their character, but in their witness. Then whatever they ask of the Father in Jesus’s name, he will give it to them. Does this verse apply to us? Of course. John 16:23-24 says that in those days, his Father would give them anything they ask in Jesus’s name that their joy will be complete. This applies to us, also.

7.. We ask without worry.

In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus gives a long teaching about no anxiety. There’s no need to worry about food, clothing, and shelter. Just seek first his kingdom, then all these things will be added to you (v. 33). In Luke 12:22-31, Luke records the same teaching (probably delivered at different times), and adds that the Father has been pleased to give you his kingdom (v. 32).

C.. Things we pray for

1.. We ask for daily bread (Matt. 6:11).

We can ask for God’s provision, but not out of anxiety, but in faith that our loving Father wants to give us those things, even the entire kingdom (Matt. 6:11)

2.. We ask for forgiveness (Matt. 6:12).

In the Lord’s Model Prayer, God would forgive our debts or trespasses against him, as we forgive our debtors or those who trespass against us. It’s a two-way street God forgives us, as we forgive others (Matt. 6:12). Don’t accept the unbiblical teaching circulating throughout the church, especially in America, that says we don’t need to ask for forgiveness, but just confess that Jesus is our righteousness. Yes, it is beneficial to confess his righteousness, but we also need to confess our sins, as the Spirit prompts us.

3.. We pray for freedom from temptation (Matt. 6:13).

That means that God would keep us from the hour of testing, and also deliver us from temptation and the evil one.

4.. We pray for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).

If our dysfunctional fathers know how to give good gifts or not bad ones, then how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

5.. We pray for wisdom (Jas. 1:5-8):

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (Jas. 1:5-8)

6.. We pray for boldness to witness effectively (Acts 4:29-30).

Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, the highest council and court in Israel, and testified about the name of Jesus. Then they were released and went back to the community and lifted up their prayers to God, so they could boldly proclaim the name of Jesu

7.. We can pray for safety in travel (Ezr. 8:21-23).

Ezra gathered the men before returning to Jerusalem and requested that they pray for a safe journey back to the holy city.

8.. We can pray for healing (Is. 38:2; Matt. 4:23).

In Isaiah 38:2, Hezekiah was told to get his house in order, because he was going to die. He wept and prayed, and God took pity on him. He was healed. In Matthew 4:23, Jesus healed every disease and sickness among the people. Why not ask him to heal your disease or sickness? Go for it! James 5:14-15 says:

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. (Jas. 5:14-15)

Those verses lead over into intercessory prayer (praying for someone else), but I quote it here because we are supposed to pray for healing when we are sick. We pray the prayer of faith.

9.. We can pray to have a child (1 Sam. 1:11).

Hannah, who had been childless, ask God for a child, and her prayer was answered with baby Samuel. Healing infertility is a part of the healing ministry of God, all the way back in Genesis.

Healing Infertility in Genesis

10.. We can pray for anything (John 14:14).

Jesus said: “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” His name stands in for his character and person. You ask for anything that conforms to those two things, not just to fulfill your lusts or spend your answer on your own pleasures or with bad motives (Jas. 4:3).

Let’s emphasize this one again, since in Renewalist circles, there is so much confusion. We must surrender and pray according to God will, not command God:

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. ¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13-15)

When we do pray in accordance with his will, he hears us (v. 14) and he answers us with what we had asked (v. 15). This is a great (conditional) promise.

VI.. Answers to Prayer

A.. Remarkable answers to prayers

Abram prays for his servant to be successful in finding a wife for his son Isaac (Gen. 24:12-27). Moses prays for the defeat of the Amalekites (Exod. 17:8-13).

Gideon gets his answer by asking God to moisten a fleece or keep it dry. God honored his extreme prayer in an extreme circumstance (Judg. 6:36-40). Samson prayed for strength, which had flowed out of his obedience and commitment to the Lord (Judg. 16:25-30). Hannah prays for a child and has Samuel (1 Sam. 1:9-20).

