The Two Sides of Prayer
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - Oftentimes prayer is the most neglected area in a person’s life. The lack of prayer has weakened our spiritual body and because of this we often find ourselves spiritually feeble, without strength and even the crumbling of our spiritual foundation. If we would stop and look at ourselves, we will realize that most of our trouble and problems can be traced back to the lack of prayer. We have taken prayer out of schools, and we see the decay and erosion that has taken place, school shootings are and every increasing fact today. We have taken prayer out of our judicial system, and we see the effects of that with the decisions that are made in the Supreme Court. The neglect of prayer has affected all areas of life, not just the Christian life but life in general.
So often we treat prayer as a shopping list for God to fill. However, prayer is two sided the asking and the answering, the request and the receiving. You have no doubt heard the sayings there are two sides to every coin, every story has two side, truth is there are two sides of the street and there are two sides to every question. The number 2 conveys the meaning of a union, division/separation, or the verification of facts by witnesses.
SCRIPTURE: - Luke 11:1 says, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” This is the ultimate question:- Lord, teach us to pray!
Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not”.
PRAYER: -
The number 2 conveys the meaning of a union, division/separation, or the verification of facts by witnesses. A man and woman, though two in number, are made one in marriage Genesis 2:23 - 24. There is also a union of two (2) between Christ and the church 1 Corinthians 12. The Bible is separated into two Testaments (Old and New). His agreements with humanity are divided into Old and New Covenants. Adam, the first man, sinned and brought death and destruction into the world. Jesus, however, as the second (or last) Adam brings the hope of the resurrection and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:21 - 22, 45 - 49). Those who ultimately refuse to repent and obey God will be put to death forever by being thrown into the lake of fire, which is called the second death Revelation 21:8. The testimony of at least 2 people was needed in the Old Testament to convict someone of a crime or sin. Two Witnesses, in the End Time, will appear on the world scene to testify and uphold the truth of God against the Beast and the False Prophet Revelation 11. Jesus sent the disciples out in groups of 2 so that they could not only testify about his teachings and miracles, but also be witnesses of those who accepted or rejected the gospel Mark 6:7 - 13.
Two can also convey comparison and contrast. The Old Covenant was based on physical blessings for obedience while the New is based on those that are spiritual. In the Old Testament, physical circumcision was required so that a person could qualify to be part of God's people, while the New requires circumcision of the heart. God formerly required obedience only to the "letter" of his laws but now calls upon man to obey their spiritual intent as well.
There are two sides to every prayer the human and the divine, man’s side and God’s side, the asking and the answering, the request and the receiving. The two aspects of prayer are contained in Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” This means, of course, that there are two persons involved in prayer the one who prays and the One who answers. It also means that prayer is conditional: the answer to prayer is conditional upon our praying. Matthew 18:19 says, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven”.
SIDE ONE IS HUMANITY’S PART: THE REQUESTING, ASKING SIDE OF PRAYER
What is humanity’s part in prayer? Is it some difficult and complicated process? Is there some formula that we have to learn? The simplest and most complete definition of the human side of prayer is contained in the three words “Call unto me”. Prayer is calling upon God, the creature calling upon the Creator, the child petitioning its father. These three words tell us three things about prayer: -
The source of prayer. Where does it begin? So many times, we think prayer begins with us because we pray when things go contrary in our lives and we seek Gods help or we are asking for a certain blessing; however, prayer begins with God. He makes the invitation and by the Holy Spirit, He causes us to prayer and seek Him. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”.
The simplicity of prayer. I have another saying written in my Bible that says, “If you cannot make a child understand the Gospel then your presentation of it is too complicated”. The Bible says “Call unto me..” You can’t get much simpler than that all you have to do is call. 2 Samuel 22:4 says, “I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies; 1 Chronicles 4:10 says, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested”. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”. Call simply means cry out like a child calling for their father, shout, yell to attempt to get someone’s attention, to contact. The Biblical meaning of call is to belong to Christ, This prominent biblical term is used with particular theological significance in three ways: in connection with worship, with election, and with vocation. one of the biblical words associated with the theme of election. In both Hebrew and Greek, "call" can be used in the sense of naming and in biblical thought to give a name to something or someone was to bestow an identity like Child of God. To "call on" God is to worship Him. So often we make it hard. WATCH THIS: - my wife does not say when she wants me “My darling beloved husband who provides for the house and protects us and cuts the grass and takes out the trash I need something – she simply says Mel”. Jesus said simply “Call unto me”. One song writer said it like this “Call Him up and tell Him what you want”.
