In my mind, the above image represents me (as well as everyone else who is) praying for Revival, for cities and nations. The question then arises, Can my prayer really make any difference in the life and future of a city, or even of a nation? Although we may attempt to answer that question on principle, yet, in order to answer it in fact, a more fundamental question must first be answered, namely: Am I on praying ground? (Thanks, Dee C., for the phrase, "praying ground".)
Although the man's height, in the above image, does convey a sense of supernatural ability, still, he is but one man. Can one man's prayers make a difference? Indeed, can prayer, as such, make a difference?
Why should anyone pray? God is sovereign; his power and authority is absolute and supreme. And Scripture clearly states that God "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Hebrews 1:11). Doesn't that mean that God is going to do whatever he wills? Yes, it does. And doesn't God already know what we need? Doesn't God love his Creation? Therefore, may we not simply trust that God is going to do what is best for us, regardless? No, we may not.
Years ago, the Spirit of God definitely impressed upon my mind the following, as if God said to me:
"If I would go ahead and do--for those who don't pray, those things which I have promised I will do in answer to those who do pray, then, what would be the purpose of prayer?"Yes, God is sovereign; he can do whatsoever he wills. Thankfully, God has told us in his Word exactly what his will is:
"I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8)Prayer is God's will. The Bible is prolific, explicit and emphatic (words I chose carefully), in asserting the necessity of prayer . There should be no need, here, to persuade any Christian that prayer is God's will. Nevertheless, in my experience, many (most?) Christians neither know very much about prayer, nor are they much experienced in the ministry of prayer. (Doubtless the devil must be greatly relieved, if that is in fact the case.) It does appear, to me, that very few Christians pray consistently, fervently, and effectually. It further seems, to me, that the appalling weakness of the Church is prima facie evidence that not many Christians know how to pray. Worse yet, there is a great deal of evidence suggesting that most professing Christians have very little desire or motivation within themselves to pray--effectually. Yet, my aim herein is not to chastise, but to instruct and encourage.
Not only does God, in Scripture, invite us to pray to Him, but He furthermore urges--even commands us to pray. In fact, God explicitly rebukes and condemns those who will not pray to Him:
"I will also stretch out mine hand . . . and I will cut off . . . them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham [in other words, professing--albeit compromising, Christians]; and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him." (Zephaniah 1:4-6)Prayer is God's will. The ministry of prayer is the most important business one can undertake. The privilege--and responsibility, of ministering before the throne of God, ought to be taken with the utmost seriousness and reverence. I have found that one's ability to pray is directly related to the quality of what I like to call one's "vision of God": a true perception of which derives from Scripture itself. The higher one's vision of God, the more motivated and empowered such an one should be, to pray. That's why, I'm convinced, it behooves us to give ourselves to meditate upon the Word, upon the Person, the works, and the will of God.
Our reference at all times involves Revival. When his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he led them in what has come to be called "the Lord's Prayer". Jesus first instructed his disciples to revere God, and to acknowledge his divine power and authority. That is the starting point, the bedrock foundation, of prayer. How I perceive God's Person, His nature and His will, has everything to do, firstly, with the 'mind' and manner whereby I approach unto Him; and, secondly, with my faith and expectations concerning what I hope to receive from Him and through Him. That's why a very "high vision of God" serves better to prepare and equip one for prayer, than does a "lowly vision of God," that is to say, a vague and uncertain idea of who God is and of what God wills.
The Lord's Prayer begins with: "Our Father...." We are thus given to see ourselves in relation to one another, as well as to God--whose authority over us is characteristically benevolent. We approach, in prayer, unto "our...Father". Therefore, in order to be on "praying ground,"
we must earnestly strive for truth and peace in all of our relationships, in the sight of God."Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...." God is not only "our Father," but He is the God in heaven--whose name is "Hallowed": holy, sacred, sanctified (set apart). The only way one can be on "praying ground," is, to come and stand (or, rather, prostrate oneself, spiritually speaking) on holy ground, in the Presence of Almighty God. The Old Testament teaches us about prayer, by giving us, in descriptions of how God's priests were ordered to appear and to minister before the Lord in the Sanctuary, what are called "types" or "typology". The priesthood which pertained to the Old Covenant, reveals important insights regarding how that we, who are God's "priests" in the New Testament (that is to say, Christians), ought to approach unto God in prayer. We're speaking about "praying ground" as being holy ground.
In the Old Testament, only those who had been consecrated to be priests were allowed to minister in the Sanctuary. Thus far, that "typology" indicates that only "born-again" individuals may serve as priests unto God, in the ministry of prayer. Yet, there is more.
No priest was allowed to appear before God to offer prayer, who did not first bathe his entire body, and then put on clean garments--which were specially made and used exclusively for the purpose of ministering in the Sanctuary. Such "special purpose" clothing, and such "exclusive use" of the same, is the essence of the meaning of the word "sanctified" (meaning, "set apart"). Altogether, then, the foregoing typology reveals that both the person who prays, as well as his "prayer garments," must be clean and sanctified (set apart exclusively to God's service). "Prayer garments" refers to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, wherewith we are "clothed". Only thus may one come to be on "praying ground," in the Presence of God. The Bible warns expressly:
"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:8)Thus, being washed in Christ's blood and clothed in his righteousness, and tolerating no thought of iniquity in our heart; and, our mind filled with reverence to God who is holy; and, being conscious that all of our earthly relationships--inasmuch as possible--are in truth and peace: only then may we truly be on "praying ground".
What shall we then ask, of Him who sits on the Throne of God? He himself told us what ought to be our principal request:
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)In my mind's eye, so to speak, I can almost see myself in heaven, kneeling before God's throne, and having come prepared--as above discussed--to pray before the Lord. My heart and my hands are clean, through Christ; my earthly relationships are right, to the best of my ability; my mind is bowed low in reverence to the King of kings; and, so, I begin to pray. . . .
(click on the link, below)
Wimpy praying does not belong in heaven! God and Christ paid far too great a price for us to be made worthy and able to come before His throne in prayer, to have us come whining and groveling. That's not prayer! "Prayer" is not us trying to talk God into doing something good for us. Are you kidding? I am instructed to come, in prayer, as God's priest, that is, as God's Ambassador on the earth. God sees me as being the very hands and feet, the eyes and ears, the heart and mind . . . of Christ, on the earth! Does God not know what is happening on earth? Sure, He does. But God has appointed man (me, and you--in Christ) to bear rule on the earth, through Jesus Christ (see, Romans 5:17).
So, when we get on "praying ground," Jesus told us what to begin to pray for: "Thy kingdom come! Thy will be done! on earth--just like it is in heaven, that is, absolutely!"
Sickness and disease--in heaven? Then, why am I willing to tolerate it on earth?
Demonic strongholds? "Blast them, Almighty God! Destroy them utterly! I pray."
Oppression, on the part of wicked men? "Bring them down, O Lord, by your strong arm!"
That's what Jesus meant when he said to pray: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".
Perhaps, we will continue in a subsequent essay to examine "praying ground". To be sure, it is a most worthwhile and needed topic for discussion.
No comments:
Post a Comment