Elijah prays for the resuscitation of a dead child (1 Kings 17:19-23). Elijah calls down fire from heaven on false prophets (1 Kings 18:30-38). Elijah prays for rain (1 Kings 18:41-45; Jas. 5:17-18). Elisha prays for the resuscitation of a dead boy (2 Kings 4:32-35). Hezekiah repents and prays for healing (2 Kings 20:1-7).  Daniel prays for safety in the lions’ den (Dan. 6:10, 16-22)

Zechariah prays for a child (Luke 1:7, 11-17). Next, the criminal on the cross prays for salvation (Luke 23:42-43). Early Christians pray for Peter in prison, who is miraculously released (Acts 12:3-11). Paul and Silas worship and pray, and an earthquake broke their chains and the doors flung open (Acts 16:25-26).

B.. God promises to answer our prayers.

In the Old Testament (Ps. 86:7; Is. 30:19; 58:9): In Psalm 86 David is desperate, so he calls out to God for mercy (v. 6). And then he writes: “When I am in distress, I call out to you, because you will answer me” (v. 7). Let’s have confidence that God will answer our prayers. In Isaiah 30 God pleads with the obstinate nation of Israel. Will they listen? If they do, the people of Jerusalem will “weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help. As soon as he hears, he will answer you” (v. 19). In a previous point, we observed that God answers prayer on the basis of his grace. This verse in Isaiah 30 is yet another promise about this. In the context of true fasting, Isaiah tells people that when they fast for the right things and in the right way, “Then you will call, and I the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, Here I am” (Is. 58:9). This wonderful verse promises God’s presence. He will be near.

Next, we turn to the words of Jesus (Matt. 7:7-11; John 14:13-14); Matthew 7:7-11 says to keep on asking, seeking and knocking. God know how to give good things to those who ask. John 14:13-14 says that if we ask anything in his name, he will answer. What does it mean to ask in his name? His name stands in for his person and character. You must ask for things according to his person and character. Don’t ask for selfish things with selfish and bad motives.

In the New Testament letters (Jas. 1:5-8; 1 John 5:14-15). The latter verses say that if we ask anything according to his will, we know that he hears us, so we know we receive anything we asked for. But our prayers have to conform to his will, especially Scripture. Don’t pray to have another woman’s husband (Exod. 20:14). You do not get carte blanche for your life or prayers. You may be carnal and fleshly and ask amiss (Jas. 4:3).

C.. The basis for God’s answers

God must get the glory. In Numbers 14:13-16, Israel revolted, so God threatened to wipe them out and start over. But Moses pleaded with the Lord, who relented. Egypt would hear about the wipe out, and how would God get the glory? In John 17:1-5, the introduction to the great high priestly prayer, Jesus asked God to glorify his Son, so his Son would glorify the Father. The whole flow of the new Christian faith was God’s glory.

God’s grace is the foundation of answered prayer. In Exodus 32:31-32, Moses pleaded with the Lord to atone for their sins, at the moment they had forged the golden calf. His forgiveness, after punishment, is the grace of the Lord. In Numbers 14:17-19, God relented from wiping out the people, and this relenting = his grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul asked the Lord to take away the thorn in the flesh, but God answered him with grace. “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

God’s faithfulness to his word is the basis for answered prayer. In Exodus 32:12-13, Moses interceded with the Lord, standing in the gap between him and them, because they had just made the golden calf. Moses reminded the Lord of the covenant and promises he had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Would God go back on his word?

In 2 Chronicles. 20:7-9, King Jehoshaphat prayed to the Lord for deliverance from the Moabites, Ammonites, and some Meunites. The king reminded the Lord of his earlier promises (his Word) he had made the Abraham and his descendants. God gave them the victory.

D.. The timing and variety of God’s answers

Sometimes God answers immediately. Elijah prayed for son of the widow of Zarephath, and after stretching himself three times over the boy, the boy revived. The prayer may not have been answered after one try, but it happened in just a minute or two (1 Kings 17:2-21). In Luke 23:43, the criminal on the cross prayed to be with Jesus in paradise, and Jesus replied that on that day his prayer would be answered.

