WHAT IS PRAYER?
I think it is a shame that the dictionary knows more about prayer than most children of God! Webster says that to pray is "to offer a devout petition, praise, thanks, etc. to God." Each of these elements is in the example of an acceptable prayer that Jesus gave us. (Luke 11:1-4) In contrast let me quote word for word a "prayer" that I have heard so often I know it by heart. "Father, we pray for our elders, our deacons, our song leader, our preacher, our Bible class teachers and all our members." I don't know what this is but I know it is not a prayer! What is this brother asking God for? "We pray for" is not praise, thanksgiving or a petition. The brother believes that he is covering all those in the congregation that the Bible says he should pray for but he forgot to pray! Let me give you some examples of what prayer must be.
When Jesus prayed he asked
God for something specific:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter." (John 16:16)
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one..." (John 17:20-21)
When Paul requested the
prayers of the brethren he needed a specific:
"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you." (2 Thess. 3:1)
Instead of "we pray for the sick" (Pray what for the sick?) James said:
"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him ... and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." (James 5: 14-15)
When Christians sin prayer
was specific to the need God could fill:
"Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." (James 5:16)
"Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray
God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." (Acts 8: 22)
Even the sinner Simon
understood the specific nature of prayer:
"Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord
for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." (Acts 8: 24)
And finally even prayers
concerning governments were specific:
"For kings, and for all that are in authority; that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life." (1 Timothy 2: 1-2)
When we learn from God's Word that there are certain specific things we should pray for that does not mean that every prayer is to contain all of these subjects. If you have not heard babes in Christ complain that they cannot follow the public prayers because too many different subjects are mentioned you are just not listening! Who taught these prayer leaders that they are to follow a checklist and make sure they cover everything the scriptures say should be prayed for in every prayer? No wonder our public prayers sound scripted not to mention that they are too long for anyone, not only the new Christians, to follow with their hearts. Many years ago my grandfather was leading a prayer during one of my dad's gospel meetings. His prayer was just like those you hear in every service. The difference this time was that one of my younger brothers was sitting on his grandmother's lap and finally had had enough. Even with her hand over his mouth the entire assembly could hear him say, "Amen grandpa, Amen. Amen grandpa, Amen." From the mouths of babes!!!
Scriptural prayer is not only specific but it also must be from the heart. Mr. Vine says the heart is "the deep seat of emotions." It is rare to hear such in our worship services. Why? Just think about it. A schedule is written for those to participate in the next month's services. Because of this the one to lead the prayer is not going to talk to God about a burden he feels or a blessing he is thankful for but is fulfilling an assigned task in that days service. Not only has he been taught that certain things should be prayed for but he also feels the responsibility of leading the congregation in a prayer that is generic enough that all can relate to. Over a period of time there are only so many ways he can phrase his prayer to cover all of these elements. So we hear all the subjects covered, in exactly the same words, over and over and over. Before you accuse me of being too critical of those who lead the public prayer you need to understand me. It is not the leaders fault that his prayer is not what God expects. It is not his fault that his prayer is neither scriptural nor effective. It is not his fault that he is expected to do the impossible. He is only doing what he is asked to do and is following a tradition that spans over 75 years (at least in white churches.) Brethren, it is impossible to schedule or even call on someone to pray and expect them to pray from their deep seat of emotions. We created the problem and it is our responsibility to correct it.
If you can find a "prayer leader" in the 1st century church I will show you the piano player in the same passage! But it is just not there!!! Prayer was always from ones seat of emotion, the heart, to their God and was always thanksgiving, praise or a petition for need. (Recently I heard a preacher condemn emotion in worship because it would lead to things that are unscriptural. Let me tell you, any act of worship that is without emotion is already unscriptural! That's what from the heart means.) In the early church one prayed their own thanksgiving or petition and at other times they asked someone to pray for them but never was one assigned, scheduled or called on. Never was one brother the "prayer leader" and the rest of the assembly expected to listen. Never were Christians forbidden to audibly pray for themselves in the worship of the Saints by the unscriptural use of "decently and in order!" Brethren, listen to me: When the 1st century church came together everything they did was to edify or build up those saints in attendance and the prayers of the saints was one of the most important elements. The pattern for worship as revealed in 1 Corinthians 14 was one of participation and not observation. Prayer from ones "seat of emotion" cannot be scheduled and should never be restricted or discouraged. When your congregation begins to follow the N.T. pattern for worship and every member is encouraged to pray when they feel the need then and only then will they be able to sing from the heart:
Sweet hour of
prayer! Sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me
from a world of care,
And bids me at
my Father's throne
Make all my
wants and wishes known;
In seasons of
distress and grief
My soul has
often found relief,
And oft escaped
the tempter's snare,
By thy return,
sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of
prayer! Sweet hour of prayer,
The joy I feel,
the bliss I share
Of those whose
anxious spirits burn
With strong
desire for thy return!
With such I
hasten to the place
Where God, my
Savior, shows his face,
And gladly take
my station there,
And wait for
thee, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of
prayer! Sweet hour of prayer,
Thy wings shall
my petition bear
To him whose
truth and faithfulness
Engage the
waiting soul to bless;
And since He
bids me seek His face,
Believe His
word, and trust His grace,
I'll cast on
Him my every care,
And wait for
thee, sweet hour of prayer.
To be continued.
The Parson