The scope of prayer. Who can pray? How far does prayer reach? What are the limits of prayer? The answer to these questions is: ANYONE can pray Romans 10:12-14 says, “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher”.
ABOUT ANYTHING Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”. ANYWHERE Matthew 18:19-20 says, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. AT ANY TIME Psalm 55:17 says, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice”.
SIDE 2 GOD’S PART: THE ANSWERING SIDE OF PRAYER
Whenever humanity responds to God’s invitation to call unto Him, immediately there is a response on God’s part. It is impossible to pray and not get an answer, for God says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” That is a promise!!!
The question now becomes what kind of an answer will God give you?
There are 5 answers God gives. The number 5 represents in scripture God’s grace. Grace is mentioned 318 times in Scripture, 3+1+8 =12 which is Divine Government. Five is the number of grace, and multiplied by itself, which is 25, is 'grace upon grace' John 1:16. The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments. The first five commandments are related to our treatment and relationship with God with the remaining one concerned with our relationship with other people. There are 5 primary types of offerings God commanded Israel to bring to him. 1.) Burnt Offering 2.) Sin Offering 3.) Trespass Offering 4.) Grain Offering and 5.) Peace Offering. There are five books of God's Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) commonly referred to as the Pentateuch ('Penta' means five). The 4 Gospels plus Acts equals five books that, as a set, can be designated as "the New Testament Pentateuch." They reveal Jesus' teachings concerning the Law and the Prophets. The apostle John wrote 5 books centered on the grace of God and eternal life (the gospel of John, 1John, 2John, 3John and Revelation).
Then within each type of answer there are 4 subtypes or possibilities of that answer. The number 4 represents creation. On the fourth day God completed the material universe. He brought into existence the sun, the moon, and all the stars. Their purpose was not only to give off light, but also to divide the day from the night on earth, thus becoming a basic demarcation of time. They were also made to be a type of signal that would mark off the days, years and seasons of which there are 4. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for 'seasons' is moed (Strong's Concordance #H4150), which literally translated is "appointed times" (divine appointments) in reference to God's festivals. The fourth Commandment commands we are to remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy. 5+4=9 9 is the number of Divine Completeness 3 = fulness or completeness 3x3=9.
Let’s look at the 5 answers and the 4 possibilities.
1. A DEFINATE ANSWER – “I will answer thee” You cannot pray and not get an answer, for here is God’s guarantee about it He said “I will answer thee” that is a promise, and He cannot lie. My wife might call me, and I may not hear her so she will not get an answer, but God says, “I will answer thee”. If we can learn to just take Him at His word what a difference that would make in our lives.
A. The answer is DIRECT. Isaiah 65:24 says, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear”.
B. The answer may be DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE EXPECT. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”.
C. The answer may be DELAYED. Daniel 10:12-13 says, “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia”. Sometimes the devil hinders as with Daniel, a certain sin blocks our prayers your prayers or maybe God is just saying “Stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord”.
D. Sometimes our prayers are DENIED. Sometimes God just says ‘No!’ 1 Kings 19 Elijah felt he was alone and prayed to die but God had something else for him to do. It was a good thing that God did not answer his prayer or all of our prayers in the way we want Him to.
2. The answer is PERSONAL - “I will answer thee”. The greatest answer to prayer is God’s revelation of Himself not the blessing that we want but an enrichment of our close walk and fellowship with Him. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. Paul received a far more wonderful answer to his prayer than if God had removed the thorn; and just as God’s answer to Paul was a personal one, so His answer to you and me is personal.
3. The answer will be VISIBLE. “and show thee great and mighty things”. Matthew 6:6 says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly”. God will demonstrate His mighty power when we pray.
4. The answer will be MIGHTY (MIND BLOWING). Joshua 10:12-14 says, “Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel”. Matthew 19:26 says, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible”.
5. The answer will be GREATER than you expected. Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”.
CLOSING: - In my reading I came across this poem by an unknown author but it is so true. Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, 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 an eye, When none but God is near. –Author unknown.
When we pray as the poem says with our whole heart’s desire and life in our words God id standing there with His arms outstretched listening to every word we utter and even the ones we can’t and He will answer you according to His Will and His riches in glory. You don’t have to beg Him, you don’t have to promise Him anything, you do not have to join something. You do not even have to be somebody. You can be like a poor tax collector. All you have to do is trust Him, and He will answer you THAT’S A PROMISE!!!
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