Sometimes there is a delay in an answer. In Daniel 10:1-14, an angel said that as soon as Daniel had begun praying 21 days earlier, the prayer was heard, but the prince of Persia, a demonic person, hindered him, so Michael the archangel had to step in and fight, until the spiritual path was cleared. In Luke 18:1-7, Jesus illustrated God willingness to answer prayer, by a persistent widow. A reluctant judge at first refused to answer her petition, but he relented. So how much more will God, who is not unjust, quickly answer your prayers.

Sometimes the answer exceeds our request. In 1 King 18:24, 36-38, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. God did not answer their prayers, but he did answer his prophet beyond his request, sending down fire to consume the water around the sacrifice. Ephesians 3:20 reveals the wonderful promise that God will answer your prayers more abundantly and fully than we believers could even ask or imagine.

Sometimes God’s answer is different from the request. In 1 Kings 19:1-9, God answered Elijah’s pray by a still small voice, a gentle whisper, not a mighty wind, an earthquake, or fire (lightning).

Sometimes the answer is no. In 2 Samuel 12:15-20, after Bathsheba got pregnant, David prayed for the child to live, after it was born. It did not live. He got up and moved on, surrendering to the will of God. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul prayed for a thorn to be removed, but God said no. His grace was sufficient for the apostle.

Sometimes our prayers require action. In Nehemiah 4:9, Nehemiah prayed for protection and posted guards day and night to meet the threats. Being too supernatural without doing our part is too risky. We must use wisdom after we pray. And may we receive wisdom, too.

VII.. Intercessory Prayer

A.. Word studies

The New Testament does not have a noun or verb for intercession or to intercede as such, but the concept is found in the Latin verb intercedo, which literally means “to go between” or “to come between.” The preposition inter means “between,” “among,” “amid,” and the verb cedo means “go” or “proceed.” So intercession means to come or go between two parties. Christ stands between God and man. He is the mediator.

Therefore the closest concept we have of a “go-between” is the Greek noun mesitēs (pronounced meh-see-tayss and used 6 times), which is usually translated as mediator. Mes– means “among” or “in the middle” and –tēs means “he who” or “anyone who.” So it literally means “he who (stands) among” or “in the middle” in the sense of “stands between.”

B.. Six references to “mediator”

Let’s look at the six scriptural references in the NT to mesitēs. In Galatians 3:19-20 (twice) Moses was the human mediator between God and the people. In 1 Timothy 2:5 Jesus is the mediator between God and humankind. Hebrews 8:6 says that Jesus is the mediator between God and humankind and oversees the superior New Covenant. To repeat, Hebrews 9:15 says that Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, so that those who are called may receive an eternal inheritance, to set them free of the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:24 says that Jesus is the mediator of the better covenant and of the sprinkled blood—his blood.

C.. Summary

In light of these usages, BDAG defines mesitēs thus: “one who mediates between two parties to remove a disagreement or reach a common goal, mediator, arbitrator.” But we have to be cautious about applying this lexicon definition to our churches today. Lexicons usually give the basics. In the NT, there is the theological truth Christ is the mediator between God and humans, and he invites everyone to be reconciled to God. Jesus purchased this reconciliation by his blood, which is a physical go-between between us and God because it pays the penalty of our sins and our sin nature, which is death. Yes, his blood is real, but it is imbued with this theology.

VIII.. Examples of Intercession

A.. Brief intro.

Now let’s look at intercession more broadly at intercession. It is about people. Ultimately Jesus stands in between God and humanity and prays or petitions God for them.

B.. Old Testament

While Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the commands of God, the people rebelled and forged a golden calf. God was about to wipe them out, but Moses interceded for them. God’s reputation was at stake. Would he want to appear like a failure before the Egyptians, whom the Israelites had just left? No, of course not (Exod. 32:11-14).

In Numbers 14:13-19, the people rebelled and asked God for a leader to take them back to Egypt. Moses pleaded with them not to rebel, because the way forward led to the promised land, where there was milk and honey. God threatened to wipe them out and build a new nation with the descendants of Moses. But Moses interceded for them, and God relented.

