How to Pray
(Luke 11:1-4)
By: Dr Perry Edison Newton Sr
Word of Faith Tabernacle
Word of Faith Church
Nassau, Bahamas
Prayer is one of the powerful weapons that God has entrusted to the believer. Prayer is a means by which natural beings contact the Supernatural Creator of the universe. Prayer is the means by which man pours out his soul to the Almighty God and expects to be heard and answered. The purpose of this series is to allow you to know and under stand prayer; why should we pray; where should we pray; to whom should we pray and how should we pray.
In the context of Christianity, Prayer is said to be a monologue, a series of statements, requests, petitions, thanksgivings, giving of praises to the almighty God, seeking his help, his favour and showing gratitude for his blessings on our behalf.
When I say prayer is a monologue I say so because by means of prayer man tells God what is in his heart or how he feels. We may make a prayer request on behalf of someone else, but we cannot pray for a person. No one knows what is in the heart of another person, therefore no one can say exactly what a person needs are; we may only stand in agreement with them based on what they reveal to us. Often people do not say every thing that they feel or are experiencing. They tell it to Jesus alone.
Prayer is of such vital importance to the believer that in every generation mankind was encouraged to pray. Paul tells us that "a man should always pray and not faint;" he also admonishes us "to Pray without ceasing," so it is evident that prayer is important to the believer. Let us now examine prayer in a deeper way.
In the eleventh chapter of St Luke’s we are told that Jesus’ disciples came to him and asked him to teach them how to pray as John also taught his disciples. This is rather strange that the Disciples of Christ would want to emulate the things which John’s disciples were doing seeing that Jesus was greater than John. I could come up with no explanation other than to say that John’s prayer no doubt was effectual and that John’s disciples seemed to be quite disciplined in their prayer life.
In respect to this request by his disciples, Jesus did not offer any explanation as to why they should or should not pray; he did not feel slighted or of less importance because his disciples referred to John.
It seems that this desire to be taught how to pray on behalf of his disciples was met very favorably by Jesus; and without hesitation, he gave them an out-line for effective prayer.
In presenting the model for prayer Jesus, began by acknowledging our Heavenly Father. He is here stating that all prayer must begin, with an acknowledgement of God even to the extent of reverencing his name. Here is what Christ says as he began the prayer: “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”(Lk 11:2)It is important to note that Jesus places God as being in Heaven and states that all prayer must contain an element of praying for God’s kingdom to come and his will be done on this earth the same way it is done in heaven.
To pray for the above implies that one is prepared to subjugate his will in favour of God’s will. This suggests that by so praying, God is being given free reign to rule in the life of those so praying. Isn’t this why Satan has made every effort to block the Lord’s Prayer from being made in school meetings and he has even deceived the church into not praying the Lord’s Prayer substituting instead, wordy and meaningless recitation... It is time for the church to re-visit the tenet expressed in the Lord’s Prayer with a view of getting our prayers answered.
The next part of the prayer gives us instruction on how we should approach and address God. We must “Hallow” God’s name; we must pray that God’s will be done in earth as it is in heaven; we must pray that his kingdom come and of course it is our duty to ensure that the kingdom of God does come to this earth by our leading others to Christ. To hallow God’s name means to hold it high esteem and reverence; believing that once we call on this name he will respond. One writer says the name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and they are safe.
The second segment of this prayer points us to what we should pray for in relation to ourselves. Jesus wants us to put our full dependency on God. Some people tend to forget that God owns every thing and as his children we must ask him for what we need. Here is what Christ said. “Give us this day our daily bread” In the same breath we must also ask God to “forgive us our sins” but on the back of that it presupposes that we also forgive those who sin against us. It suggests that if God is to forgive us our sins then we must forgive others and failing this could result in God not hearing us. Unforgivensss is a cardinal sin and once sin is present in our lives, God face turns from us. However, once we pardon others we can come boldly to the throne of grace. As to how often we must forgive those who trespass against us the bible says seventy times seven a day. “Then came Peter to him and said Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say unto thee not until seven times: but until seventy times seven.” (Math 18:22-23) Obviously, if we mere mortals are required to extend such grace, then certainly our heavenly Father will extend his mercies to us in a more significant way. The scripture says that God’s mercies are everlasting and he is slow to anger and gracious. Here is what Jesus says we must pray: “And forgive us our trespass for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us.” As we continue to look at ourselves we are to ask God not to lead us into temptation, and to deliver us from evil.” Looking at this statement it seems to suggest that there is a chance that God may lead us or allow us to be tempted. Of course when we recall the story of Job(Job 1:1;42:1-10 we are reminded that God does permit trials to come our way but he also protects us through our trials and restores every thing that we lose as a result of the trial. But Jesus makes it a requirement that we ask our Heavenly Father not to lead us into temptation and indeed that we ask that he delivers us from evil. Jesus is mindful of the fact that on occasion we may find ourselves in situations over which we have no control, and would be in need of Gods deliverance. So he tells us to ask God in advance that he delivers us from evil, whether by our design or not.
