Prayer and Spiritual Development

The night before the crucifixion, Jesus crossed the privileged path of prayer, now open to us thanks to the cross: "Until now nothing has been asked in my name. Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24). Through his own example, Christ put prayer in the center of Christian life. When we pray tranquilly, all the rest of life's aspects flow without difficulty, while the Word of God sustains us. But, prayer is an enigma for anyone who considers it much too mystical, and a problem for those who find much difficulty establishing a habit of prayer. But the author of this study has been devoted to helping people to take on patterns of prayer, thus to bring to light those secrets that help develop this habit, stimulating the reflex which leads believers to incorporate practical methods that lead to a life of prayer, and not dictating rules. The result of this is a prayer which brings with it blessings and fruits of life.

1. Principles of prayer based on God's conversation with Abraham (Gen. 18:17-33)
God saves a lot or a little: The essence of good makes his patience run out. Our intercession should be in accord with God's character.

From GOD's conversation with Abraham in chapter 18 arise, at least, three important principles: 1) We discover that evil Sodom could have been forgiven because of ten righteous men. We learn from this that it's not the presence of evil that puts an end to GOD's mercy and goodness, but the absence of good. 2) Although occasionally GOD inspires us to pray, showing us things that will have to happen (v. 17), our intercession should agree with GOD's character and his covenant with mankind. Thus, like Abraham, we would be able to call on GOD to preserve his name, honor and perfect justice (v. 25) before the world. Although we frequently measure the capacity to influence others in quantitative terms, human arithmetic can't be utilized to calculate the impact of the righteous. GOD saves through many or a few.

2. The heart of the intercessor (Exod. 32:11-14,30-34)
Moses demonstrated unselfishness and a spirit of intercession that prevailed over the destructive effects of human weakness and sin.

Moses' true character is revealed in the response he gives in prayer when faced with the ingratitude and rejection of Israel. Preoccupied with GOD's honor and not his own, Moses begs GOD to not destroy Israel. After renewing Israel's commitment to GOD, Moses risked his life for theirs (Psa. 106:23).

He later returned to the mountain for another forty days to once again receive GOD's commandments (Exod. 34:1-28). But Israel couldn't blame GOD for the tardiness in receiving the promise; their own sins had postponed the divine intentions. But these intentions stayed intact because Moses had intervened between the sinners of Israel and the divine wrath. Unselfish intercession prevails over the destructive effects of human weakness and sin.

3. Joshua and his warriors step into the breach (Josh. 10:12-14)
Joshua and his warriors stepped into the breach, fighting for God's eternal purpose, and illustrating the triumph that such faith can attain in the spiritual battle.

Fortified by the divine assurance that they would be victorious, but knowing that they must fight to obtain that promise, the warriors chosen by Joshua responded to Gibeon's petition for aid. This illustrates a classic syndrome of spiritual life. As soon as they conquered Jericho and Ai, five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon to punish it and block the Israelite advance. (Similarly, Satan forges armies to fight against those who go out to conquer for Christ.) The battle was long and ferocious. Fearful that the sun would set before they annihilated the enemy, Joshua's prayer of faith called upon GOD's omnipotence: the sun and moon, Amorite deities, delayed their transit, not only facilitating Israel's victory, but demonstrating the ineffectiveness of their demonic gods. Joshua and his warriors stood in the breach, fighting for GOD's eternal purposes and demonstrating the triumph that such faith and tenacity can accomplish in the spiritual war.

4. God powerfully intervenes (Is. 36:1-37:8)
Hezekiah and Isaiah show the power of prayer when facing difficult times and defeating the powers of evil.

