From: gideon@otago.ac.nz
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Do We Need To Pray???? - Bible answer.
Date: 8 Jan 93 05:54:23 GMT
Organization: University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

I have noticed a few postings lately about prayer -should we pray, etc.,
so I thought I might write a bit of a splurge about it...

Sorry it's not in much depth, but I'm sure you'll get the idea, and be able to 
follow up and expand from the notes here with your own study...

The Purpose Of Prayer
====================

- When we read the Word of God, He speaks to us.
- When we engage in prayer to God, we speak to Him.

We need this two way communication.

Prayer is communion with God. It is:
- An act of worship
- A medium of comfort in time of trouble
- A medium of fellowship in time of loneliness
- A means of uplift in time of depression
- A medium for praise in time of rejoicing
- A medium for thankfulness for one's blessings
- A way to make our requests known to God.

Prayer expresses our faith in the existence of God which is necessary:
"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Heb 11:6).

What does the word "Prayer" mean?
--------------------------------

(a) In the OT the Hebrew for Prayer is "tephillah" from the root "palal" (prayed),
     signifying 'to intercede' or 'make supplication'. It is also used in a wider 
     definition for a hymn or sacred song e.g. Psalm 72:20, Habakkuk 3:1 (cf v19).

(b) In the NT the Greek for Prayer is "proseuche" from "proseuchomai" - "pros"
     meaning 'forward' and "euchomai" meaning 'to wish, will, or pray'
     i.e. 'to supplicate' or 'worship'. (Worship is "proskuneo" meaning 'to crouch
     forward' or 'prostrate oneself in homage or reverence').

The Place of Prayer
------------------

We can reach God at any time and under any circumstances. We can pray walking
along a busy street, while at work, or during recreation time. There are not set
places for divine worship, as the Lord Jesus told the woman of Samaria 
(John 4:20-21), and prayer has been offered (and accepted) under very strange 
circumstances:

- Jonah prayed in the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1)
- Paul prayed on the deck of a storm-tossed ship (Acts 27:35)
- Nehemiah prayed while handing wine to the king (Nehemiah 2:4)
- Hezekiah prayed on his sick bed with his face to the wall (Isaiah 38:2)
- David prayed in the ruins of a city in the moment of defeat (1 Samuel 30:8)
- The disciples prayed kneeling in the open on the sea shore (Acts 21:5)
- Peter prayed on the housetop (Acts 10:9)
- Christ prayed on a mountain (Luke 6:12, 9:28)
- Samuel prayed on a battlefield (1 Samuel 7:8-9)
- Hannah prayed in public, silently (1 Samuel 1:13).

The Posture of Prayer
--------------------

There is no set posture for prayer. It seems as though differing circumstances 
varied the form used. Some prayed with their hands uplifted like the ascending
cloud of incense (Exodus 9:33, Psalm 28:2, 1 Timothy 2:8). Others stood in
respect (Mark 11:25). David sat meditatively (2 Samuel 7:18). Daniel kneeled
in humility (Daniel 6:10 - see also Ephesians 3:14). Ezekiel and Jesus Christ
prostrated thamselves before God (Ezekiel 9:8, 11:13, Matthew 26:39).

The Time for Prayer
------------------

While you can pray at any time, men of faith had set times at which they 
approached God in prayer. In Israel, under the law, the time of the offering 
of incense was the set time for prayer, so that at morning and evening the
prayers of the nation ascended with the cloud of incense in the Holy Place.

Here are a few examples of times:
- Morning and evening
  "LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when
   I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the
   lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:1-2)

- Three times a day
  "...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks
   before his God" (Daniel 6:10)

- Seven times a day
  "Seven times a day do I praise thee..." (Psalm 119:164)

- At noon
  "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour" (Acts 10:9)

- At midnight
  "At midnight Paul and Silas prayed..." (Acts 16:25).

We must find the time for prayer. No work, no duty is so important that it
should crowd prayer out of our lives. The person who lives a prayer-less
life denies himself the power which can make him succeed spiritually.