In Joshua 7:3-13, a soldier took some of the spoils of war when God said to eliminate the whole people. The Israelites lost the battle. Joshua fell down on his face and pleaded with God to spare the Israelites. Had God abandoned them? What will the neighboring tribes of Canaanites think? God told Joshua to get up and listen. God was about to reveal to him why they lost. They judged Achan, and God relented. They were victorious.  Joshua had stood in the gap and interceded for the people.

In Leviticus 16:21, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest stood between God and the people. He was to lay his hands on the goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion in the people—all their sins—and put their sins on the goat’s heads.

The Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 from a NT Perspective

In the sin offering, the priest was to sacrifice the animal and make atonement for the people. He was the mediator or intercessor between God and the offerer (Lev. 5:10).

The Sin Offering from a NT Perspective

Abraham prayed for his nephew Lot (Gen. 18:23-32), so he would be spared God’s judgment. He even interceded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and God assured Abraham that God was acting justly (v. 25). Job interceded for his children (1:5). It is a good thing he did this because soon his sons and daughters would be wiped out in a satanic assault. Always pray for your children.

In 1 Samuel 7:5-11, Samuel interceded for the Israelites, as they were about to face the Philistines. The Israelites won, because God caused thunder that put fear in their enemies.

In 1 Kings 13:1-6, a man of God prophesied judgment on King Jeroboam and against the altar he had set up at Bethel. The king stretched out his hand against him, but it became shriveled. The king implored the man of God to intercede so that his hand would be restored. His prayer was answered.

James reminds his readers that Elijah was a man of like passions—a human being, in other words. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not, for three and a half years. And he prayed again, and it rained (Jas. 5:17-18). This kind of prayer is petitionary more than intercessory, but maybe we can say that Elijah was the mediator and judge between God and the Israelites.

David took a census that he should not have done. God judged him and told him to pick his punishments: three years of famine, three months of being pursued by his enemies, or three days of plague. He chose the latter, but then interceded when he saw the people falling (2 Sam. 24:17). God relented, when David stood in the gap between judgment and the people. Such is the responsibility of the king over his people. The people stand or fall as the king does. Solidarity.

In 1 Kings 8:33-51, Solomon dedicated the temple with prayer. In the middle of his long prayer, a beautiful one, he shifted gears and interceded for the people and their future sins. He asked God to forgive them and send rain of blessing to water the crops; he also prayed God would protect them during war. The king stood in the gap between God and his people.

David prayed for his sick child by Bathsheba, though God did not answer his prayer, since judgment fell on him (2 Sam. 12:16). David prayed for his son Solomon (1 Chron. 29:19).

In two psalms written by King David, he prayed for the people (Pss. 20:1-5; 25:22). Then an unnamed psalmist prayed for Israel, his own nation (Ps. 67:1-5). In Daniel 9:4-19, Daniel interceded in behalf of his people. Jerusalem lay in ruins, and who would rebuild? Have the people repented? “Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!” (v. 19). It is good for God’s people to pray for their own nation, too (1 Tim 2:1-2). We can then live in peace and prosperity and spread the gospel more easily.

Before the exile of the southern kingdom, one of the biggest problems of the ancient Israelites, as they lived in the promised land, was marriages that took them away from following God, so they bowed to the Canaanite deities. Ezra, on his return to Judea and Jerusalem, observed the Israelites making the same mistake. He interceded for them in a beautiful prayer of intercession, standing in the gap between God and the wayward people (Ezr. 9:5-15). Once again, we should also pray for our nation and against present-day sins.

C.. New Testament

Christians are called to pray for their persecutors (Matt. 5:44). This is petitionary prayer, but in one sense they stand in the gap between God and them, so it is intercessory. The church is to pray the Lord of the harvest to send out missionaries (Matt. 9:38; Acts 13:3; Heb. 13:18). The ones who pray petition God to be merciful and send out the messengers of salvation, so the petitioners are also intercessors.

Jesus prayed for Simon:

³¹ “Simon, Simon, watch! Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. (Luke 22:31-32)

Peter’s faith did not completely and irreversibly fail him, so Jesus’s prayer was answered.

