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Prayer is a tremendous subject with such extensive Bible coverage that it is difficult to adequately cover the subject in one lesson. The
objective in this study of prayer is a simple one, to "stir up your pure minds" (2 Peter 3: 1). Since prayer is one of the outstanding
characteristics of the Christian life; it is impossible to describe by a single definition. The magnitude of this experience is evident by the
variety of benefits attained from it. It is first of all a communication between man and God; therefore, it is called "the skylight of the soul."
By God's allowing us to approach Him in prayer, He manifests His great love to us. In our praying we manifest our devotion to God,
for He taught us to pray. The prayer of faith is on one hand to request from God what we want and on the other hand to seek His
will. This quest for the will of God is said by some to be the deepest and holiest purpose of prayer.
The disciples of Jesus recognized the importance of prayer. They sought a meaningful communication with the Father when they asked
Jesus to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1).In reply to their request, Jesus gave the model prayer which is often called "The Lord's Prayer" (Mt.
6:9-13). It is acceptable to use it verbatim, but it is not simply to be recited as we repeat those words. It is also a pattern by which we may
measure all our prayers, since every aspect of prayer is included in the model prayer. It begins with adoration to God and respect for
His name. Then we are taught that the will of God is to be sought. Next temporal needs are requested, followed by an implied confession
of sin. It encourages us to seek divine providence and to acknowledge His power. It ends with "Amen," expressing both a fervent desire and
an avowal of faith.
From the simple words of this prayer, we are taught many profound lessons. The expression "Our Father" teaches that prayer is not to
be directed toward men to invoke their praise, but is to be directed toward God. As God is our Father, it denotes a relationship of grace.
Since He is our Father, we recognize the need to pray for others Games 5:16). "Which art in heaven" reminds us that the abode of God is
in heaven (Acts 7:49) and directs our attention upward. Praying to God in heaven helps us detach our hearts from things on earth and
enables us for a little while to set our affection on things above (Col. 3:2). "Hallowed be thy name" is a phrase that can easily be uttered
without the slightest thought of its profound and holy meaning, but this should not be done. God's name is to be hallowed because He
is holy (Ps. 111:9). We are to revere His name because of what He has done, is doing, and will yet do for us. "Thy kingdom come" is
an extension or enlargement of the previous statement. We should want God's name to be glorified in His kingdom. We should live in
such a manner that our lives may personally glorify Him daily (l Cor. 6:20). "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" declares our desire
to be submissive to His divine will. Like Job, we are to be submissive when the providence of God allows unpleasant situations to touch
our lives, and we are to manifest our submissive spirit by obedience to His written will, as expressed in the pages of the Bible John 2:5,
James 1:22). "Give us this day our daily bread" is the first of four petitions which relate to the supplying of our immediate needs. Here
we express a confidence that God not only knows our needs (Mt. 6:8) but also is able to supply them (Phil. 4:19);however, there is more
embraced here than a need merely for table bread. To desire only such bread is to forget the most important Bread - Jesus John 6:48);
therefore, we ask both for food on the table to strengthen our bodies and for the presence of Jesus to strengthen our spirits. "Forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors" is a statement which covers a multitude of circumstances. It acknowledges the presence of sin in
our lives as we have failed to obey His Laws (1John 3:4), and it reminds us of the need to forgive others as God has forgiven us (Col. 3:13).
In reality this statement invokes God to forgive us in the same measure in which we are willing to forgive others! "Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil" is a petition that goes one step beyond the previous one. If we desire old sins to be forgiven, we should also
desire to refrain from committing new sins. It is not implying that God causes or tempts us to sin Games 1:13),but it simply acknowledges
the sovereignty of God in control of all things. This statement is intended to express our desire that God will keep us from the tempter
and will keep us in His care lest we fall (1 Cor. 10:13).It acknowledges a faith in God's ability to deliver and save us from sin, so we trust
His providence to protect and keep us from the evil afflictions of Satan. When such holy desires are present, we will not willingly walk in the
paths of sin (Ps. 119:11). "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever" reinforces our confidence in God. We
acknowledge our weakness but rejoice in God's strength and power (2 Cor. 12:9).We should want to live in His kingdom, by His power,
and for His glory, forever. This holy thought serves to remind us that prayer and praise always belong together. We cannot pray aright unless
the honor and glory of God are dominant in our hearts.
Having been divinely taught to pray, we find in the Bible a wide spectrum of men and women who have engaged in this spiritual exercise
of the soul. Some prayed standing with hands lifted up to God, others knelt, and still others prostrated themselves before the majesty
of the Most High. As they prayed, some did it inaudibly while others cried aloud as if to bridge the gap between heaven and earth by sheer
vocal power. Some prayed in temples and synagogues while others withdrew to hills or gardens to be alone with God. Some of the prayers
were completely spontaneous and some were repeated Scriptures. In ancient times prayer was often accompanied by sacrifice, which was
often preceded by fasting in sackcloth and ashes. Some prayers were expressions of thanksgiving, other prayers contained confessions of sin
which invoked the forgiveness of God, while still others were prayers of petition for others. Such intercession should be made for the church,
our rulers, our families, the sick, and even our enemies. In all these instances, man has approached God in prayer. Several of these
examples may seem incidental, while others are most vital to meaningful prayer.
There are several essentials of prayer. (1) In prayer there must be the absence of hypocrisy, for God can see the heart (Mt. 6:5). (2)There
is to be perseverance as we pursue the blessings for which we pray (Eph. 6:18). (3) We are to pray with unquestioning faith that God
has the ability to accomplish what we ask (Eph. 3:20). (4) In prayer we are to approach God in the Holy Spirit and by the name of Jesus
(Eph. 2: 18). (5) Prayer should be a pouring out of the soul before God (l Sam. 1:15). (6) Finally, we must remember that our prayers are
to be fervent James 5: 16).
Praying does not always accomplish all we seek. God will answer prayer, and He will do so as it pleases Him and in the way that is
best for us. We may think we need a particular blessing, but sometimes God in His omniscience knows we need something quite different.
In answering prayer, God at times gives us exactly what we ask for, at other times the answer is "No," while on some occasions it may
be "Wait!" We must always remember that delays are not denials; however, prayers that are prayed in the wrong spirit and for the wrong
reason probably will not be answered Games 4:2). This possibility should not deter us from praying, because it is certain that the
unprayed prayer will not be answered. The simple fact to remember is that God does answer prayer and we are to pray and not to faint
(Luke 18: 1). Let us pray and do so without ceasing (l Thes. 5: 17). Every devout Christian knows the value of prayer. May this lesson
encourage us to pray more often and to pray as we should. Our lives are enriched as our hearts are turned upward to commune with God
in prayer. Thank God for this blessed access to His throne of grace.
As we thank God for the privilege of prayer, we should also use prayer time to thank God for other blessings which He has so
graciously bestowed upon us. Prayer is not just a time for asking, but it should also be a time for giving of thanks. Paul wrote, "Be careful
for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6).
Have you yet experienced this blessed aspect of prayer? In all our prayers, we should gratefully acknowledge the natural and spiritual
benefits which God bestows on us. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah (Ps.
68:19).
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