One time for prayer that seems to go by the board these days is giving thanks
for meals. There are very strong examples in the Bible for giving thanks 
before we eat (Mark 8:6, 22:17, Luke 22:17,19, John 6:11, Acts 27:35, 
1 Cor 11:24 etc.). Even if we are fasting at our meal times, we should still
give thanks to God (Rom 14:6). It may seem like an embarrassing thing to do
in some circumstances, but it is a teaching of the Scriptures.

We should actually pray whatever we do, as we are told in Col 3:17.

The Symbol of Prayer
-------------------

Incense is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of prayer. Have a look at
Psa 141:2, Luke 1:10, Rev 5:8, 8:3. The word incense is derived from the
Hebrew "qetoreth", and signifies 'to fumigate' i.e. to purify. Prayer is thus
a purifying medium. Incense was skilfully blended of special ingredients 
(Exodus 30:35 etc.). This suggests that casual, thoughtless approaches to
God are not sufficient: care, attention, and thought should be given to the
solemn and sacred privelege of prayer.

Incense was offered at regular periods (Exod. 30:7-8), and was to be offered
exclusively to God (YHWH) (v 37), and was consumed by the Divine fire taken
from the alter of sacrifice (v 7), so prayer is a burnt offering, a sacrifice, the 
complete absorbtion of hopes, desires, will, and purpose in those of God.
Prayer should be regular and never cease (v 8). The penalty for using "strange
incense" was death (v 9) (you may have to chase up Num 3:4 etc to get the full
picture here if you're not familiar with it).

The Power of Prayer
==================

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).

Prayers become powerful:
- when we awaken to our need of God (Psalm 9:10)
- if we discipline ourselves to express them (Mark 1:35)
- when we live in faith for what we pray for (1 John 3:21-22)

All prayer is answered (Psa 86:7, 118:5,  Isa 30:19, Jer 33:3, Matt 7:7-8):
- sometimes in the negative (James 1:6-7, Lamentations 3:8, 3:44)
- sometimes in the future (Matt 6:10, Luke 18:1-5, Jas 5:17-18)
- but all prayer is not heard (Deut 1:45, Prov 15:29, Jer 11:11, Lam 3:8, Hos 5:6)
- why prayer is not heard: (Judg 10:11-14, Job 35:12-13, Psa 66:18, Isa 1:15, 59:2,
   Micah 3:4, John 9:31).

When Prayer Becomes Powerless
------------------------------

In addition to above section (why prayer is not heard):

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an
 abomination" (Prov 28:9), and

"Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your
 lusts (i.e. pleasures)" (James 4:3)

How To Pray And Be Heard
------------------------

Prayer must be offered:
- to the Father (Matt 6:6,9, Jas 1:5, John 15:16, 16:23-26)
- through the Lord Jesus Christ's name (John 14:13-14, Eph 5:20, Col 3:17)
- in faith (Heb 10:19-22, 11:6, Jas 1:5, 5:15)
- sincerely (*Ecc 5:2, Mark 9:29)  * Good way to keep things in perspective
- to the point and without repetition (Matt 6:7)
- according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15)
- in confidence of response (Matt 21:22, 1 Tim 2:8, 1 John 5:14-15)

We should pray:
- for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa 122:6)
- for the salvation of Israel (Rom 10:1)
- for them that hate us, despitefully use us and persecute us (Matt 5:44, 
   Luke 23:34, Act 7:60, 2 Tim 4:16)
- that we enter not into temptation (Luke 22:40)
- always, without ceasing - i.e. often, regularly (Eph 6:18, Act 12:5, 1 Thes 5:17)
- continually (Psa 72:15, Act 6:4, Col 4:2)
- for one another (Jas 5:16, 1 Thes 5:25)
- for wisdom (Jas 1:5, Psa 119:169-170)
- in private (Matt 6:6, Mark 1:35)
- for others (John 17:20, Rom 1:9, Eph 1:16, Phil 1:4, Col 1:9-10, 4:3)
- for preachers (Matt 9:38, Luke 10:2)
- for forgiveness of sins (Luke 11:4, 1 John 1:9)
- for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-2) - note what is being prayed for here.
- for God's Kingdom to come (Matt 6:10)
- for assistance and prosperity (Psa 90:17, 118:25)
- for help in time of trouble (Psa 22:11, 25:16-17, 50:5, 69:1,2,14,15)
- to express thanks and praises (Psa 79:13, 86:12, 145:1, Luke 1:46-47, 
  Jude 24-25, Isa 25:1, Dan 2:20-21, 4:37)
- etc. I'm sure you can find others...

