Notes:
Aligning Ourselves with the Purposes of God See Session Slides Here
Mt.7:7-11. Often Paul speaks of himself as a pattern for believers. He is a pattern in many ways: in his revelation of truth, childlike faith, experience of the power of the indwelling Christ, devotion and love to Jesus, passion and boldness in missionary zeal, etc. Also in prayer. What can we learn from Paul’s prayer life?
Some popular concepts of prayer are unbiblical, unhelpful and not glorifying to God. We are not ‘storming the gates of heaven’. There is no such thing as ‘prayer that unlocks Heaven’. 2000 years ago Jesus unlocked heaven with 3 words ‘It is finished!’ Rom.8:32.
Insight: Eph.1:16-19. Paul prayed that we would know what we have already received. So we don’t ask:
- To be blessed. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing, He has given all things for life/ godliness
- For love, joy, peace, patience, etc. You have a living well inside you…draw from it.
- For material blessing. Seek first the God’s kingdom and righteousness and He will supply all our need
- For protection. Psa.91.
- For His presence. He said He will never leave you.
- For the anointing. You are anointed.
- For victory. You have it.
Asking God to give us what He has already given us is like sitting at a table full of food and complaining that we are hungry! Instead, ask Him to show you what He has given you. Then appropriate these by faith. Faith receives what grace supplies. Everything has been given by grace. Faith does not make God do more.
Insight: ‘…night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you’ (1 Thes.3:10-11). He prays that he might see them again and supply what was lacking in their faith. Their lack was not a result of their rebellion but ignorance. He hadn’t been with them long enough to impart what was necessary.
What about our daily needs? Daily bread? Circumstances? Mt.7:7-11. Notice that Jesus said:
1) Everyone who asks receives. But is that true? Or do some get lucky & others miss out? There is one way your prayers are guaranteed to be answered …when we ask for God’s will to be done, (1 John 5:14-15).
2) Our Father will give us ‘good’ things. There is a discrepancy between how Paul prayed and our prayers. Our prayers are often
- A ‘wish list’.
- A ‘fix list’.
Many, many times God does answer these prayers. But not these are not Paul’s themes and not always good for us. How do you know what’s good for you?
God provided a whole garden of fruit trees for Adam and Eve to partake from. But they were forbidden to eat from one tree. Then they were persuaded that the forbidden fruit was ‘good’’ (Gen.3:6).
Prayer is meant to be an environment where we receive the good that God has for us, not a place where we try to take something that is going to be bad for us. We want to pray ourselves and others out of things that God may want to use. Prayer is aligning myself with the purposes of God.
How do you know what is good or bad for you? Insight: (Rom.8:26&27).
Aaron and Hur a picture of the 2 divine intercessors.
Jesus our High Priest is on that side of heaven: ‘It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us’ Rom.8:34. The altar sanctifies the gift.
The Holy Spirit is on this side of heaven (i.e. earth): He helps us to pray according to the will of God.
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