In short, the model prayer which Jesus gives us addresses our relationship to God, ourselves our fellowmen and the expectation that the evil one will strike. The Bible admonishes us that we must not be ignorant of his (the devil) many devices. It is therefore important for us to return to praying as Jesus has required of us and to encourage others to do likewise.
The Bible also tells us that we must be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks giving we must make our request know unto God. It is significant in that God admonishes us not to worry. Instead of worrying we are told to pray. (Phil. 4:6) “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.”
In another place we are told to pray with out ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.” In other words do not let up on your prayer life. Do not stop praying because it appears that nothing has happened. We are encouraged to pray always. No matter what the situation, prayer is to be lifted.
The Bible says a man must always pray and not faint Lk 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not faint.” This means that we must not loose heart or become discouraged, that we should not give into doubt, fear, and unbelief or use excuses of unbelief when prayer is not answered immediately. We must rebuke and resist all opposition to the answer and all suggestion of a failure. It is our divine blood bought right to get an answer so we must not loose heart. We must continue to pray.
The Bible encourages us to be instant in prayer: “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” This means pray that we are to pray at the moment when we are confronted, prayer is not to be left for later. It is to be swift and immediate. Think about the instant lunch and other food items that are being produced. They are produced for immediate use. Therefore prayer should be quick and urgent.
We are told also to be fervent in prayer’ The Bible says "the effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
The Bible also gives us guidelines of the attitude we must display when we pray;
Prayer should not be a means to show off or to impress people with our pretty words and good vocabulary. To the contrary, prayer must be an act of devotion, a personal exercise between a man and his God. Jesus gave us a good discourse on how one should behave in prayer. “When thou prayest thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: they love to pray standing in the synagogue and in the corners of the street, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. “
It is no sin if you have to pray in the synagogue or on the street corner so long as you are dong it with proper motives and not merely to be seen by men.
Jesus recommends that there be personal prayer and these are to be made to God in privacy. He 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.” Matth 6:5-6 It must be understood, that God knows what we need long before we ask him.
Paul tells us that we must come boldly to the throne of grace. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16. You see Finnis Dakes gives a good interpretation of this verse. He says: "The throne from which all grace proceeds in Israel. It was the mercy seat or covering for the ark between the two Cherubim. The high priest could approach this only once a year and that with the blood of atonement. If he transgressed in anything he would be struck dead. His approach was with fear and trembling. The new covenant believers can come boldly to God’s throne without fear and trembling and that daily and at any time of the day. This is the freedom, confidence and liberty of approach they are commanded to keep until the end."
Jesus is a good example of one who had a good prayer life. He would get up to pray well before morning; often he would spend all night in prayer to God. Prior to all the major events in his life he was found in deep and concentrated prayer to his father. “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples; and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles…” Lk 6:12-13 “
“And it came to pass as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them saying whom say the people that I am.” (Lk 9:18)
“And when he was at the place, he said unto them pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down and prayed, saying Father if thou be willing remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared an angel from heaven strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was come as blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And said unto them, why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation” (Luke 22:41-46)
Paul and Silas Prayed and their prayer were heard. Acts 16:23-40
The church prayed for Peter and God delivered him from prison Acts 12:3-17
God instructs us to pray for the healing of the land forgiveness of our sins. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive them of their sin and heal the Land."
Prayer accomplishes much.