Forms Of Prayer
---------------

Prayer takes many forms. There is set communal prayer, private devotional 
prayer where we pour out our hearts to God, short prayers for help, belief
prayers of thanksgiving, formal prayers etc. All are acceptable and useful in
the appropriate situation. Here are some examples:

(a) Short Prayers
     Nehemiah specialised in these short prayers. Notice how he interjects
     a brief prayer related to the matter in hand into the narrative in Neh 4:4-5,
     and again in 5:19, also 6:9,14, 13:14,22,29,31. Jesus Christ also used this 
     sort of short prayer sometimes (Matt 11:25) although he did also pray all 
     night on occasion. Stephen's last prayer as he was stoned was also of this
     type (Act 7:60).

(b) United Prayers
     In times of crisis, men of faith gathered together to specifically pray for
     Divine help. Christ makes reference to this type of prayer in Matt 18:19-20.
     There are also lots of other scriptural examples. Daniel called together his
     friends to consider the problem confronting them and to pray for help (Dan
     2:17-18). The disciples united together to pray prior to the bestowing of the
     Spirit at pentecost (Act 1:14). The congregation came together to thank God 
     when Peter and John were released (Act 4:24), and on another occasion they
     prayed without ceasing for the release of Peter (Act 12:5) - and then refused
     to believe it when their prayers were answered!

(c) Personal Prayers
     This is the most common form of prayer. In time of difficulty, crisis, pain,
     pleasure, happiness, God should not be left out. Prayer becomes the channel
     of personal communication with Him. The same God who opened the Red sea,
     brought about the defeat of Amalek, fed Israel in the wilderness etc is able 
     to extend help to us now. On such occasions, specific requests are required:
     "with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God" (Phil 4:6). This is
     the time to pour out your heart to God, but still acknowledge that you are 
     prepared to accept His will (Thy will be done). See the examples of the
     faithful men (and women of course) of old.

(d) Communal Prayers
     Special attentian needs to be given to communal prayer. The person leading
     the prayer has to make sure that it is appropriate to the occasion, and that
     the people following the prayer can all follow and agree with it so as to
     become the prayer of the whole congregation. There are a number of examples
     of communal prayers in the Bible - a good one to look at is in Ezra 9 and 10.
     Ezra recognised his onerous duty, and took the time to prepare himself for
     the occasion. Firstly the problem was carefully considered. It was followed
     by an expression of humiliation and shame in the sin that the nation had 
     committed (notice that he associates himself with the people even though
     he wasn't involved in the sin). The wording of the prayer was carefully 
     selected, and the people all saw the sin they had committed in its true
     light, and were ashamed.

Notable Prayers in Scriptures
---------------------------

Finally, just a list of prayers which teach different things about prayer:

- Hannah's prayer (1 Sam 1:9-11,20-21, 2:1-10)
- Ezra's prayer (Ezra 9:5-15, 10:1-5)
- Nehemiah's prayers (Neh 1:4-11, 2:4, 4:9, 6:9,14, 13:22,29,31)
- David's prayers (Psa 51, 42-72, 2 Sam 7:18-29)
- Hezekiah's prayer (Isa 37:15-20, 38:2-3,9-10)
- Daniel's prayer (Dan 2:19-23, 9:3-19)
- Habakkuk's prayer (Hab 3:1-2)
- The Lord's prayer (Matt 6:5-13, Luke 11:2-4)
- Christ's prayer (John 17:1-26)
- James' seven forms of prayer (Jas 5:13-20)
- Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8:23-53, 2 Chron 6:12-42)
- Mary's prayer (Luke 1:46-55)


Well that's about it. I hope it helps clarify some points about prayer. I know it
doesn't cover all the issues or go into any of the fascinating lessons we can
learn from these prayers, but if it's useful to someone, it will have been worth
the effort. I'll be away for a week, but I'll check any discussion when I get back.

-- 
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Gideon King                         | Phone +64-3-479 8347
University of Otago                 | Fax   +64-3-479 8529
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