Thoughts on Prayer: Part II
Thoughts on Prayer: Part II
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:26
Is it how I pray?
As was mentioned in the previous note, too many people focus on form when it comes to prayer. Too many people are Charismatic when it comes to the idea of prayer, and this is more than just simple error.
Far too many people feel guilty when they think their prayer is not as "deep" as it should be. Too many focus on how they feel, rather than what is going on. Is this a feeling based thing, as in, how one behaves in both their body and their mind? How is one to pray?
The answer to the question, "How should we pray to God?" is answered with the above verse. As humans beings, in our depraved bodies, we really don't know how to pray to Almighty God. How could we? How can an old piece of computer hardware work in a brand new computer? For this example, it can't! It is like putting a 1999 video card into a 2011 desktop. It won't work. It is too old. It isn't compatible. So, what are we to do? When it comes to saying the "right" prayer, we can do nothing. Thus the work of the Holy Spirit, Who "intercedes for us". This of course strikes the theories of those who claim a work-based salvation, and drops it right there. If we can't even talk to God on our own, how could we ever save ourselves by our own works, which is "like a filthy garment" (Isa. 64:6)?
In fact, when before God, Isaiah affirms that he has "unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). So, if our works are filthy, and our lips unclean, how could we ever expect to talk to God in and of ourselves? "Well" some might say, "He accepts the dirty sinner for who he is, and doesn't even see this filth." Really? So then, the work of Christ was useless? Why did Christ die? To save filthy unclean sinners (Rom. 5:6). So, if He died for us, who is it really that lives in us? It is now Christ Who lives in us (Gal. 2:20). But why do I still sin? We don't! If Christ lives in us, how can we sin? "But I see it every day!" But if that is you, where is the old man? It is no longer I who sin (Rom. 7:17).
So now the question comes, am I the one who is praying? Should I worry about how I pray?
Yes and no. We do not know how we ought to pray (Rom. 8:26). This is because we still are on this earth, living in a body of depravity. Our minds are not "100%". We still die. We are not perfect [yet (see Phil. 3:12)]. So, yes, we do pray in the sense that we are commanded to (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Yet, it isn't really I that bring this prayer before God (Rom. 8:26). But, this is too confusing!
"Christ is both God and man. He is Omniscient, yet "increased in wisdom" (Luke 2:52). He was Almighty, yet was "crucified through weakness" (2 Cor. 13:4). He was the Prince of life, yet He died. High mysteries are these, yet Faith receives them unquestioningly" (Arthur W. Pink).
Wording
What of our words? Should we speak in old English? Should we speak in tongues? Many Charismatic-like "prayers", as well as many pastors who claim to be "intellectual", would say "Yes!" After all, the longer the prayer, the better, right? Haha... Wrong.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matt. 6:7-8).
This not only takes down "The more you pray, the better" statement, but also "group prayer power".
"of their many words". This is the main reason behind the idea that, the more people pray, the more the power there is in the prayer itself. In fact, God laughs at the "grouping" attempts of mankind, when it thinks it can make a difference with number (Ps. 2:1-4). And, not only this, but He becomes angry as well (vs. 5).
True Prayer
True prayer is not seen in the wording (though it is something in which we bring our best, seeing as we are coming before God). It is not seen in our numbers.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:9-14.
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." - Romans 8:26
Is it how I pray?
As was mentioned in the previous note, too many people focus on form when it comes to prayer. Too many people are Charismatic when it comes to the idea of prayer, and this is more than just simple error.
Far too many people feel guilty when they think their prayer is not as "deep" as it should be. Too many focus on how they feel, rather than what is going on. Is this a feeling based thing, as in, how one behaves in both their body and their mind? How is one to pray?
The answer to the question, "How should we pray to God?" is answered with the above verse. As humans beings, in our depraved bodies, we really don't know how to pray to Almighty God. How could we? How can an old piece of computer hardware work in a brand new computer? For this example, it can't! It is like putting a 1999 video card into a 2011 desktop. It won't work. It is too old. It isn't compatible. So, what are we to do? When it comes to saying the "right" prayer, we can do nothing. Thus the work of the Holy Spirit, Who "intercedes for us". This of course strikes the theories of those who claim a work-based salvation, and drops it right there. If we can't even talk to God on our own, how could we ever save ourselves by our own works, which is "like a filthy garment" (Isa. 64:6)?
In fact, when before God, Isaiah affirms that he has "unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5). So, if our works are filthy, and our lips unclean, how could we ever expect to talk to God in and of ourselves? "Well" some might say, "He accepts the dirty sinner for who he is, and doesn't even see this filth." Really? So then, the work of Christ was useless? Why did Christ die? To save filthy unclean sinners (Rom. 5:6). So, if He died for us, who is it really that lives in us? It is now Christ Who lives in us (Gal. 2:20). But why do I still sin? We don't! If Christ lives in us, how can we sin? "But I see it every day!" But if that is you, where is the old man? It is no longer I who sin (Rom. 7:17).
So now the question comes, am I the one who is praying? Should I worry about how I pray?
Yes and no. We do not know how we ought to pray (Rom. 8:26). This is because we still are on this earth, living in a body of depravity. Our minds are not "100%". We still die. We are not perfect [yet (see Phil. 3:12)]. So, yes, we do pray in the sense that we are commanded to (1 Thess. 5:16-18). Yet, it isn't really I that bring this prayer before God (Rom. 8:26). But, this is too confusing!
"Christ is both God and man. He is Omniscient, yet "increased in wisdom" (Luke 2:52). He was Almighty, yet was "crucified through weakness" (2 Cor. 13:4). He was the Prince of life, yet He died. High mysteries are these, yet Faith receives them unquestioningly" (Arthur W. Pink).
Wording
What of our words? Should we speak in old English? Should we speak in tongues? Many Charismatic-like "prayers", as well as many pastors who claim to be "intellectual", would say "Yes!" After all, the longer the prayer, the better, right? Haha... Wrong.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (Matt. 6:7-8).
This not only takes down "The more you pray, the better" statement, but also "group prayer power".
"of their many words". This is the main reason behind the idea that, the more people pray, the more the power there is in the prayer itself. In fact, God laughs at the "grouping" attempts of mankind, when it thinks it can make a difference with number (Ps. 2:1-4). And, not only this, but He becomes angry as well (vs. 5).
True Prayer
True prayer is not seen in the wording (though it is something in which we bring our best, seeing as we are coming before God). It is not seen in our numbers.
True prayer is talking with God. As a song that I rather like states, "Come lay
your heavy load down at the
Master’s feet, your shame
will be removed, your joy
will be complete." He is not only our God and Lord, Master and King, but our Savior and Father. Who better to vent our troubles to than He? We don't treat Him as anyone, but neither do we treat prayer as though it is a ritualistic, formal event, in which one is required to be either great in words, or great in number, lest God not hear. It is truly bringing all to Him Who judges righteously. After all, who else could bring anything into being anyway? Thus, it must not be forgotten Who He is, not what He has done. It is the work of Christ, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit [all being part of the Godhead] that allows us to pray. Not our work, nor out brilliance, and it is most certainly not our well meaning. That is why it is truly "In Jesus' Name".
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:9-14.
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