The way Hezekiah was threatened by Sennacherib's army reminds us that even the righteous suffer problems. The Assyrian monarch invaded Judah, took 46 fortified cities, carried away 200,000 people and kept Hezekiah in Jerusalem like a caged bird. But notice how Isaiah and Hezekiah prayed. Their anguish over Sennacherib's blasphemy carried more weight than their preoccupation with Jerusalem's fate (37:16,17). Consider the magnitude of the crisis. If Sennacherib had taken Jerusalem, the existence of the Jews as a nation would have ended. The Messianic promise about the final triumph of the divine kingdom was at stake. But when Isaiah and Hezekiah prayed, GOD intervened with a supernatural show of power that demonstrated to the Assyrians who was truly GOD (37:36). From that moment, decadence began in Assyria, that had enjoyed two centuries of conquest. This is a lesson about the power of prayer to 1) confront difficult moments and 2) destroy the powers of evil.

5. Intercessors link God's Mercy with human need (Ez. 22:30)
God seeks intercessors who will work in the "breach", close the door to intruders and give entry to the blessings of God.

In the days of Ezekiel, only Judah remained on Jehovah's vine, that is, his chosen people. The idolatrous kingdom of Israel had been destroyed and sent into exile under Sargon, the Assyrian governor, in 722 B.C. After 150 years, sin had opened a horrendous breach in Judah's protective wall. A "breach" was an opening that damaged a thorny protection or a wall of stones that surrounded a vineyard. So that intruders couldn't penetrate, someone had to stand watch until the breach was repaired. Thus, this literary figure is used to describe the divine search for an intercessor among the priests, prophets, princes of the people of Judah, for anyone to stand in the breach, and serve as a link between divine mercy and human need. Frequently, in our days, the protective fence around families, churches, and nations, is in a disastrous condition. GOD still seeks intercessors who can stand watch "in the breach" and help repair it through prayer.

6. Spiritual leaders: pray and teach (Eph. 3:14-21)
Knowing that the strength of Christianity resides in the inner self, Paul prayed that Christ should imprint his nature on the mind, the will and the emotions of the people.

Spiritual leaders should pray for their people and also teach. Paul prayed for his brother believers, knowing the power of the Spirit in the inner person. Like the boat besieged by the storm, as he had experienced once, he saw himself reinforced on the inside and tightly sealed on the outside (Acts 27:17). Knowing that the strength of Christianity isn't due to external laws, Paul prayed that Christ would enter through the open door of faith, live in hearts, and imprint his nature on the minds, will and emotions of those believers. When Christ enters a life, he fills it with his life: it is the terrain on which we take root and flourish, the soil upon which our lives are based. Prayer gives birth to prayer, so that the believer whom the love of Christ fills with GOD's fullness, learns to ask and expect great things from Him!.

7. Prayer and fasting produce signs and wonders (Acts 13:1-14:28)
Ministries rise up between God's abundance and human necessity. To support them by means of prayer and fasting will make way for signs and wonders, while God confirms his Word.

Paul and Barnabus' ministry of signs and wonders began because the leaders of the church prayed, fasted and sought the LORD. After the Holy Spirit himself had called these two men, the leaders laid hands on them and sent them to the mission work (13:1-4). Some time later, Paul and Barnabus followed the same plan and traveled from city to city confirming disciples and ordaining elders in the churches (14:22,23). What model did they follow? Each minister who is sent out is an intercessor of GOD who moves between the superabundance of GOD and the superabundant needs of mankind. Consequently, those who send them should feel moved by the Holy Spirit through prayer, not by their own spirits, to send men and women whom GOD has anointed and called to do missionary work in the world. When today's church discovers the way to seek and advance every ministry through prayer, we will again see how opposition and unbelief will be doubled against us. GOD confirms his Word with signs and wonders.

8. Prayer, the terrain where our faith is proven (Acts 4:1-37)
Prayer, not debate or arguments, is the terrain where our faith is proven.

