Embracing Prayer: A Divine Privilege and Guide

 

Summary

In our exploration of the "means of grace," we have arrived at the profound subject of prayer. Prayer is not merely a tool to obtain grace but a divine privilege granted by God to deepen our relationship with Him and to serve Him faithfully. Reflecting on my own journey, I recall being approached to write a book on prayer, a task I felt unqualified for, as many seasoned Christians do. This sentiment is common; even the Apostle Paul acknowledged moments of uncertainty in prayer, as he expressed in Romans 8. During such times, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, illustrating God's understanding and support in our spiritual journey.

Prayer can be challenging, yet it is essential to remember that we are not alone in this struggle. The disciples themselves sought Jesus' guidance, asking Him to teach them to pray. Jesus responded with the Lord's Prayer, a model that not only instructs us on how to pray but also on how to live. This prayer emphasizes simplicity and sincerity, urging us to approach God as our heavenly Father, free from hypocrisy and anxiety.

The Lord's Prayer is a daily reminder of our dependence on God for provision, forgiveness, and guidance. It teaches us to align our prayers with God's promises, ensuring that our requests are grounded in His Word. This alignment is crucial, as it transforms our prayers from mere wishful thinking into expressions of faith rooted in divine assurance.

Moreover, the Lord's Prayer highlights the importance of community in prayer, as we are taught to pray "Our Father," recognizing our shared relationship with God through Christ. This communal aspect fosters unity and mutual support within the body of Christ.

Ultimately, prayer is an acknowledgment of our weakness and dependence on God. It is a humble admission that we cannot navigate life on our own and a plea for His strength and guidance. As we continue to seek His face, may we be ever mindful of our need for His grace and the transformative power of prayer in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Prayer as a Divine Privilege: Prayer is not a tool to manipulate God but a privilege to know Him better. It is a means of grace that allows us to participate in His divine purposes, even when words fail us. The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, ensuring that our prayers align with God's will. [02:36]

2. The Lord's Prayer as a Model for Life: The Lord's Prayer is not just a guide for prayer but a blueprint for living. It teaches us to seek God's glory, depend on Him for daily needs, and forgive others as we have been forgiven. This prayer encapsulates the essence of a life lived in communion with God. [06:48]

3. Intimacy and Reverence in Prayer: While prayer invites us into an intimate relationship with God, it also demands reverence. Addressing God as "Our Father" acknowledges both His closeness and His majesty, reminding us to approach Him with humility and awe. [11:59]

4. Praying God's Promises: Effective prayer is rooted in God's promises. By aligning our requests with His Word, we express faith in His faithfulness. This approach transforms prayer from a self-centered wish list into a powerful dialogue with the Creator. [19:48]

5. Acknowledging Our Weakness: Prayer is an admission of our dependence on God. Recognizing our weakness is the first step toward a vibrant prayer life. It is only when we acknowledge our need for Him that we truly learn to pray. [23:48]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:25] - Introduction to Means of Grace
- [01:00] - The Challenge of Writing on Prayer
- [01:52] - Common Struggles with Prayer
- [02:36] - The Spirit's Intercession
- [03:11] - God's Understanding and Support
- [04:24] - The Disciples' Request to Learn Prayer
- [05:25] - Jesus' Response: The Lord's Prayer
- [06:18] - Daily Dependence on God
- [07:32] - Returning to the Fundamentals
- [08:39] - Attitude and Approach in Prayer
- [09:04] - Deliverance from Hypocrisy and Anxiety
- [10:46] - Recognizing God's Nature
- [11:59] - Intimacy and Reverence
- [13:04] - Jesus' Relationship with the Father
- [14:46] - Confidence in God's Promises
- [16:44] - The Prayer of Faith
- [18:15] - Aligning Prayer with God's Promises
- [19:48] - Prayer as an Expression of Faith
- [20:49] - Daily Provision and Forgiveness
- [22:23] - The Depth of Forgiveness
- [23:48] - Prayer as an Acknowledgment of Weakness
- [24:12] - Conclusion and Call to Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Profound Subject of Prayer

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:26-27 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
2. Luke 11:1-4 - "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.' He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
3. Matthew 6:9-13 - "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.'"

Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:26-27, how does the Holy Spirit assist us in prayer during times of weakness? [02:36]
2. In Luke 11:1-4, what specific requests does Jesus include in the Lord's Prayer?
3. How does the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 emphasize both God's holiness and our daily needs?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the disciples' understanding of prayer before Jesus taught them the Lord's Prayer? [04:24]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Holy Spirit's intercession in Romans 8:26-27 provide comfort to believers who struggle with prayer? [02:36]
2. What does the communal language of "Our Father" in the Lord's Prayer suggest about the nature of prayer and our relationship with God? [12:33]
3. How does the Lord's Prayer serve as a model for both prayer and daily living according to the sermon? [06:48]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that acknowledging our weakness is essential for a vibrant prayer life? [23:48]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about how to pray. How can Romans 8:26-27 encourage you to rely on the Holy Spirit during such times? [02:36]
2. The Lord's Prayer emphasizes simplicity and sincerity. How can you incorporate these elements into your daily prayer routine? [09:04]
3. Consider the communal aspect of prayer. How can you foster a sense of unity and mutual support in your small group or church community through prayer? [12:33]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of aligning our prayers with God's promises. Identify a promise from Scripture that you can incorporate into your prayers this week. [19:48]
5. How can acknowledging your dependence on God transform your approach to prayer and daily life? [23:48]
6. Think of a specific area in your life where you need God's provision or guidance. How can you bring this need before God in prayer, trusting in His faithfulness? [20:49]
7. Reflect on your current prayer life. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God through prayer, as suggested by the sermon? [24:12]

Devotional

Day 1: Prayer as a Divine Privilege
Prayer is a divine privilege that allows believers to deepen their relationship with God and participate in His divine purposes. It is not a tool to manipulate God but a means of grace that connects us to His will. Even when words fail us, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf, ensuring that our prayers align with God's will. This intercession is a testament to God's understanding and support in our spiritual journey, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles with prayer. [02:36]

"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayers today, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or inadequate?


Day 2: The Lord's Prayer as a Model for Life
The Lord's Prayer serves as both a guide for prayer and a blueprint for living. It teaches believers to seek God's glory, depend on Him for daily needs, and forgive others as they have been forgiven. This prayer encapsulates the essence of a life lived in communion with God, emphasizing simplicity and sincerity. By aligning our prayers with God's promises, we transform them from mere wishful thinking into expressions of faith rooted in divine assurance. [06:48]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the principles of the Lord's Prayer into your daily routine to live a life more aligned with God's will?


Day 3: Intimacy and Reverence in Prayer
Prayer invites believers into an intimate relationship with God while also demanding reverence. Addressing God as "Our Father" acknowledges both His closeness and His majesty, reminding us to approach Him with humility and awe. This balance of intimacy and reverence is crucial in maintaining a healthy and vibrant prayer life, as it fosters a deeper connection with God and a greater understanding of His nature. [11:59]

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of both intimacy and reverence in your prayer life today?


Day 4: Praying God's Promises
Effective prayer is rooted in God's promises. By aligning our requests with His Word, we express faith in His faithfulness. This approach transforms prayer from a self-centered wish list into a powerful dialogue with the Creator. Praying God's promises ensures that our prayers are grounded in His truth, allowing us to experience the transformative power of prayer in our lives. [19:48]

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory." (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a promise from Scripture that speaks to your current situation. How can you incorporate this promise into your prayers today?


Day 5: Acknowledging Our Weakness
Prayer is an admission of our dependence on God. Recognizing our weakness is the first step toward a vibrant prayer life. It is only when we acknowledge our need for Him that we truly learn to pray. This humble admission allows us to rely on God's strength and guidance, transforming our prayers into powerful expressions of faith and trust in His divine plan. [23:48]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel weak or inadequate? How can you invite God into this area through prayer today?

