Christian Living

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Does God hear and answer our prayers?

●What Should Be The Focus Of Prayer?

Should It Be Centered On What We Pray For?

When Jesus prayed what did he pray for?

CHAPTER 4

What Should Be The Focus Of Prayer?

A. Should It Be Centered On What We Pray For?

I think that for many in the church what is prayed for is probably considered the key aspect of prayer. Should it be? Many would say yes, because they don’t have any other reason to say that this should not be so.

Here is something for you to think about. If the focus of prayer should be on what is prayed for, then this intimates that God hears whatever it is that we bring before Him. Right? Does God hear every prayer request? If the answer is yes, then all that is left for Him to determine is whether He will answer the request. If the answer is no, then why not?

The reason why God doesn’t answer our prayers is because in some cases he doesn’t even hear them. This doesn’t mean that he is deaf, but what it does mean is that it has something to do with the heart attitude, the motive behind the prayer. And by the way this was the case for both the Old and New Testament saints.

Psalms 66:18 says that if I am aware of iniquity (worldly thoughts, corrupt desires, and iniquitous purposes) in my life, but am unwilling to confess and forsake it, God will not hear (answer; listen to) my prayer.

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

James 4:3 says when we ask for certain things in prayer, and they are not granted by God the reason for His response is because these requests are asked from wrong motives with a view toward self-indulgence and carnal gratification.

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

The key aspect of prayer is not what we pray for, but whether our mental attitude, speech, or actions are godly. Before you pray to God the Father you should simply be self-reflective of your thoughts, words, and actions. If you are aware that you have been occupied with worldly thoughts or have engaged in carnal speech or have committed an ungodly action toward someone, then confess (admit wrong) to God the Father. For any inappropriate action you should also confess this fault to the person you have offended.

As we build ourselves up according to God’s perspective of us something else happens in regards to our prayers as revealed in the book of Jude.

Praying in the Holy Ghost

Jude 20

The apostle John was speaking to the divinely loved ones, instructing them to build themselves up (establish themselves more firmly) in the most holy faith (in the belief of the doctrines). Another way to say this is if the believers were to choose to build up themselves in all that God had done for them in salvation, they would become partakers of the divine nature. And with this in mind he concludes by saying, “praying in the Holy Ghost” meaning that if you follow my advice your prayers will be motivated and empowered by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Again prayer should not be based on just what is prayed for, but on our responsibility to build ourselves up with the result being that we will be motivated and empowered by the Spirit.

With that said, now we are ready to try to answer the question, what should we pray for when we pray?

Before we take a look at this I want you to consider a couple of thoughts. I wonder how many of us when we have prayed have asked God for a healing or financial assistance? I know I have. I’m not saying this is wrong. I believe that as long as we are rightly related to God when we pray we can ask for these things. However, what I would like you to consider is that I’m sure that our fellow believers in the early church had these same concerns. I wonder what they prayed for.

We will initially look at what Jesus prayed for while He was on earth. Should what He prayed for be what we should pray for? Before we draw a conclusion, let’s find out what He prayed for.

B. When Jesus prayed what did he pray for?

We will begin by taking a brief look at some of the earlier sections that we looked at when we were asking when, how often, and how long did Jesus pray for? If we were to look at any new scripture sections, then we will add them to the end of this list.

Jesus prayed to the Father three times for the same thing, when He was in Gethsemane? What did He pray for?

Gethsemane

Suggested Reading: Matthew 26:36-45

Jesus was in Gethsemane with his three disciples. He separated Himself from them and prayed to the Father three times with the same request. What did he pray for? He prayed that if it were possible to let this cup pass from him. Some suggest that he was asking the Father if there was any way out of going to the cross. I don’t believe this was the case.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. (Matthew 26:39,42,44)

I think the answer to this question is found in Luke 22:41-44.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

What was taking place in the Garden of Gethsemane was an intense spiritual battle. Satan and his demonic hosts were trying to infiltrate Jesus mind and affect his physical well-being with the intention of preventing him from going forward in the Father’s plan. His physical condition of sweating great drops of blood coincided with great emotional stress. The cup of suffering that he was asking the Father to remove was actually a request to provide for Him divine assistance so he could make it through this bombardment of evil projections. And as the scriptures indicate Jesus prayer was answered. An angel arrived on the scene and provided Him with divine refreshment.

Jesus prayed to the Father when he was on the cross? Did He pray for vengeance upon those who put him there?

Then said Jesus:

Suggested Reading: Luke 23:33-46

Jesus was placed on a cross, sentenced to die for blasphemy, claiming to be someone, who according to the Jews, he was not. While on the cross He prayed to the Father, forgive them.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

This is similar to the prayer that the deacon Stephen made, when he was being stoned by the Jews.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60)

If we were to put these thoughts together then to “forgive” means (to give up a debt; to not impute sin so as to exact punishment). This prayer was made to God the Father to forgive those, who were guilty, albeit in ignorance of not knowing who He was, in putting Him to death.