See what the response of the church was when persecutors tried to stamp our the Christian movement. The Christians turned to prayer! Sometimes, the things that threaten to suffocate or destroy the Church, become the means to its preservation and advance. The controversy that followed the occurrence of the miracle unleashed the persecution; likewise, the skeptics debated the relationship between the miracles and Christianity. The first believers knew that if they could stay firmly rooted, that the healing of the lame that had been realized in the name and power of Jesus would clearly confirm Christ's authority. Thus, they turned to prayer. What were the results? Sublime grace and enthusiasm. A very great power and enthusiasm (verses 32-34). The first Christians teach us the way toward confirmation of the reality of our faith: neither discussion nor arguments, but prayer itself.

9. God's fire descends (II Chron. 6:12-42; 7:1)
In the moment when we place our most precious offerings on the altar, God's fire comes down, and as long as we open a space for God, He comes and fills it.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, that he had constructed so that GOD could live among his people, he presented petitions before the LORD related to many situations that would occupy Israel in the future: sin, enemies, forgiveness, drought, plague, war, captivity, etc. Each petition was followed by a plea that GOD would hear and respond to the Israelite prayers.

When Solomon's petitions ended, GOD dramatically demonstrated his approval of the temple and his acceptance of Solomon's prayers. A flash of fire descended from the sky, consuming the sacrifices and offerings. Then GOD's glory filled the temple.

There are lessons here for us, because now GOD lives in the temple of our heart (see I Cor. 3:16). If we seek Him, He instantaneously comes to our side. His holy fire descends in the moment in which we put our best offerings upon the altar. When we make a place for GOD, it's always filled with his glory.

10. Constant prayer is the key to deliverance (Acts 12:1-17)
Great deliverance comes through prayer, at times so unexpected that it's an uphill struggle for us to believe it!

This conflict is a study regarding the permanent confrontation with evil. The Herods symbolized Satan's implacable attack against the Church. Herod the Great had intended to kill Jesus; his son ordered John the Baptist killed; his grandson had James beheaded, and now he had incarcerated Peter, intending to put him to death after the Passover. At the same time that Peter suffered imprisonment, the church suffered with him, on their knees in prayer. Hour after hour, the believers agonized in prayer, and when they had done everything that they could do, GOD began to work. Suddenly, an angel "anesthetized" the sixteen guards and Peter's chains came loose. (But neither GOD nor his angel did what Peter could do for himself. The apostle had to put on his clothes and his sandals and follow the angel.) Nothing hindered the escape. An iron door opened; and the sincere persevering prayers brought the apostle Peter's freedom. It's curious, but the only impediment that Peter encountered was the front door of his friends' house! And thus it is, that even those who pray sometimes neither see nor believe in the rapidity with which GOD works when they lift their supplications.

11. The Our Father (Matt. 6:9-13)
The Lord's Prayer contains seven main subjects, each one of which represents a human need.

"The Our Father" is a model of prayer that contains seven great topics, each one of which represents a basic human need: 1) The paternal need: "Our Father" (v. 9). When you pray, all your needs are attended to by the benevolence of a loving Father. 2) The presence of GOD: "Hallowed be your name" (v. 9). Enter into his presence through praise (Psalm 100:4), and call him "Father", because of the expiatory blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19-22; Gal. 4:4-6). 3) GOD's priorities: "Your kingdom come" (v. 10). Declare that the priorities of His kingdom (Rom. 14:17) will be established in you, in your loved ones, your church and your country. 4) GOD's provision: "Give us today" (v. 11). Jesus, he who supplies our needs, tells us that we should pray daily, asking him to provide for all that we lack. 5) GOD's forgiveness: "And forgive us" (v. 12). You need GOD's pardon and you need to forgive everyone. Walk daily, deciding to love and forgive. 6) Power over Satan: "And lead us not...free us from evil" (v. 13). Ask the LORD for a circle of protection around you and your loved ones (Job 1:9,10; Psa. 91). Ask him to clothe you with his armor (Eph. 6:14-18). 7) Divine society: "For yours is the kingdom" (v. 13). Glorify GOD for making you a participant of his kingdom, power and glory (II Tim. 4:18; Luke 10:19; John 17:22). This is the prayer that teaches you how to pray.

