What does it mean to Pray
Intro
Can we as individuals put God into action? Can we move the hand of God into Divine interaction? If so, How much faith does it take to move the hand of God? What is required from us to move the hand of God or to put God into action on our behalf?
Have you ever had an extremely bad day, week or maybe year? Have you ever sometimes wondered where is God when your whole life seems to be crashing in around you? Did you ever just want to cry out to God because you thought he just couldn’t be listening to your pleas?
What does it mean to Pray
Prayer is the means by which God is justified in divinely intervening in any situation. If we do not pray, the situation will follow its natural course.
Who is the controlling force of the Universe? Who is in charge of the Universe? Whose will decides the course the Universe will follow? God is the divine will that makes anything happen that makes any difference in the Universe. That is why we need to pray for Gods will to be done, agreeing with him that his will be done.
John 14:13 says, “and whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” To take the liberty and rephrase this verse just a little: “whatever we ask by my authority and command, acting in my behalf for the advancement of my kingdom, this will I do, so that the Father in heaven will be glorified by me the Son.”
It is vital that we see this very important point: it is not that we wait for God, but that he waits for us to come into agreement with his will and to speak it in prayer. Prayer is not the twisting of Gods arm in order to make him do what he does not want to do. Prayer is finding God’s divine will, coming into agreement with it, and declaring that his will be done in that situation. As we learn to find Gods will and pray it, we become instruments in the hand of God.
In Chemistry, Physics, the sciences, we learn for every action there is a reaction. This is one of God’s physical laws that can be trusted to happen each and every time that we attempt any experiment. The same for his spiritual truth, God cannot divinely intervene till we do our part in seeking his will through prayer.
There are four principles that keep us praying even if we are weary, discouraged and wonder “does my praying really make any difference”? Do I have enough faith to move the hand of God?
Principle One
Most of us know that God can answer prayer. The scriptures seem to point that by the earnest, diligent, seeking of god is the greatest expression of faith. If you really do have faith, you will diligently seek God. If you do not have faith, you will diligently not seek God. Lets look at Hebrews 11:16, “but without faith it is impossible to seek him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”. We know by this verse that it does take faith to move the hand of God.
The problem is not that we have faith but do we have enough faith. I want to prove to you that you have enough faith to move the hand of God because when you believe that, you will diligently pray.
Turn in your bibles to Luke 5:1-8. Here we find that a great crowd of people had followed Jesus to the Sea of Galilee. This wasn’t uncommon for Jesus, the crowds always gathered when Jesus spoke. However, it was uncommon for these fishermen who were cleaning their nets after a long unfruitful night of fishing to be surrounded by a crowd. The men from the two boats were astonished to see the great crowd of people following such an insignificant man; or was he so insignificant. Peter obviously didn’t think so. Jesus asked him to row his boat a little from shore so he could more easily speak to the crowd. Without question Peter obeyed, though he was exhausted from working all night. Peter heard the word from the master’s mouth and obeyed without question. I think, Peter, knew that he was in the presence of someone great.
After Jesus finished speaking, he told Peter to go out a little further into deeper waters and launch his nets one more time. This time Peter wasn’t so obliged to grant Jesus’ request. After all, he and his friends knew about fishing. They knew when to go out and when to give up and try another day. They were the experts. They were out all night breaking their backs, to no avail.
Probably with a doubtful smirk, Peter obeyed the request of the master. Why not, one more try wouldn’t kill him, to listen to this one that spoke with such authority and command. Luke 5:5, Peter says, “I’ll let my nets down on your command”. Don’t you think Peter couldn’t wait to tell Jesus, “I told you so”? I don’t think Peter was a pillar of faith right at this moment, But wait, look what happened when Peter obeyed Jesus! His nets were so full of fish he had to call to shore for his partners to come and help haul the catch in. It took two boats to bring in all the fish that Peter’s nets held.
What does this tell us about our faith? If we have just a little faith and obey the request of Jesus, our lives will be so blessed that the outpouring of blessing will flow out of our lives into the lives of those around us. Therefore, even though we have doubt we must obey the words of Jesus. We must do what Jesus tells us to do; to ask, seek and knock; to pray without ceasing; to diligently seek him; to make our requests known to him; and many other passages of scripture. There is no doubt what we are commanded to do. When we do our part then Jesus can do his part.
Peter obeyed, even though he doubted. Just that little bit of faith that prompted Peter to obey was just enough faith, in this situation, to move the hand of God. So, principle one would be; if you have enough faith to obey, you have enough faith to move the hand of God. Put this principle into action.
Principle Two
For the second principle, let’s look at Acts 12:1-17. The Roman Emperor Herod had executed James, the brother of John. Herod Agrippa, as we know from history, was the grandson of Herod the great. Herod was a zealous practitioner of the Jewish religion. James was the first apostle to be martyred. When Herod saw that the Jewish aristocracy was pleased with the death of James, he arrested Peter and intended to put him to death after the Passover. Something happened, that changed Herod’s plans! Records show that, “prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God, for him,” Acts 12:5.
