LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY
By W. Frank Walton
"Prayer is the voice of faith, the breath of the soul."
"Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a
certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to
Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples'" (Luke 11:1). Jesus' disciple was impressed with His
practice of prayer. As a religious Jew, he had prayed all his
life. Yet, he felt a need to learn more of Jesus' mighty example
in prayer. It is more than merely repeating rote words. Prayer
communes with God by expressing the heart's deepest desires
(Romans 10:1).
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record 15 times Jesus
prayed. Luke stresses Jesus' humanity as the "Son of Man'' and
uniquely records 7 occasions of prayer not found in the other
gospel accounts. Jesus prayed at every important event in his
life, and all the time in between. If He needed to pray, how
much more do we! His life of virtue and spiritual power towers
above our moral weakness and failure. To live like Christ, we
must learn to pray like Christ. We can discover His source of
spiritual power. Harry Pickup, Sr. told a story of a child's
Bible class in which the children were drawing a Bible story
picture. A little boy got down between the chairs and knelt on
the floor. When the teacher asked him what he was doing, he
said, "I'm asking Jesus' help to draw this picture." We need the
childlike faith to say with that unnamed disciple, "Lord, teach
us to pray!"
THE FOUNDATION OF JESUS' PRAYING
An intimate relationship with God was foundational
to Jesus' power in prayer. Jesus taught and modeled prayer in
approaching God as a dear Father "In this manner, therefore,
pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." (Matthew
6:9; cf. Luke 11:2). Prayer is a family affair. God is
approached as our personal Father in heaven. From His youth,
Jesus knew Jehovah God was His real Father, not Joseph (Luke
2:49). In His greatest crisis in Gethsemane, Jesus cried out to
His "Abba Father'' (Mark 14:36). There's no record in ancient
Judaism of any Jew calling God "Abba.'' This was the first word
a little child would learn and call to his "papa.'' It is a word
of intimate trust, love and endearment. Is this how you see your
Father in heaven? He should not be an abstract idea but a real
spiritual Father.
Have you been born again and adopted into God's
family? A close family tie is essential to claim the right of
prayer. You must be in a right relationship with God as His
child "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ....And because you are sons, God has sent forth the
Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
(Galatians 3:26-27;4:6; cf. Rom. 8:14-16). If you haven't been
born again and adopted into God's family, you don't have God as
your spiritual Father. If you won't listen to God by obeying His
gospel call, He won't listen to you (Proverbs 29:9; 1 Pet.
5:5b).
Have you ever wished you had someone you were
really close to that you could literally talk anything over
with? Is this how you think of your loving, caring Father in
heaven? God wants His children to come to Him anytime, anywhere,
about anything of concern. "For the eyes of the LORD are on the
righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers....casting all
your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 3:12; 5:7).
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr. once approached his father, FDR,
in the Oval office with a serious personal problem. After
explaining the problem at length, FDR looked up and said,
"Thanks for stopping by" and continued to work at his desk. He
was too busy and distracted to listen. FDR, Jr. often had to
schedule an appointment to see his father. God offers supreme
love and undivided attention in prayer.
We must confess and forsake sin to maintain the
benefits of this "family talk'' (Psalm 66:18; James 4:8).
Confession in prayer means God will forgive and abundantly
pardon (1 John 1:9).
THE FREQUENCY OF JESUS' PRAYING
1. A Regular Habit. Jesus made regular time to
commune with His Father, even when busy and popular with the
masses. "The report went around concerning Him all the more;
and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by
Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the
wilderness and prayed" (Luke 5:15-16). When things were going
His way, He still needed to stay close to heaven. He made time
to break away from His busy schedule. If we're too busy to pray,
we're too busy!
Regular prayer is a reservoir of the soul to
replenish our spiritual energy. "Let us therefore come boldly
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace
to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Let nothing stand
between you and regular time of prayer. "Pray without ceasing"
(1 Thessalonians 5:16). It's been said, "Seven days without
prayer makes one weak." We need to be "continuing steadfastly in
prayer" (Romans 12:12). This helps to keep things in eternal
perspective. It also helps us to stay close to God. Christians
usually do not fall away from God overnight, but it is a gradual
drift. The frequent practice of fervent, private prayer is the
best training to lead public prayer in the worship assembly.
Husbands and wives can strengthen their marriage and
spirituality by praying together. Parents need to pray regularly
with their children, such as at the supper table.
After a demanding day, Jesus needed to pray first
thing in the morning more than He needed sleep. "Now in the
morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out
and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (Mark
1:35). Like Jesus, we can begin each day with prayer to help us
meet the day's duties: ``Lord, help me to be a stronger
Christian. Help me to be faithful to you. Help me to be a good
example and deal with each situation and person as you would
have me to.'' When we feel burdened with a load of care, let us
rise up early and follow Jesus to a private place of prayer.
Jesus withdrew in the late evening to a mountain to
pray alone (Matthew 14:23). Jesus closed the day with prayer.
"Stitch in each day with prayer and it won't unravel in the
middle." Pray at night and review the day. Was your life
pleasing to God? End the day with your last thoughts of God.
Parents, a good time to pray with your children is at bedtime.
2. At Critical Times. In all the important events
of His life, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Do we?
Consecration. "When all the people were baptized,
it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He
prayed, the heaven was opened" (Luke 3:21). His baptism was the
time of acceptance and consecration to His public mission of
saving sinners (Matthew 3:13-15). It was a righteousness act in
God's will that fulfilled His identification with sinners that
He came to save. He was found in prayer. Also, Luke 9:18-51
shows Jesus consecrated in prayer (vv. 18,21-22). This pivotal
time marks the final home stretch toward the crucifixion in
Jerusalem.