What we will look at in the next section is, why did Jesus say to Peter that he prayed for him?

I prayed for thee:

Luke 22:31-32

The disciples became aware that one of them would betray Jesus. They were also made aware of a future kingdom, where there would be thrones. This caused them to wonder, which of them would be the greatest, be given the highest position, in this kingdom. During this time Jesus spoke to Peter and told him that Satan has desired to have all of the disciples by putting them through difficult times. As for him Jesus said that he had prayed for him that his faith would not perish. He let him know that in the not so distant future he would betray Him three times, but also reminded him to not despair, because eventually he would be converted (turn around; be restored). And when that happens, He urges him to go forward and strengthen (stablish) the brethren.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

In the book of Matthew Jesus provided the disciples instructions as to what they should pray for.

Pray for them:

Matthew 5:44

Jesus was teaching his disciples. One of things he said to them in regard to prayer was that when they are despitefully (to injure by prosecution in law; to wantonly and unjustly accuse, and to injure in any way) used and persecuted (religious persecution; repeated injurious acts) by others, they should pray that (the wicked should return to a sound mind; they may not perish; they endeavor to promote their salvation) to God the Father for them.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Likewise in the book of Luke Jesus is instructing seventy men as to what they should pray to the Father for.

Sent them two by two:

Luke 10:1-2

Jesus is sending out 70 men to go into the cities and villages letting them know of His coming and kingdom. He asked them to pray to the Lord ('the master of the crop'; the owner of the crop on the fields who is responsible for the harvesting) for more laborers to join them.

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

The final prayer we will look at is one of the most beautiful prayers of Jesus that he made to the Father in regards to the 12 apostles.

For them thou hast given me:

Suggested Reading: John 17:6-15

Jesus was celebrating the Passover with the 12 apostles. In this account he engages in a dialogue with them. As they heard him talk in parables some of them ask him if he could simply talk plainly so they could understand what he was saying. At some point while Jesus is in their midst He prayed to God the Father on their behalf.

What he said in effect was this. Father you have used me to reveal to these 12 men a total revelation of you in the ministry you have given me. I pray for them that they might have my joy (which comes from transformation, answered prayer, and the word) realized in their life. I also pray that you wouldn’t remove them out from the world when they are going through trials and persecutions, but that you would give them grace (assistance; divine strength) so that may be able to: endure trials and be sustained amidst them; resist temptation; remain faithful and not apostatize; trust in your protection while they witness for me; stand against the influences of the evil one, the Devil.

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:6,9,13,15)

Here is a brief recap of what Jesus prayed for or what he instructed others to pray for.

~ Jesus prayed to the Father in Gethsemane for assistance in this intense spiritual battle, whose design was to impact Him both mentally and physically so that he would be unable to go forward in the Father’s plan. His request was answered in the form of an angel, who arrived on the scene and provided him with divine refreshment. Matthew 26:36-45

~ Jesus prayed to God the Father to forgive ((to give up a debt; to not impute sin so as to exact punishment) those, who were guilty, albeit in ignorance, not knowing who He was, in putting Him to death. Luke 23:33-46

~ Jesus prays for Peter that his faith fail not regardless of the soon to be decision by him to betray Him three times. He encourages him by letting him know that he will eventually be restored and be used by Him to strengthen (stablish) the brethren. Luke 22:31-32

~ Jesus is instructing his disciples letting them know that the time will come when they will be unjustly accused or persecuted in a court of law for their faith. When this happens they should pray not only to God the Father that He not punish them, but that also the attackers might return to a right mind so that they might respond favorably to the salvation offered, when the opportunity arose. Matthew 5:44

~ Jesus is asking those, who are being sent out to make known His coming and kingdom to those people residing in the city and everywhere else, to pray to the Father for more laborers to join them. Luke 10:1-2

~ Jesus prayer to God the Father for the apostles was twofold. That they might have His joy (which comes from transformation, answered prayer, and the word) realized in their life. That He would give them grace (assistance; divine strength) so that would be able to: endure trials and be sustained amidst them; resist temptation; remain faithful and not apostatize; trust in your protection while they witness for me; stand against the influences of the evil one, the Devil. Luke 10:1-2

That was interesting. Do you think that we might pray in regard to any of these prayers for our fellow believers or for ourselves?

In the next and final sub-section we will look at what was prayed for by those, who were in the assembly of the early church. I think that this will be eye opening both for you and for me. Hopefully, when this is done we will have available to us a rich portfolio of prayer requests that we should not only become familiar with, but utilize when we present ourselves before the Father in prayer.

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