From: REXLEX@linac.fnal.gov
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Do We Need To Pray????
Date: 6 Jan 93 07:03:48 GMT
Organization: FNAL

Probably the best example or prayer and the providence of God is seen in Acts
27.  Petition was made, God said it was answered, yet the men still had their
part to play.  You might even look up Hezekiah's prayer for healing in the OT. 
It again puts forth the illustration of prayer / providence / work.

To comment on clh: "One of the most interesting views of the role of prayer is
in some of the novels and poetry of Charles Williams.  The novel "Descent into
Hell" is particularly relevant here.  He believes that the Christian way of
life involves bearing each others' burdens in a very literal way through
prayer."

I like Charles Williams, the lesser known one of the Inklings.  His
spiritual/thriller books either grab you or repulse you.  He was a RC, as was
Tolkien, but seemed to have better developed theological positions.  Williams
postition on prayer is much like the postions on puratory mentioned by others
on SRC.  He seems to hold some kind of active/personal intersession by the
individual in one's advocacy of prayer much like the classical RC
interpretation on the sale of indulgences for those in puratory.

However, this is hardly the Biblical interpretation.  Its been along time since
I've read CW or studied his biographical papers, but if I remember correctly,
he would be classified today as a charismatic RC.  Not that he spoke in
tongues, rather that his emphasis on the spiritual was to such an extreme that
it over whelmed the significance of humanity in cause and effect.  Again, if I
remember correctly, CW had real problems in living out his life.

There are several formulas for prayer.  One is the acronym:
A  -adoration
C  -confession
T  -thanksgiving
S  -supplication

Also, it is an interesting study to view prayer from the vantage of the
different persons of the Trinity.  It is through the empowerment/guidance of
the Spirit, through the Mediatorship of the Son, to the Father.  That may be
simplified, but the roles in prayer of the individuals of the Trinity do seem
to be distinct as noted in the Scriptures.

Here is part of what the Westminster Standards say on it:

Q.  55. How doth Christ make intercession?
A.  Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually
before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice  on
earth, declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; answering all
accusations against them, and procuring for them quiet of conscience,
notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness to the throne of grace,
and acceptance of their persons and services.

Q.  178.  What is prayer?
A.  Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by
the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful
acknowledgment of his mercies.

Q.  179.  Are we to pray unto God only?
A.  God only being able to search the hearts, hear the requests, pardon the
sins, and fulfil the desires of all; and only to be believed in, and worshiped
with religious worship; prayer, which is a special part thereof, is to be made
by all to him alone, and to none other.

Q.  180.  What is it to pray in the name of Christ?
A.  To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in
confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake; not by  bare  mentioning
of his name, but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness,
strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation.

Q.  181.  Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?
A.  The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being
so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator;
and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious
work but Christ alone, we are to pray in no other name but his only.

Q.  182.  How doth the Spirit help us to pray?
A.  We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our
infirmities, by enabling us to understand both f or whom, and what, and how
prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not
in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apbrehensions,
affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that
duty.

Q.  183.  For whom are we to pray?
A.   We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates,
and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts
of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for
those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

Q.  184.  For what things are we to pray?
A.  We are to pray f or all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of
the church, our own or others good;  but  not  for  anything  that  is 
unlawful.

Q.  185.  How are we to pray?
A.  We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep
sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful,
and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and
perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.

Q.  186.  What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?
A.  The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer; but the
special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught
his disciples, commonly called the Lord's Prayer.

Q.  187.  How is the Lord's Prayer to be used?
A.  The Lord's Prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to
which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that
it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to
the right performance of the duty of prayer.