12. To pray is to be in agreement with God's will (I John 5:14,15)
Immature faith tries to manipulate God; mature faith seeks to be placed under the mantle of God's will.

Immature faith tries to manipulate GOD. It seeks shortcuts and formulas that guarantee a response to whatever petition. It sees prayer as a weapon to obligate GOD to comply with His promises. But true prayer isn't a human effort to persuade GOD or to force His will. True prayer is based on seeking GOD's will and putting ourselves in accordance with it (v. 14). We should ask according to His will; later we rest on faith, confident that GOD hears us and that what we ask for is already ours (v. 15). 2) Believe that GOD hears your petition and has already begun to answer you. 3) Pray tenaciously and patiently until His will is fulfilled. This makes up true prayer.

13. Seeking God in prayer is the way to satisfaction (John 4:34)
To seriously seek God leads us to find spiritual strength and full satisfaction.

When Jesus refused the food offered by his disciples and declared, "I have meat to eat that you know not" (v. 32), he wasn't saying that physical hunger and thirst are sinful (later he made eating and drinking sacramental signs). However, his spiritual hunger took priority over physical appetites. He found satisfaction in a profound communion with GOD and in doing the will of his Father. Applause and material acquisition can feed vanity and nourish ambition, but don't give sustenance to the spirit. Seeking GOD in prayer will lead us to find our sustenance, our spiritual strength and the satisfaction of doing GOD's will. Like Jesus, we will discover GOD's will through daily communion with Him. And thus we will receive the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit with which to achieve it.

14. David asks for Joy and the presence of God (Psa. 51:1-19)
David called, not only for forgiveness, but for purity; not only for absolution, but for acceptance; not only for consolation, but for complete cleansing of sin.

David's prayer of repentance remains as a painful testimony of his brokenness before GOD and as a teaching to others who sin. His repentance isn't born out of fear of punishment or preoccupation with future success. He repented for having turned against GOD himself, his person and his nature. David wept, not only for forgiveness, but also for purity; not only to be held innocent, but to be accepted; not only for consolation, but to be totally cleansed of sin; at whatever cost. Although his heart was wounded by shame and the pain of his sin, he knew the amplitude of divine mercy. Notice how, once he confessed his sins, and they were forgiven and purged, David dared to ask GOD for his most precious gifts: joy, restoration, his presence, and his Holy Spirit. He then offered to use them as an instrument to give divine praise and to instruct other sinners. This psalm shows that GOD accepted the offering.

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PRAYER (IDB)

Prayer is communication with GOD. Because GOD is personal, all people can offer prayers. However, sinners who have not trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation remain alienated from GOD. So while unbelievers may pray, they do not have the basis for a rewarding fellowship with GOD. They have not met the conditions laid down in the Bible for effectiveness in prayer.

Christians recognize their dependence upon their Creator. They have every reason to express gratitude for GOD's blessings. But they have far more reason to respond to GOD than this. They respond to the love of GOD for them. GOD's love is revealed through the marvelous incarnation and life of Christ, His atoning provision at the Cross, His resurrection, as well as His continuing presence through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer cannot be replaced by devout good works in a needy world. Important as service to others is, at times we must turn away from it to GOD, who is distinct from all things and over all things. Neither should prayer be thought of as a mystical experience in which people lost their identity in the infinite reality. Effective prayer must be a scripturally informed response of persons saved by grace to the living GOD who can hear and answer on the basis of Christ's payment of the penalty which sinners deserved. As such, prayer involves several important aspects.

Faith: The most meaningful prayer comes from a heart that places its trust in the GOD who has acted and spoken in the Jesus of history and the teachings of the Bible. GOD speaks to us through the Bible, and we in turn speak to Him in trustful, believing prayer. Assured by the Scripture that GOD is personal, living, active, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful, we know that GOD can hear and help us. A confident prayer life is built on the cornerstone of Christ's work and words as shown by the prophets and apostles in the Spirit-inspired writings of the Bible.