There seems to be a difference between the imprisonment of James and of Peter. I don’t see it recorded that the church prayed for James like they prayed for Peter. It’s possible that the church could have been presumptuous that God would take care of matters when James was in jail. After all Peter and John were released from jail, without little effort, after healing the lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:21). On another occasion Peter and other disciples were divinely delivered from prison during the night when an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates and let them out (Acts 5:12-19).
In these situations the scripture didn’t record that the church put much effort into prayer: God just did it! We don’t know the details behind the activities of the church. Perhaps they assumed intervention would happen because God helped when it was needed. We just don’t know the facts: However, I do not know that you or I can presume upon the mercy and faithfulness of the Lord. Today, what we call faith, isn’t much more than presumption. Most faith today is nothing but a naïve attitude, “God will take care of us”; “God is a good God and won’t let anything bad happen to us”; or “I don’t need to put forth extra effort in prayer, God knows what I need”.
Now I ask you, if this were the case, why did Jesus teach us how to pray (such as the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6)? Why did Jesus spend so much of his time during his ministry in prayer? Why did Jesus warn his disciples, “watch and pray unless you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41)? Why should we pray if our prayers don’t make any difference?
We don’t know if James died a martyr because the first church presumed that God would take care of the situation. We, however, do know that the church went into fervent action praying for Peter when he was thrown into jail. Possibly the church learned from its mistake when regarding the martyrdom of one of its saints in James. Peter wasn’t going to be there second mistake. They prayed without ceasing! (Acts 12:5,12).
Can we say without a doubt that the first church had such great faith, God intervened on their behalf and released Peter from jail? According to scripture, it appears that their faith wasn’t any stronger than ours. After Peter was released he hurried to John Mark’s house where many of the believers had gathered to pray. When Peter arrived at the house and the servant girl answered the door, the believers didn’t believe the servant girl when she said Peter was at the door. They thought she had lost her marbles or maybe saw an angel or ghost!
The situation here is, the first church, though praying without ceasing, didn’t know if God was going to answer their prayers? Their faith was not that of great saints but feeble and unsure. They didn’t know if their prayers would make a difference but they had enough faith to pray. Friends, that is the difference, they prayed!
This is the second principle: if you have enough faith to pray, then you have enough faith to move the hand of God. The first was, if you have enough faith to obey as Peter had when he launched his nets out by Jesus’ command. The second is, if you have enough faith to pray as the early church did when Peter was miraculously delivered from jail, then you have enough faith for God to move through and accomplish what he longs to do for you. It’s very important to understand this, because when you do, you won’t let anything stop you from praying. You will develop a consistent prayer life and prayer will become a vital necessity.
Principle Three
Has there ever been a time in your life when you prayed as hard and sincerely, as you knew how, and yet you did not hear anything from God. You know what I’m talking about, most of us have felt God was silent or absent for a time. If so, then you know that God’s silence is one of the greatest tests of faith.
Let’s look at Matthew 15:21-23. The woman from Caanan who had a demon-possessed daughter experienced silence from the master. This woman was a Gentile and she approached Jesus who was a Jew. This wasn’t proper protocol. Gentiles didn’t approach Jews and ask them for help because they knew the Jews wouldn’t associate with them. This wasn’t a Gentile man but a Gentile woman. This was unheard of behavior, such boldness and how unmannerly of this woman.
However, she was a Gentile woman on a mission and she knew exactly what was wrong with her daughter. She also knew who Jesus was and that he was the only hope for her daughter’s condition. Jesus was the only one who could cast out a demon and make her daughter whole.
When she asked Jesus for help, he surprisingly didn’t answer her. He didn’t even look in her direction. He completely ignored the woman’s cries for help. What do you do when you pray and get no response from God? What do you do when God seems to ignore your pleas for help? Do you keep on praying, or do you shrug your shoulders and say, “Well I gave it a shot”, and go on with other business.
When I was younger, I pleaded for God to take away my speech impediment. Finally, when I knew I couldn’t stand my suffering for another minute, I rejected God! I told God I didn’t need him and I was taking control of my life. This is my life leave me alone! Well, my life was a struggle for 15 years before I came to my senses. I didn’t do it right. I really messed up. God took me back, even after 15 years of toiling in sin. I gave up on God but he didn’t give up on me!
Now, notice this woman’s attitude. She was not to be denied and she was persistent. She was desperate for the help of the only man she knew that could help. So, when Jesus ignored her, she put up such a commotion the disciples became embarrassed and annoyed with her. She threw all of her self-esteem and pride aside and she begged, pleaded and wailed (at a very loud volume I presume) for help.
Now, I can identify with the disciples in this manner. They were such a compassionate bunch. They were really touched by this woman’s cries for help. They were so moved that they asked Jesus to get rid of this woman. The disciples complained, ”Lord, can’t you do something with this woman? She keeps crying and making a big disturbance. Get rid of her, please!”
Finally, Jesus responds to the woman, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel”, Matthew 15:24. What a let down! Would you have given up at this point and gone home? Not this woman, she was not going to take no for an answer. She fell at his feet and begged for all she was worth, “Lord, help me”. How does Jesus respond to her? Look at Matthew 15:26-27, he answered her and said, “it is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to dogs”. And she said, “truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs, which fall from the master’s table”.
