"REFLECTIONS"

On Prayer

INTRODUCTION
  1. In our previous reflection, we saw that the church is...
    1. The assembly or congregation of God's people
    2. The body of Christ, consisting of all the saved
  2. One of our greatest blessings as members of Christ's body is prayer...
    1. Yet Jesus anticipated people would become slack in their prayers - Lk 18:1-8
    2. Thus Paul frequently exhorted diligence in our prayers - Ep 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Th 5:17

[In view of Jesus' concern and Paul's exhortation, let's reflect on prayer, beginning with...]

  1. THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER
    1. PRAYER IS NOT A PRIVILEGE...
      1. For those who do not heed the Word of God - Pr 28:9
      2. Whose sins separate them from God - Isa 59:1-2
      -- If we will not listen to God, why should He listen to us?
    2. PRAYER IS A PRIVILEGE...
      1. For those who have Jesus as their High Priest - He 2:17-18; 4:14-16; 7:25-26
      2. Who acts as their Advocate and Mediator with God - 1Jn 2:1; 1Ti 2:5; Ro 8:34
      -- Such is the privilege of those who are children of God by faith in Christ

    [The greatness of the privilege of prayer will be appreciated as one reflects on...]

  2. THE POWER OF PRAYER
    1. FORGIVENESS OF SINS...
      1. The Christian can find forgiveness through the blood of Christ - 1Jn 1:7-10
      2. Thus the erring Christian is told to repent and pray - Ac 8:22
      -- Don't you want the assurance of knowing that your sins are forgiven?
    2. PEACE OF MIND...
      1. The antidote to anxiety is prayer - Php 4:6
      2. Christians will find their hearts and minds guarded by the peace of God - Php 4:7
      -- Don't you want the peace of mind and heart that surpasses understanding?
    3. STRENGTH TO LIVE...
      1. Paul prayed that the Ephesians might be strengthened in the inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
      2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for themselves!
      -- Don't you want the power that is beyond our comprehension?
    4. OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE...
      1. Paul realized God provided him opportunity to teach others - 1Co 3:5 (NASB)
      2. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would continue - Col 4:3
      -- Don't you want the Lord to give you opportunity to lead others to Christ?
    5. BOLDNESS TO SPEAK...
      1. When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God delivered - Ac 4:23-31
      2. When Paul needed boldness, he asked for prayers in his behalf - Ep 6:19-20
      -- Don't you want boldness when you speak to others about Christ?
    6. WISDOM TO GUIDE...
      1. Wisdom is not knowledge, but insight that makes the best use of the knowledge one has
      2. The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer without doubt - Jm 1:5-8
      -- Don't you want the wisdom that comes from above?
    7. HEALING FROM SICKNESS...
      1. Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm 5:14-15
      2. Those who have sinned should confess, and we should pray for one another - Jm 5:16
      -- Don't you want the aid of God when in need of physical or spiritual healing?
    8. TRANQUILITY AND PEACE...
      1. The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
      2. Thus we are to pray, that we may lead quiet (tranquil, ASV) and peaceable lives - 1Ti 2:1-4
      -- Don't you want to live in peace and tranquility, and for others to as well?

    [With prayer such a powerful privilege, shouldn't we do it more often? Let us reflect, then, on...]

  3. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
    1. SCHEDULED PRAYERS...
      1. Having set times to pray can help develop a habit of prayer
      2. Consider the practice of two great men of God
        1. David, whom God described as "a man after My own heart" - Ps 55:17
        2. Daniel, whom the angel of God described as "O man greatly beloved" - Dan 6:10
      3. They made it a habit to pray at set times during the day
        1. It would not hurt to imitate them
        2. For example: three times daily - morning, noon, and evening
      4. I have found it helpful to pray 5 times a day
        1. 9am - 12noon -3pm - 6pm - 9pm
        2. Even if they are short prayers (see below)
        -- At the very least, make time each day to spend in prayer
    2. SPONTANEOUS PRAYERS...
      1. Prayers should not be limited to set times
      2. Jesus spent all night in prayer before selecting His apostles - Lk 6:12-13
      3. Paul and Silas prayed when faced with trying circumstances - Ac 16:25
      4. Nehemiah prayed silently on the spur of the moment - Neh 2:4-5
      5. The Israelites prayed to God in the heat of battle - 1Ch 5:20
      -- We should pray whenever and however the occasion calls for it
    3. POSTURE IN PRAYER...
      1. The Bible describes various praying postures
        1. Standing - Mk 11:25; Lk 18:13
        2. Hands spread out and/or lifted heavenward - 1Ki 8:22; Neh 8:6; 1Ti 2:8
        3. Bowing the head - Neh 8:6
        4. Lifting heavenward of the eyes - Jn 17:1
        5. Kneeling - Ac 20:36
        6. Falling down with the face upon the ground - Mt 26:39
        7. Bowing the head, with face between the knees - 1Ki 18:42
        8. Bowing the head, while striking the breast - Lk 18:13
      2. While there is no official posture for prayer...
        1. Posture reflects the attitude of the person praying
        2. Posture reflects humility and reverence toward God
        3. Select a posture you are comfortable with, that reflects your true state of mind
        -- Prayer is a state of mind, which can be enhanced by bodily position
CONCLUSION
  1. Prayer is a wonderful privilege...
    1. By which we can boldly approach the throne of God
    2. Where Jesus stands ready to intercede in our behalf
  2. Prayer is a powerful privilege...
    1. By which we can obtain mercy at any time
    2. By which we can find grace to help in time of need
  3. Prayer therefore ought to be practiced...
    1. "always with all prayer and supplication..." - Ep 6:18
    2. "earnestly...being vigilant in it with thanksgiving" - Col 4:2

May these "reflections" encourage us to be more diligent to "pray without ceasing"...! - 1Th 5:17

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Heb 4:16