Worship: In worship we recognize what is of highest worth -not ourselves, others, or our work, but GOD. Only the highest divine being deserves our highest respect. Guided by Scripture, we set our values in accord with GOD's will and perfect standards. Before GOD, angels hide their faces and cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts" (Is. 6:3).

Confession: Awareness of GOD's holiness leads to consciousness of our own sinfulness. Like the prophet Isaiah, we exclaim, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (Is. 6:5). By sinning we hurt ourselves and those closest to us; but first of all, and worst of all, sin is against GOD (Ps. 51:4). We must confess our sins to GOD to get right with Him. We need not confess them to another being. But we should confess them directly to GOD, who promises to forgive us of all of our unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

Adoration: GOD is love, and He has demonstrated His love in the gift of His Son. The greatest desire of GOD is that we love Him with our whole being (Matt. 22:37). Our love should be expressed, as His has been expressed, in both deeds and words. People sometimes find it difficult to say to others and to GOD, "I love you". But when love for GOD fills our lives, we will express our love in prayer to the one who is ultimately responsible for all that we are.

Praise: The natural outgrowth of faith, worship, confession, and adoration is praise. We speak well of one whom we highly esteem and love. The one whom we respect and love above all others naturally receives our highest commendation. We praise Him for His "mighty acts...according to his excellent greatness!" (Ps. 150:2), and for His "righteous judgments" (Ps. 119:164). For GOD Himself, for His works, and for His words, His people give sincere praise.

Thanksgiving: Are we unthankful because we think we have not received what we deserve? But if we got what we "deserved," we would be condemned because of our guilt. As sinners, we are not people of GOD by nature. We have no claim upon His mercy or grace. Nevertheless, He has forgiven our sins, granted us acceptance as His people, and given us His righteous standing and a new heart and life. Ingratitude marks the ungodly (Rom. 1:21). Believers, in contrast, live thankfully. GOD has been at work on our behalf in countless ways. So in everything, even for the discipline that is unpleasant, we give thanks (Col. 3:17; I Thess. 5:18).

Dedicated Action: Christ's example does not require us to withdraw from society, but to render service to the needy in a spirit of prayer. He wept over Jerusalem in compassionate prayer, and then He went into the city to give His life a ransom for many. Authentic prayer will be the source of courage and productivity, as it was for the prophets and apostles.

Request: Prayer is not only response to GOD's grace as brought to us in the life and work of Jesus and the teaching of Scripture; it is also request for our needs and the needs of others.

For good reasons GOD's holy and wise purpose does not permit Him to grant every petition just as it is asked. Several hindrances to answered prayer are mentioned in the Bible: iniquity in the heart (Ps. 66:18), refusal to hear GOD's law (Prov. 28:9), an estranged heart (Is. 29:13), sinful separation from GOD (Is. 59:2), waywardness (Jer. 14:10-12), offering unworthy sacrifices (Mal. 1:7-9), praying to be seen of men (Matt. 6:5-6), pride in fasting and tithing (Luke 18:11-14), lack of faith (Heb. 11:6), and doubting or double-mindedness (James 4:3).

More positively, GOD has promised to answer our requests when we start helping the hungry and afflicted (Is. 58:9-10), when we believe that we will receive what we ask (Mark 11:22-24), when we forgive others (Mark 11:25-26), when we ask in Christ's name (John 14:13-14), and when we abide in Christ and His words (John 15:7), pray in the Spirit (Eph 6:8), obey the LORD's commandments (I John 3:22), and ask according to His will (I John 5:14-15). Until we have properly responded to GOD and His Word, He cannot entrust us with His powerful resources.

Prayer is request to a personal LORD who answers as He knows best. We should not think that we will always have success in obtaining the things for which we ask. In His wisdom, GOD hears and answers in the way that is best.

