blog# 24, Jesus...and prayer

blog #24, Jesus... and “prayer,” in the gospels

The Hebrew word for prayer is tefilah, and its English form “prayer,” is located 114 times in the King James Version. In Hebrew and Christian thought, prayer consists of 2 elements. First, it involves supplication or petition, and secondly, it involves thanksgiving or praise. There are also forms of corporate (group), and individual prayer. Jesus made reference to individual prayer in Matthew 6:6, and used the word “secret” to define that individual form of prayer. He also used the terms “closet” and “door” in regard to secret prayer. It may be that this was an allusion to prayer made under the prayer shawl.

The first *recorded prayer I found in the bible with an answer, was Abraham’s prayer for Abimelech and his house in Genesis 20:7, and Genesis 20:17. It resulted in “healing.”

Elements of prayer are shown in verses like Nehemiah 1:6, which indicate that confession of known individual sins, or group sins of believers, are part of corporate or individual prayers. The wording of Psalm 39:12, hints that prayers mixed with tears (godly sorrow), can bring quick response. Psalm 65:3 relates that eventually “all flesh” will pray to God. According to Proverbs 15:8, God delights in the prayer of the upright, and then in Proverbs 15:29, He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

I have no memory of reading any verses in the 4 Gospels, where Jesus ever told his disciples to pray to himself. I often have heard Christians pray to Jesus, and have even heard media religious leaders use that same manner of petition and praise to Jesus. I know that people approached Jesus according to Gospel accounts, and made many requests, for healing, deliverance, and help. But, his method of theology was very much aligned with Judaism. He always said and did things to direct people toward Father God, rather than himself.

What then did he actually teach about prayer and worship? Did he tell people to pray to idols, images, angels or deceased and holy people? Or did he teach them to pray to the God of Israel, his Father?

The Christian Bible gives abundance of verses, which indicate exactly what Jesus explained. Your Father which seeth in secret shall reward you openly ( Matthew 6:4). And to whom did he teach men should pray? Pray to thy Father which is in secret (Matthew 6:6). And what manner of address? Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9).

Jesus mentioned that men should pray to the One in heaven, saying: One is your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 23:9). He further informed his immediate followers about prayer agreements; saying, anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:19).

That statement when correctly interpreted, must take into account, the words of 1John 5:14-15, “that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

Because Christians embrace the doctrine of a Triune God, or a Trinity of separate god persons, maybe it makes some sense to them, that separateness and equality, are features of each person, and it matters not to them to whom they pray. But Jesus always taught in harmony with Jewish thought and tradition. His manner was always about the Heavenly Father, and himself being a servant empowered by God. The same view was projected among his followers.

In one example about prayer, the following observation is noted about accusations of idolatry among Christians, by Jews who pray only to One. “Some authorities also distinguish between Catholic and Protestant forms of Christianity, the latter being considered as less idolatrous” (Encyclopedia of the Jewish Religion). When prayers are made to Jesus, and statues or images are employed, it is not hard at all to understand why Jews would conclude that idolatry.

The subject is vast, but for practical purposes, here is a simple outline to help people know some things about prayer.

Places to effectively pray-God’s House- the assembly, a most likely place to pray
(1Kings 8:29, Isaiah 56:7). At Gods altar -Solomon made prayer and supplication kneeling before the altar of the Lord (1Kings 8:54), in trouble or some unlikely
places (Jonah 2:7-8, belly of hell), on a mountain (Mark 6:46), in a solitary spot
(Mark 1:35).

Have a time to pray, morning prayer (Psalm 5:3), hour of prayer (Acts 3:1),
pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17), This means be instantly ready to pray in any situation, when possible to do so in a sensible and safe manner.

Reasons to pray, spiritual communication and talks with God (1Corin. 14:4, and Jude 1:20), watchfulness for church leaders and holy people (Ephesians 6:18), prayer for necessary “things” (Mark 11:24), prayer with faith and anointing for healing the sick (James 5:14-15), prayer for Israel and the Jews (Psalm 122:8), prayer for governmental leaders and nations (1Timothy 2:12).

But what about unanswered prayers?
Not praying according to God’s specific will (see 1John 5:14 and 1John 3:22).
Praying wrongly regarding someone whom God is chastising for sins, or whom the heavenly Father is busy correcting (see Jeremiah 7:16 and Jer. 11:14). When
faith is being tested on a matter and patience is needed (Hebrews 10:35-36)

An example of how Jesus prayed.
Hebrews 5:7: “who in the days of his flesh when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”

* There may be earlier biblical hints of “prayer,” such as, men walking with God, or men beginning to call on the name of the Lord, or men building altars unto the Lord, or Abraham falling on his face before the Lord, or Abraham pleading for the righteous of Sodom. But the account of Abraham praying for Abimelech and his entire household, specifically mentions the word “pray” and “prayer,” and also shows the answer to that prayer (see Genesis 20:7 and Genesis 20:17)