November 2009 - Prayer
By Gayle Hoone
I've been thinking lately, why don't we pray together?
Maybe it's because we don't have the "right words." Or, maybe it's because we're
anxious about what others will think. And, maybe it's because we are sure someone will
mock us, humiliate us. Maybe it's because we're steeped [soaked, immersed, drenched,
submerged, and saturated] with fears. Or, maybe it's because we're filled with shame
[disgrace and dishonor]. And, maybe, just maybe we don't pray together because…
prayer is too intimate!
I think prayer is the most intimate thing we do, more intimate than sex. Though we think we pray from our mind that is our attitudes, beliefs, judgments, even criticisms, prayer actually has its origination in our soul-heart. When we pray with or for
others it peeks [previews, glances] into our inner condition. It either exposes, or attempts to cover, our inner man’s state.
Therefore, prayer is risky. It makes us vulnerable especially if…
1. Our soul-heart has been trampled upon, and hardened with scar tissue that protects the infected wounds, I most likely will not pray. I will consciously or unconsciously turn away from Elohim [Father, Son, Holy Spirit]. My mind will join with the scar tissue as pride [arrogant, conceited, pleasure seeking]. Praying with others surely will threaten my protective independence.
2. Our soul-heart has no root dug deep down wrapped around The Moistening Word, I have but a surface experience with
The Cross of Christ. When trials and temptations come I will tend to withdraw and stand aloof from prayer. I am so spiritually
dehydrated I find prayer uninteresting. To join with others in prayer is tedious, and monotonous.
3. There are thorns in my soul-heart, I am starving for the Bread of Life, the Water of the Word, the Light that gives life. My soul-heart is choked, and suffocating. Life’s circumstances, the cares that produce anxieties, the pleasures that seek riches,
overwhelm me. My daily routine is over-crowded, and this world’s materialistic pursuits distract me. There is no time for
prayer, and surely no desire to pray with others. Though I might seek a friend when in crisis.
James Montgomery wrote…
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublime strains that reach
The Majesty on high.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, “Behold, he prays!”
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heaven with prayer.
O Thou, by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way;
The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!
I think there are four things, maybe five, that are needed:
1. Someone to lead, demonstrate, model, and nurture us in prayer = Solomon led people in prayer for a variety of situations-
2 Chronicles: crime 6.22-23; enemy attacks 6.24-25; drought 6.26-27; famine 6.28-31; war 6.34-35; sin 6.36-39.
2. Someone to teach me giving me an understanding of what prayer does = a leader and the prople knew God's blessings so
they humbled themselves before GOD and prayed - Ezra 8.1-36.
3. Certainly an uncritical acceptance by another that develops trust = disciples in company with each other entered into
prayer Acts 1.14; 4.24.
4. And surely with bond and trust established praying with another eventually exposes the wounds of my inner man for healing
= HE does not ignore those who cry to HIM…The LORD is close to all who call on HIM, yes, to all who call on HIM
sincerely. Psalms 9.12; 145.18 - we can be confident that HE will listen to us whenever we ask HIM for anything in line
with HIS will (Word). John 5.14.
5. And, experimenting with spontaneous prayer = don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Philippians 4.6 -
keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Matthew 7.7 - if you need wisdom-if you want to know what
God wants you to do-ask him, and he will gladly tell you. James 1.5 - the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great
power and wonderful results. James 5.16.
For Thy perfect wisdom and perfect goodness:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest mankind:
For the love wherewith Thou lovest me:
For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life:
For the indwelling of Thy Spirit in my heart:
For the sevenfold gifts of Thy Spirit:
I praise and worship Thee, O Lord.
John Baillie’s A Diary of Private Prayer
So lets be: persistence [diligent, persevering] in prayer Luke 18.1-8
with simple (uncomplicated) and humble (making daily action in) prayer Luke 18.10-14
but tenacious [persistent, insistent, determined, and stubborn] in prayer Luke 11.5-8
Did you know: Corporate (with a fellowship of believers) prayer is an element of worship Nehemiah 2.4; 4.4
GOD said where two or three are gathered in HIS Name HE is in the midst of us
GOD said that one in prayer puts a 1,000 (enemies) to flight but two puts 10,000 (enemies) to flight
if my people
who are called by MY Name
will humble themselves
and pray and
seek MY face (Words)…
2 Chronicles 7.14
