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Introduction
The Holy Spirit graciously recognizes there are times when we just do
not know what to pray for. In those times we are encouraged to know
that: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom.
8:26). I recall my
Dad mentioning this in His prayer, and then He said something similar
to: “but when we follow the example of the Lord in His prayers, we are
always right”. This leads to two basic questions:
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1) |
What would He pray for? |
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2) |
What would He not pray for? |
What Would He Pray For?
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When we read the prayers of the Lord several matters come into
focus, for He prayed that: |
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1) |
The purposes of Satan would be hindered. (Matt. 6:13) |
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2) |
The disciples would pray in view of the kingdom. (Matt. 6:10) |
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3) |
The disciples would learn to put their trust in God for the
necessities of life. (Matt. 6:11) |
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4) |
The disciples would fulfill the will of God with purity of
motive and goal. (Jn. 17:15) |
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5) |
By His example the disciples would learn to pray for the
unsaved. (Lk. 23:34) |
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6) |
For the unity of the saints. (Jn. 17:11-21) |
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7) |
For the Lord of the harvest to send forth reapers. (Matt. 9:38) |
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8) |
They would pray that others, not yet born, would be made one.
(Jn. 17:20) |
What Would He Not Pray For?
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There are things the Lord would never pray personally for, and
this is important when reading some of the Messianic Psalms. It
must be remembered that not everything in those Psalms reflects
the Messiah. If we take Psalm 69, which is definitely one of
the sixteen messianic Psalms, this Psalm is quoted seven times
in the New Testament and deals with Messiah’s rejection,
reproach, and restoring work. Yet, there are matters mentioned
for which He would never pray.
They are: |
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1) |
For vengeance on those who hated Him as the Psalmist did (Psa.
69:22-24), but He prayed the very opposite (Lk. 23:34). |
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2) |
He never could confess the sin of foolishness (Psa. 69:5), for
in Him dwelt all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col.
2:3). |
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3) |
He could never confess personal sin (Psa. 69:5), for He did no
sin (2 Cor. 5:21). |
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4) |
To be
delivered from the evil (Matt.
6:13),
for there was nothing in Him that the prince of this world could
latch onto (Jn. 14:30). |
Where Did He Pray?
I
suppose many of us have a place for prayer, our closet (Matt.
6:6), but it does not necessarily have to be a certain place,
although ofttimes it is. I recall my dear old grandmother who
lived in a tiny home in Belfast. There was no place to go to be
alone, so she would sit with her apron thrown over her head and
pray out loud. That was her closet. Was she wrong? I ask:
“where did the Lord pray?” and I find that His closet was in a
variety of places?
At times it was: |
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1) |
In
the wilderness (Lk. 5:16) |
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2) |
On
the mountain (Lk. 6:12; 9:28) |
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3) |
In
the garden (Lk. 22:39-46) |
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4) |
In
a cemetery (Jn. 11:41-42) |
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5) |
In
the River Jordan (Lk. 3:21) |
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6) |
Undisclosed place (Lk. 11:1) |
These were His closets. It is not necessarily a
certain place, but any place where we are uninterrupted, and alone with
God, our Father.
These were times where the Lord and God His Father were alone.
There were also times when He prayed publicly.
For instance: |
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1) |
Either
in the upper room or en route to Gethsemane before entering the
garden. (Jn.17:1-26) |
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2) |
At
the grave of Lazarus. (Jn. 11:41) |
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3) |
On
the cross.
(Lk. 23:34; Matt. 27:46; Lk. 23:46) |
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Thankfully,
today there is
no
such a place as the “place to worship” (Jn. 4:23), neither is
there a hallowed area “place to pray”; for worship and prayer is
a spirit experience. What a comforting truth this is. |
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1) |
Daniel prayed before an open window. (Dan. 6:10) |
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2) |
Moses and Elijah prayed on mountains. (Ex. 32:11; 1 Kgs.
18:36-37) |
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3) |
Lydia was at the riverside, the place of prayer. (Acts 16:13) |
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4) |
Paul prayed in a prison. (Eph. 1:16-19; 4:1) |
I recall
a little chorus I heard many years ago from Child Evangelism Fellowship,
and the words were:
Did you
ever talk to God above? Tell Him that you need a friend to love.
Pray in Jesus’ name believing that God answers prayer.
Have you told Him all your cares and woes? Every tiny little fear He
knows.
You can know He’ll always hear, And He will answer prayer.
You can whisper in a crowd to Him. You can cry when you’re alone to
Him.
You don’t have to pray out loud to Him, He knows your thoughts.
On a lofty mountain peak, He’s there; In a meadow by a stream, He’s
there.
Anywhere on earth you go, He's been there from the start.
Find the answer in His Word, it’s true. You’ll be strong because He
walks with you.
By His faithfulness He’ll change you too. God answers prayer.
Frances Towle Rath
May
God grant us good understanding as He, by His Holy
Spirit, deigns to guide us into all truth.
John 16:13
Copyright © 2012 by Rowan Jennings, Abbotsford,
British Columbia
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