We need to be found in prayer when we consecrate
ourselves to God's will, such as at baptism, the weekly
partaking of the Lord's supper and each important task (1
Corinthians 11:23-32; Romans 12:1-2,12; Acts 6:4; 13:1). Each of
us has a mission from God, consecrated to obeying God at all
times. Pray for help and wisdom to be faithful. God's work can
only be done in the strength God supplies (Ephesians 6:10-13;
Philippians 4:13).
Decision. "Now it came to pass in those days that
He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in
prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to
Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named
apostles" (Luke 6:12-13). Jesus spent all night praying over
this momentous decision of selecting the apostles. Jesus would
pour His life into theirs. They would carrying on the gospel
cause after His departure. The eternal destiny of millions is at
stake. His vigil of prayer insured His action would be in
harmony with the Father's will.
We may pray all night at a hospital emergency room
for a loved one at death's door. Yet, we also need to pray long
and hard over important decisions like: who to date, what
college to attend, what career to pursue, when and where to make
a job move, how to discipline a child, who to have as friends,
how and when to approach a sinner with gospel, etc. After
prayer, it will be a more spiritual decision in harmony with
God's will.
Temptation. In Luke 9:12-17, Jesus feeds the
5,000. "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to
come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again
to the mountain by Himself alone" (John 6:15). He could have
been their King, which would be a tempting short-cut from the
cross. Jesus overcame temptation by seeking refuge in prayer.
"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the
mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone
there" (Matthew 14:23).
When we're tempted to sin, the last thing the Devil
wants us to do is to pray to God. Temptation is designed to
seduce us away from God (James 1:14). Prayer keeps us close to
God, removes the deceptive mask of sin and blunts its alluring
pull. Sin will keep us from praying or praying will keep us from
sin.
Suffering. After enduring the cross' agony, Jesus
prayed. "And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He
said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit'" (Luke
23:46). This was the nighttime prayer learned by every Jewish
child from Psalm 31:5. Jesus wasn't bitter toward God in His
suffering. He died with a trusting prayer on His lips. Prayer
cushioned the jagged edge of death. He clung to God through the
ordeal. Jesus shows us suffering can be overcome if we give
ourselves in total trust to God's will.
When we suffer pain or disappointment, don't become
bitter at God. "When it's hardest to pray, pray hardest." Remain
faithful to the work He has given you to do. With a trusting
prayer on our lips, God can see us through the very worst of
times. "Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:6-7).
THE FACETS OF JESUS' PRAYING
Of course, the sinless Christ had no sins to
confess, as we must do in prayer. Yet, notice these elements of
His praying we can imitate:
1. Praise. "Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and
said, 'I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You
have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed
them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your
sight" (Luke 10:21). After the successful preaching mission and
return of the seventy disciples, Jesus praised God for His
perfect plan to save humble, teachable men in contrast to the
worldly wise.
We praise what impresses us, whether it be a
beautiful day, a magnificent sunset or a delicious meal.
Contemplating the glorious ways and works of God summons
spontaneous praise from our heart. Praise extols, honors,
reveres and magnifies God's Person. "Hallowed be Your Name"
(Luke 11:2). The more we know God, the more we delight in
adoring Him in prayer. Praising God recognizes and rejoices in
the perfections of God's character. His greatness is beyond
telling.
2.Thanksgiving. Before feeding the 5,000, Jesus
sought God's blessing on the food and gave thanks for the food
(Lk. 9:15-17; Jn. 6:11). He gave thanks for small things, like 5
loaves and 2 fish. We need to thank God for all our many
blessings, even little things. "In everything give thanks, for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1
Thessalonians 5:18). What are you truly thankful for? Every good
thing we have comes from God. Worry distorts our memory and we
forget how blessed we are. Prayers seasoned with thanksgiving
help us to keep a grateful perspective.
3.Supplication. "And He was withdrawn from them
about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying,
'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me;
nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' Then an angel
appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in
agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like
great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke
22:40-44). Jesus staggers at the ordeal of the cross. His
darkest hour found Him in prayer. He requested 2 things: to be
spared the cross and to have God's will done. God said "no'' to
the first but gave strength to carry out the second.
God gives what is best to our heartfelt requests.
God wants to bless us with our requests in His will (1 John
5:14-15). He answers all requests by either "yes," "no," or
"wait." The glory and honor of God should motivate all our
requests. All purely selfish prayer is wrong (James 4:3). Prayer
is not using God selfishly as the big bellhop in the sky.
Praying in God's will gets us in a position so He can use us. It
has been said, "Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven
as it is furthering God's will on earth. Prayer is not
overcoming God's reluctance, but it is laying hold of His
willingness."
4.Intercession. "Then Jesus said, 'Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they do' (Luke 23:34).
Jesus interceded for his tormentors as prophesied (Isaiah
53:12). Surrounded by hateful rejection, He lovingly cared for
them to pray for their spiritual welfare.
When we're wronged, leave it to God's justice to
settle the score (1 Peter 2:18-23). We cannot harbor hate or
grudges against those who abuse and persecute us, when we carry
their name before God's throne in prayer (Matthew 5:44).
Intercession for those who have hurt you can liberate and
cleanse your soul of resentment and anger.
As Jesus interceded for Peter (Luke 22:31-32),
pray for those struggling in life's trials and temptations . Be
a blessing to someone -- specifically pray for them. It will
help and encourage them as nothing else will (2 Corinthians
1:11).
WITH JESUS IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER
Prayer is more than words. Jesus' masterful example
showcases the power of prayer. Like Jesus, calling home to our
Father in heaven will be a refuge and solace for our soul. We
learn by doing, just as we learn to walk by walking. We learn to
pray by praying, as we follow the Master's teaching and example.
If we can help in your spiritual growth, contact us
at WFrankWalton@juno.com.
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