In Acts 7:60, Stephen prays for forgiveness over his people, while they were stoning him. In Acts 8:15 Peter and John came to Samaria and prayed for the people to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter prayed for the deceased Dorcas, who was raised up (Acts 9:40). He stood in the gap between her and her death and God. The church prayed for Peter to be released from jail, which happened (Acts 12:5, 12). This is also the church standing in the gap between Peter’s and their enemy, Herod, and asking God to free their lead apostle. Paul prayed for the father of the leading man of the island of Malta, and God healed him (Acts 28:8).

Paul asked the Romans to stand in the gap and pray for him, that he would be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and the offering would be well received by the people there (Rom. 15:31-32). In Ephesians 3:17-19 Paul prays a great prayer for the Ephesians: Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith; they would be rooted and established in love, to have the power and ability to grasp, with the Lord’s people, how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, to know this love that surpasses knowledge. In Ephesians. 6:19-20 Paul asks the church to intercede for him or petition God, so that Paul would speak the mystery of the gospel fearlessly.

In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul prays another great petition, in an act of intercession, and he stands between the Colossians and God. The Colossians are to be filled with the knowledge of his will through all wisdom and understanding, and many other great blessings. Paul prayed for Philemon (4).

Paul commands the Ephesians to pray for all people, particularly political leaders, so that Christians could live in peace (1 Tim. 2:1-3). In v. 5 Paul said that Christ is the mediator between God and humankind, so Paul also asks the Ephesian Christians to be the mediator in prayer between God and the people and politicians. Paul prayed for Timothy constantly (2 Tim. 1:3).

In James 5:14, the elders of the church are supposed to pray for the sick, which means they stand in the gap between their sicknesses and their answered prayer. They petition as intercessors. James 5:16 says that the church is supposed to confess their sins to one another, so that the people would be healed.

D.. Divine intercession

This section requires much study, particularly John 17:6-26, in Jesus’s Great High Priestly Prayer. Christ prayed for his followers (Luke 22:32; John 14:16; 17:6-26). Christ prayed for his enemies, while he was on the cross (Luke 23:34). Christ continually makes intercession and petitions God for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:24; 9:24; 1 John 2:1). He stands in the gap between God and us. The Spirit intercedes for us, as well (Rom. 8:26-27).

E.. The purpose of intercession

Many of these verses were unpacked in the previous sections.

1.. To avert judgment (Gen. 18:23-32; Num. 14:13-19l Deut. 9:16).

This verse comes in the context of a rehearsal of the golden calf disaster. God was going to wipe out the Israelites, but Moses interceded.

¹⁸ Then once again I fell prostrate before the Lord for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the Lord’s sight and so arousing his anger. (Deut. 9:18)

2.. To escape from danger (Acts 12:5, 12; Rom. 15:31)

The church prayed for Peter’s escape, and Paul asked the Romans to pray for him to be protected from the unbelievers (unconverted Jews) in Judea, and the offering he is taking will be delivered safely. God did not answer the prayer about protection, for the Jewish unbelievers did seize him (Acts 21:27-32), but the money did arrive safely for the blessing of the Messianic disciples.

3.. For God’s blessing

In Numbers 6:24-26, Moses prayed a blessing on the Israelites, as he stood between God and them. See also Eph. 3:14-17.

For the Holy Spirit’s power (Acts 8:15-17; Eph. 3:14-17): We need the Spirit to reveal the love of God to our hearts and to minister effectively.

4.. For healing

Elijah prayed for the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-23); see also Acts 28:8; James 5:14-16. In Acts 28, Paul prayed for signs and wonders for evangelism, and James tells us to pray for the sick.

5.. For forgiveness (Ezr. 9:5-15; Acts 7:60):

God will gladly answer a sinner’s genuine repentance and forgive him.

6.. For the ability to rule well (1 Chron. 29:19; 1 Tim. 2:1-2)

All of 1 Chronicles 29 is about David praying over the gifts for building the temple, and he offers a prayer for his son Solomon. Then David died, and Solomon succeeded him. Before his death, however, he interceded for the things and most of all for his son.

7.. For Christian growth

In Philippians 1:9-11 Paul prays that the people would grow in love and discernment. In Colossians 1:10-11 May God empower us to live a life worthy of him and bear fruit in every good work and knowing God better and better. May God empower us to give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the (present and future) inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Paul’s prayer, summarized here, is very deep.

8.. For effective mission work (Matt. 9:38; Eph. 6:19-20)

We are called to pray to the Father for him to send workers out into the harvest. We do not “decree and declare” a revival. We ask the Father to send one. Decreeing and declaring is nowhere found in the NT. It cuts God out of his answering our prayer, and he does not get the glory he deserves. Decreeing and declaring is very self-centered. Instead, the NT teaches us how to pray to our loving Father in heaven. He will send revival. He will empower his people to bring in the harvest.

In Ephesians, Paul asks the church there to pray for him that words to speak boldly may be given to him so he can make known the mystery of the gospel: Jews and Gentiles can both be saved and belong to the same redeemed community.

9.. For the salvation of others

In Romans 10:1-4 Paul prays to God so that his fellow Israelites would be saved. He was praying for his extended family, his people. We need to pray for our kinfolk.

IX. Persistent Prayer

A. Matthew 7:7-11

⁷ Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, to the one knocking it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, whose son will ask for bread, will give him a stone? No one. ¹⁰ Or he asks for a fish, and he will give him a serpent? No one. ¹¹ If therefore you being evil know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask! (Matt. 7:7-11)

B. Comments

This post has a parallel passage in Luke’s Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

1.. Verse 7:

All these commands are in the present tense. So an expanded translation can read as follows: “Continually ask, and it shall be given to you. Continually seek, and you shall find. Continually knock on the door, and it shall be opened to you.” Further, each verb of answer is passive future. So many scholars call this the divine passive, meaning God is behind scenes giving, finding for you and opening the door (Turner).

Sometimes God answers prayers swiftly, and on other occasions and circumstances, it takes time. In the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8), she bothered the unjust judge so often that he gave in. So how much more will God answer swiftly, for he is not like the unjust judge. The finale of the parable: “Won’t God give justice to his elect who cry out to him day and night? Indeed, he is waiting patiently for them to do this! I tell you that he will give justice to them quickly!” (Luke 18:7-8). God is waiting patiently for his people to cry out to him day and night. “But will the Son of Man find faith on the earth?” (v. 8). In other words, will people cry out to him day and night, or will they give up and quit?

Consider Jeremiah 29:13-14: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, (Jer. 29:13-14, NIV)

2. Verse 8:

This verse is a great promise for those who ask, seek, and knock according to God’s will, because they are in right relationship with him. They are kingdom citizens.

Let’s go over to John’s writings and see his promises about prayer. In these next verses, the context is being connected to the vine. Then your asking will not be selfish, but centered on him:

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:16-17, ESV).

In the next verses, we better ask for the purpose of joy:

Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24, ESV)

In right relationship with the Father through the Son, our hearts will not condemn us, so now we can ask with confidence:

¹⁴ And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. ¹⁵ 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)

James teaches us how to pray to God in our life with him:

You ask and do not receive, because you ask  wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3, ESV)

Prayer is all about relationship with our loving Father. He is not a Cosmic Butler or Vending Machine who is there to serve our whimsical desires or even our serious desires. We must talk with him daily. Yes, God will answer prayers when you ask with pure motives, so please ensure that your requests come from the heart of God first; then he will answer them gladly, according to his will.

3. Verse 9-10:

Jesus uses surprising imagery to get his point across. It is a form of hyperbole (pronounced hy-PER-boh-lee), for no earthly father really gives those things to his kids.

4. Verse 11:

The main point is revealed in v. 11. You, being evil or bad, know how to give good gifts to your children. Once again Jesus uses a startling image, which he often does in the Sermon on the Mount and elsewhere in his teaching. No father literally does those things, and the point is once again a “how much more” argument. How much more will your Father not do those things. How much more will your Father give you good things? Even though we have a sin nature, even we can understand the basics of goodness and appropriateness. God is so awesome and omniscient that he knows what you need and will graciously grant you. He is your loving Father.