Now Jesus, what is up with that? Don’t you think you were just a little condescending, a little rude, a little uncompassionate. You see, Jesus answered her the way any other Jew would have answered a Gentile.
Now, I would have done as I did when I was a junior high boy. Well, Jesus if that’s the way you want to be, I don’t need you. I’m out of here! I’ll do it my way Jesus! This woman was desperate for her daughter’s welfare.
Now, all of us parents can identify with her situation. She knew her only help was in Jesus, so she humbled herself even further. She flung herself upon the mercy of the Lord, “I know you Jews don’t like Gentiles. I know I’m only a poor woman. I’m not asking for the world, just a little bit of hope for my daughter”.
The compassion of Jesus finally emerges and he turns to the broken woman. “O woman”, he marveled, “great is thy faith.” Jesus’ next words were more than the woman could have ever hoped: “be it unto thee even as thou wilt” (Matthew 15:28). And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
First we see that Jesus sometimes delays an answer to our prayer in order to test and perfect our faith. We also learn that God’s silence is not a negative response. Lastly, the Lord’s first answer is not necessarily his final word. Therefore, if his answer is not in keeping with his character and promises, then we like the Caananite woman need to be shamelessly persistent. That’s the kind of faith Jesus commands and rewards.
Principle three is: if you have enough faith to be persistent in prayer, then you have enough faith to move the hand of God. Say it with me, “I can move the hand of God”. Now, believe what you say. Refuse to be offended or discouraged by the Lord’s silence. Be persistent! Be humble! That’s the kind of faith that can move the hand of God.
Principle Four
Let me pose a question to you? Can doubt keep us from receiving, even after we have done all we can? Can doubt keep us from all the blessings and plans that God has for us? Let’s take a look at Mathew 14:22-32 for the answer to this dilemma.
The disciples are in a boat early one morning when high waves and strong winds batter their boat. As they fight for control of the boat they notice an aberration walking across the raging seas. The seas are fierce; white caps swirl about, yet the figure is walking on the water. They are scared out of their wits! Then a familiar voice breaks through the howling winds: “be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid”.
Impulsive Peter went from scared to amazed in a second flat. I can hear his thoughts now: “way cool! That’s some take! I wonder if walking across water would be rad! I want to try!” Jesus told Peter, “Come”. Jesus probably thought, “well if he has the faith I’ll let him go for it”. It doesn’t surprise me that Jesus was walking on the water but Peter without thinking, jumped over the side of the boat and he didn’t sink. Peter was walking on the water!
I don’t read in the bible what the other disciples were thinking but knowing a little about human nature I can imagine. You don’t see them standing behind Peter and cheering him on. They’re thinking, “sink, baby, sink”; “what an idiot”; “Who does he think he is anyway?” ‘He’s going down!” “He’ll be swimming with the fishes”. If you don’t believe this is human nature, get a word from the Lord and step out in faith.
Set a goal. Share a vision. Claim healing! Get out of the safety of the boat and step out onto the water.
That’s the reason I’m standing before you tonight. I have jumped out of the safety of the boat and I’m walking on the water. I don’t think that I have the innate abilities to make a good minister. Jesus says, “Come”. Forget the critics and the prophets of doom. Let them stay in the boat waiting for you to sink in the water. As for me, I would have jumped out of the boat with Peter!
Peter was pumped! Peter was motivated. Jesus said, “Come”, so away he went. Wait, what happens next? Peters’ eyes stopped focusing on Jesus. He looked at the world that was in turmoil around him. He was halfway to Jesus when he realized, “men cannot walk on water”. He started to sink. Have you ever jumped into the water and started to sink? No, you just go under. Peter was loosing his faith a little at a time, even though he was on top of the water and walking.
What is our natural inclination when we are into it over our heads? We do what Peter did and we cry unto the Lord for help! What do you do when your steps of faith have led you into a situation and get you into it over your head? Cry out to Jesus! Jesus will always be there for you. He will always reach out a helping hand. He will never let you sink as long as you ask for his help. “Lord, save me”!
Look what Jesus does then. First, he reaches out and catches Peter and pulls him back out of the water. Then with Peter in tow, he walks him back to the boat. Without scolding him, he gently reprimands them all, “O thou of little faith, why did you doubt”.
You see it is all right to have doubts when you’re doing what is not customary for you. Every one of us struggles with the fear of doing the unknown or getting to far in over our heads. You can’t explain your doubts and fears but Jesus will be there to give us a hand when we begin to sink.
Now, let me explain how to control doubt. The main difference between a Christian who walks in defeat and one who walks in victory; is one allows his doubts to dominate his faith and the other allows his faith to dominate his doubts. If you let doubt dominate your life you will not be obedient, you will not pray and you will not be persistent. It is not being free of doubt but controlling how it interacts with your life. You will have doubt all your life but walking on your doubts will ensure that you will not be walking in defeat. Don’t let doubt dominate your life.
The fourth principle is: If you have enough faith to overcome your doubt, then you have enough faith to move the hand of God. No one can stop you but yourself. You are the only one that can stop what God wants to do in your life. Believe it. Now, get busy and get it done.