Effectiveness: Prayer has power over everything. GOD can intelligently act in any part of the universe or human history. Although some people think prayer is a waste of time, the Bible declares that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16).

Prayer meets inner needs. One who prays will receive freedom from fear (Ps. 118:5,6), strength of soul (Ps. 138:3), guidance and satisfaction (Is. 58:9-11), wisdom and understanding (Dan. 9:20-27), deliverance from harm (Joel 2:32), reward (Matt. 6:6), good gifts (Luke 11:13), fullness of joy (John 16:23-24), peace (Phil. 4:6-8), and freedom from anxiety (I Pet. 5:7).

Is prayer effective only in the inner lives of those who pray? No, prayer can make a difference in the lives of others. Biblical writers believed prayer for others could result in greater wisdom and power (Eph. 1:18-19); inward strength, knowledge of Christ's love, filling with GOD's fullness (Eph. 3:16-19); discernment, approval of what is excellent, filling with the fruits of righteousness (Phil. 1:9-11); knowledge of GOD's will, spiritual understanding, a life pleasing to GOD, fruitfulness, endurance, patience, joy (Col. 1:9-12); a quiet peaceable life (I Tim. 2:1-2); love for one another and all people, holiness before GOD (I Thes. 3:10-13); comfort and establishment in every good word and work (II Thes. 2:16-17); love for GOD, steadfastness in Christ (II Thes. 3:5); the sharing of one's faith, promotion of the knowledge of all that is good (Philem. 6); and equipment for every good work that is pleasing to GOD (Heb. 13:20-21).

Some people who think prayer can affect others question the ability of GOD to change his usual patterns in the physical world. But some prayers in the bible changed nature and physical bodies.

Jabez prayed for enlarged borders and protection from harm (I Chron. 4:10). Other people in the Bible prayed for deliverance from trouble (Ps. 34:15-22), deliverance from both poverty and riches (Prov. 30:7-9), deliverance from the belly of a great fish (Jonah 2:7-10), daily bread (Matt. 6:11), preservation and sanctification of spirit, soul, and body (I Thes 5:23), the healing of the sick (James 5:14-15), and the ending of the rain and its beginning again (James 5:17-18).

When the disciples prayed, the building around them shook (Acts 4:31) and an earthquake opened the doors of their prison (Acts 16:25-26). Our prayers do make a difference in how GOD acts in the world!

INTERCESSION

Intercession is the act of petitioning GOD or praying on behalf of another person or group. The sinful nature of this world separates human beings from GOD. It has always been necessary, therefore, for righteous individuals to go before GOD to seek reconciliation between Him and His fallen creation.

One of the earliest and best examples of intercession of this type occurs in Genesis 18, where Abraham speaks to GOD on behalf of Sodom. His plea is compassionate; it is concerned with the well-being of others rather than with his own needs. Such selfless concern is the mark of all true intercession.

Another good example is the intercessory prayers of Moses. The leader of a nation and a righteous man, Moses successfully petitioned GOD on behalf of the Hebrew people (Exod. 15:25). Even the Pharaoh asked Moses to intercede for him (Exod. 8:28). But just as righteous men often succeeded in reconciling Creator and creation, the Bible also reminds us that the ongoing sinfulness of a people can hinder the effects of intercession (I Sam. 2:25; Jer. 7:16).

The sacrifices and prayers of Old Testament priests (Exod. 29:42; 30:7) were acts of intercession which point forward to the work of Christ. Christ is, of course, the greatest intercessor. He prayed on behalf of Peter (Luke 22:32) and His disciples (John 17). Then in the most selfless intercession of all, He petitioned GOD on behalf of those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).

But Christ's intercessory work did not cease when He returned to heaven. In heaven He intercedes for His church (Heb. 7:25). His Holy Spirit pleads on behalf of the individual Christian (Rom. 8:26-27). Finally, because of their unique relationship to GOD through Christ, Christians are urged to intercede for all people (I Tim. 2:1).

PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT