Biblical Teaching on Prayer

John 11:41-44

Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me. ~Jesus

Pondering Point

Elsewhere biblically we’re told by Jesus to pray in our closet – not to be seen by men (Matthew6:6). But this prayer is clearly overt, seen and heard by men. It is OK and healthy to pray in front of others (as we do in worship). But remember, as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:13-19, pray in such a way that others are edified and can say “Amen.”

As you develop (or enhance) a personal prayer for daily use, you're going to be encouraged to share your prayer with a few key people. Not just yet, but eventually. When Jesus shared His prayer, it was to allow people to see that He was a Godsend. (He then raised Lazarus from the dead which gave a powerful testimony of support!) The goal in sharing your prayer with a few others is to enable them to know what you are praying about. This enables them to join their hearts with yours, agreeing with you in prayer and saying “Amen” to what you’re seeking. Jesus encourages this type of behavior of us in Matthew 18:19, "if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven."

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, a day that initiates Lent (Sundays excluded).

The 40-day practice parallels Jesus' 40 days of temptation in the desert. Many people give up something for Lent to further parallel Jesus giving up food and drink during that time. This period of temptation immediately preceded Jesus’ ministry. You can expect similar battles as you seek after God. Our prayer today highlights this dynamic as you follow Jesus. It is a simple warfare prayer. Note which words capture your attention. Pray over them especially. The Lenten Guidebook encourages you to lift up this prayer daily. Do it and mark it; this is literally practicing discipleship – following and learning from Jesus. AND, if you haven’t already done so, consider a covenant with Jesus to learn under Him this Lenten season. Don’t ignore this.

Warfare Prayer

Father God, in the name and authority of Jesus, deliver me from my enemy, the Evil One. Help me fight any urge to ignore, bail, dismiss, procrastinate, fear, quit, settle, give in, give up, make excuses, avoid, evade or hide, filter, block, rush, compromise, ___________, or ___________.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Jesus tells His disciples that our enemy, the thief, seeks to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). While you seek after God, He seeks after You. This is not mere euphemism or metaphor. It is reality. It is truth. You are in a war zone. Until you recognize this, the world and God’s behavior it will not make sense. God is often blamed for the enemy’s activities. Don’t fall for such things. You may desire otherwise, but you are in a war zone. So is your Lenten experience.

What hopes, dreams, or desires have you given up on? Why is that?
Some could be godly reasons, some could be ungodly reasons.

How would God view this giving up? How would the devil view it?

Prayer Thoughts
Chapter 11

God has always honored persistence. Troubles come with God’s consent. The Lord is interested in how we respond when the obstacles press and bruise us. It doesn’t matter what the causes of our problems. We are to take them to God in prayer. We need to get the greatest spiritual benefits out of them. Troubles can prove a blessing or a curse. It either draws us to prayer and to God or it drives us from God. He can turn all of these obstacles into blessings.

[Got His book? Read pages 67-68]
~ Keep Me and Keep All, Smith