Quotes


Prayer is not an isolated spiritual exercise -- we pray and we live in two different compartments. The truth of the matter is we live as we pray and we pray as we live, and so the Lord's Prayer, it's not only a basic manual of instruction about how to pray, it's a basic manual of instruction about how to live for God's glory in order that we may learn what it means to pray, and we should never lose sight of these two realities. [00:06:48]

There are times when we have cries in our hearts that words cannot express, and we simply do not know how to pray. So we should not despair if we feel, "I am finding it difficult to pray." Paul goes on to say, "You need to know that in those seasons the Spirit Himself makes intercession for the saints with groans that words cannot express." And he's giving us this wonderful picture of what it means to know God and to be in fellowship with Him as our heavenly Father, that He looks upon us in our weakness. [00:02:36]

And Jesus says when you come to know God as your heavenly Father, that two things begin to happen. One is you begin to be delivered from hypocrisy, that is, pretending to be something you're not. How does that happen? Because you know that your heavenly Father knows everything about you. He knows the worst about you, and if you can come to Him then you have no need to pretend to anyone else that you're something different or better than what you really are. [00:09:04]

And the other reality that it delivers us from is anxiety. "If you know your heavenly Father, then you know," says Jesus, "that He will take care of you," and for that reason when we come to God in prayer, simplicity is of the essence. We don't need to use big complex words. There are no big complex words in the Lord's Prayer. Jesus brings us down to the absolute essentials in which we are saying, "Heavenly Father, I want Your glory to be seen and I need Your help," and that's what Jesus goes on to teach. [00:09:48]

And this is the wonder of prayer that the heavenly Father has placed Himself in His Word under obligation to give us certain things, to provide for us certain blessings, and so amazingly and daringly and humbly we're able to come to Him and say to Him, "Father, You promised." You sometimes see that in the prayers of the Old Testament saints, don't you? They are not praying out of their own imagination. "Let me think up what would be good for God's kingdom." [00:19:48]

The prayer of faith was just Elijah coming to the heavenly Father and saying, "Heavenly Father, it's in Your Word, it's in Your promises that if we rebelled like this the heavens would be closed. They would be as grass and glass. The heavens would be closed and they would be as brass. The earth would become a famine. Now, great God, great covenant keeping God, I'm coming to you and I'm saying to you, God You promised it would be so, so may it be so." [00:16:44]

And it's in this that he was confident, not because he had unusual measures of faith that enabled him to imagine great things that God could do, but because he had faith that took hold of the promise of God he was able to come to God and say to Him, "You are our Father and You promised," and then the faith to believe that if He had promised and if Elijah asked then it must be so. What does that teach us? [00:18:15]

There is nothing in the Lord's Prayer that does not focus on what God has promised to be and to do. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come." How can we pray that with confidence? Well, because look at what's happening in the church. There are marvelous things happening in the church. Well, what do you say when there aren't marvelous things happening in the church? No, you pray, "Your kingdom come," because God has promised to bring in His kingdom. [00:19:08]

And then there's our need for pardon as we pray, that God will forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. And you see the logic of what... have you ever thought about what you're actually asking for there? You have the boldness to say to God, "God, find somebody else who will pay my debt because it must be paid." You're really praying what David prayed in Psalm 51, "Oh God! There is no sacrifice for this sin of mine. Find another sacrifice." [00:22:23]

Prayer is weakness. My dear friends, that's the church's greatest problem in the West. We don't realize how weak we really are and therefore we pray so little. And that's my problem as a Christian. I think I can do it and that makes me prayerless, and it's only when I realize how dependent I am on Him that I'll learn to pray. So, we want to say, "Lord, teach me how to pray." [00:23:48]

And the experience was, in a sense, an encouragement to me, because many Christian people tell me that they find prayer difficult, but sometimes they erroneously assume that because somebody seems to be an older Christian and a wiser Christian they therefore find prayer easy. Now, of course there are seasons in life when prayer is easier than at other times, but we need to understand that when we find prayer difficult, first of all we are not on our own. [00:01:52]

And so it went on and on, and I never did see him publishing a book on prayer. And the experience was, in a sense, an encouragement to me, because many Christian people tell me that they find prayer difficult, but sometimes they erroneously assume that because somebody seems to be an older Christian and a wiser Christian they therefore find prayer easy. Now, of course there are seasons in life when prayer is easier than at other times, but we need to understand that when we find prayer difficult, first of all we are not on our own. [00:01:52]

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Transcript
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