I like this verse from Luke 12:32, which expands on the “good things” in v. 11 to include the entire kingdom: “Don’t fear, little flock, because your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

C. Questions to ponder

1. In your prayer life, have you persevered (hung in there) and finally received an answer to prayer? Or have you quit? Do you have any long-term “prayer projects”?

2. How might the Golden Rule (v. 12) influence your life for the better?

D. Sources

To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom.

Matthew 7

X.. Application

A.. Right attitude of prayer

You do not need to whine and beg God out of desperation. No. Stand confidently before his throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). Jesus intercedes for you, so that you can stand before God’s throne. Ask confidently. Stand in the gap between God and lost humanity, with all their problems and brokenness and sin. Pray for their salvation. Pray the Lord of the harvest to seen missionaries—you—to the lost, the last, and the least. Prayer changes you, yes, but it also opens the door for God to work and change people’s lives and their and your circumstances. God will intervene on your behalf while you intercede for yourself and others.

B.. How to pray

You now know how to pray more biblically. You can pray with confidence in Jesus’s name and by his sprinkled blood on the heavenly altar. You can rest assured that he heard your prayer. Now all you have to do is wait for his answer. It may come in a few minutes or a few years. But wait for it. Do not give up. Be like the persistent widow, who always prayed, without ceasing and without giving up.

C.. Confidence

Prayer flows out of confidence before God that he will answer because we no longer have an uncondemned heart (1 John 3:19-24; Rom. 8:1); and we know him so intimately that we find out from him what is his will is and then we pray according to it (1 John 5:14-15); we pray with our Spirit-inspired languages and our native languages (1 Cor. 14:15-16). But that’s what all disciples should do; however, too often theory outruns practice. Pray! For a theology on how to respond when God does not answer our prayers, as when James was executed by Herod.

D.. What and who to pray for

Prayer can be (1) for oneself, like overcoming sins and vices in your heart and mind or receiving wisdom from above (James 3:17) and not being double-minded about receiving it (Jas. 1:5-8). But (2) it is also for the needs of the community. It was coming under attack, so prayers were offered. Praying for boldness to reach out and spread the word is wonderful. We should do it more often. (3) Further, prayer brings down the manifest presence of God. God is omnipresent (everywhere) of course, but his presence can make itself felt and experienced. God showed up and shook the place where they were gathered.

E.. Illustration

I heard this many years ago in private conversation. Prayer can be visualized like a pebble in a pond, and the ripples go outward. (1) It starts with oneself and one’s needs; (2) then it goes outward to one’s own family and (3) to the Christian community (your home church). (4) It goes out to evangelism and the needs of the world around the community, (5) and finally to parts around the globe. But this prayer here in Acts varies the order, which you may do, if you like. That is, you may pray for yourself last.

F.. Warning against decrees and declarations

Prayer is ultimately and most deeply a conversation with God. It is not about removing him out of the picture, as if we can speak things into existence. Only God can speak like this. He is not obligated to answer our decrees and declarations. By my observation, he probably will not because he opposes the proud and arrogant (1 Peter 5:5-6). Jesus in the four Gospels and the apostolic community in Acts and the epistles taught us to pray to our living and loving Father. They did not teach us to decree and declare. James says Elijah prayed for the rain to stop and then start (Jas. 5:17-18), while originally it appears that the prophet did not pray out loud but got in a posture to pray (1 Kings 18:41-45).

In other words, the NT restricts our authority and places it under God’s and his Son’s authority. Even the OT prophets, if we look at the context of their written books and records about them, did not act on their own. They got their words from the Lord and then spoke them out. God initiates, and then they spoke.

G.. Finally, we pray according to his word, and God answers.

We do not decree and declare and then God obeys our words. No. Instead, God tells us what to pray in his word, as we listen to the Spirit, and then we follow him and obey his word and pray. Praying according to his word is not my private interpretation of a verse.

Example:

“Solomon was the richest king of his generation! I can be rich too! God, give me billions of dollars! Just like that! No work! Just take up an offering! Give it to me!”

No, sorry.

James says we do not have what we ask for because we ask with impure motives and will spend it on our fleshly desires (Jas. 4:2-3).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Works Cited